Spring is in the air, and our thoughts turn to outdoor entertaining. Hardscaping–the fantastic non-organic elements of your outdoor spaces–is trending big time. It’s a piece that more landscaping companies are adding to their repertoires with stunning results. Combining harmonious hardscapes and landscapes for fabulous outdoor living is one of our favorite trends of the decade. There are lots of hardscaping options for every budget. One question we hear is whether pavers or poured concrete are best for patio and walkway spaces. Concrete pavers crafted to look like natural materials are hot, but poured concrete remains a popular and affordable option. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of both materials.
What Are The Pros and Cons of a Poured Concrete Patio?
Poured concrete slabs offer flexibility and affordability. Contemporary concrete is attractive and durable. Some of the advantages include:
- You can choose your color and stamp poured concrete with a design to make it look like stones, tiles, bricks or other materials.
- It’s long-lasting and won’t sink like some other materials.
- Poured concrete offers fast installation.
- It’s low-maintenance and usually just requires an annual resealing.
- It’s affordable with lower installation and materials costs than pavers.
The downsides of poured concrete include:
- It’s susceptible to cracking because of freezing and thawing cycles and tree roots.
- If it’s damaged, you have to patch or replace the whole slab.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Pavers for Your Patio?
Pavers can be brick, stone, or concrete crafted to look like natural materials. The most significant benefit of pavers is that they are individual pieces, offering maximum flexibility and easy replacement. Other advantages include:
- Pavers provide lots of choices in color, shape, and design.
- They’re long-lasting and durable
- Working with individual pavers offers maximum design flexibility.
- They’re tough and highly resistant to damage from freeze and thaw cycles.
Potential challenges with pavers include:
- Higher upfront cost and longer installation time than poured concrete.
- Weeds can grow between the pavers and require regular maintenance.
- Sand between the pavers requires routine replacement.
Work With the Pros for Patio and Hardscaping Needs
Whether you choose pavers or poured concrete, expert installation is the most critical element for a gorgeous result. You want a team who knows the ins and outs of hardscaping and will choose the best materials for your needs and setting. You also want a trusted contractor who understands your living landscape and can create a harmonious environment with hardscaping elements. At Epling Landscaping and Lawn Service, we’re not only plant and lawn care experts. We’re also skilled at creating beautiful and inviting hardscapes, including patios, outdoor living rooms and kitchens, fire pits and water features. We’d love to show you how we combine landscaping and hardscaping elements with stunning results.
