Concrete pavers are a popular building material for driveways, walkways, patios, and other surfaces. Though often called ‘cement pavers’, cement is just one ingredient. Concrete also contains sand, aggregate, water, and additives.
How are concrete pavers made? They are made with a dry concrete mix containing cement, sand, gravel, and pigments. The wet mix is poured into molds, vibrated, and cured. Resulting pavers can withstand at least 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure compared to about 3,000 pounds per square inch of poured concrete. They often carry a lifetime warranty for integrity. Cost of concrete pavers: Costs for a concrete paver driveway vary. Professional installation can cost $30 to $40 per square foot. Pavers themselves may cost $3 to $10 per square foot depending on size and style. Doing the work yourself can save money. Maintenance and repair of concrete pavers: They require little routine maintenance. Sweep or hose rinse occasionally. Remove weeds and stains. Seal regularly to protect from degradation. Damaged sections can be easily repaired. A properly maintained driveway can last 25 to 50 years. Design of concrete pavers: Real stone pavers are premium, but concrete pavers are a close second. They are comparable to clay brick pavers in prestige. More durable than clay brick pavers and come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Can work well with almost any home design but looks tend to be uniform. Top Brands of Concrete Pavers Concrete Pavers vs. Poured Concrete Are Concrete Pavers Right for You? Back to TopNatural cobblestones or clay brick pavers are a better visual fit for older, more classic home styles. Concrete Paver Installation: Installing concrete pavers starts with removing existing paving or excavating grass and loose soil at the building site. Then, a gravel base is laid and compacted thoroughly, followed by a layer of sand. A basic driveway has 1 inch of sand over 4 to 6 inches of gravel. For driveways handling heavy vehicles, a 10 to 12-inch base is recommended. The base is graded with a slight slope for water runoff. Once the base is ready, edging is installed along the driveway sides to contain the pavers. To install pavers, set them in place and fit tightly together. Pavers can be cut with a masonry saw for edges and corners. It’s best to have a pattern, like staggered brick-wall style or herringbone. When all pavers are down, the surface is compacted with a motorized plate compactor. Paver sand is swept across to fill joints, then the surface is compacted again. Additional sand is swept over to fill gaps. This makes the surface a rigid structure. Although it’s laborious and time-consuming, DIYers can do it with helpers. DIYers save costs as most of the cost of a concrete paver driveway is in installation labor. Expect to spend several days to do it well. Top Brands of Concrete Pavers: Due to their heavy weight, concrete pavers are not shipped long distances. They are molded and sold by local concrete companies. Check online for local fabricators and landscape supply outlets. Concrete Pavers vs. Poured Concrete: Concrete pavers come in various shapes, styles, patterns, and colors, giving homeowners choices for a unique driveway. Poured concrete slabs are generally plain, though there are staining or stamping options. Concrete paver driveways don’t need a curing period and are ready to use. They offer more traction when wet than poured concrete. Another benefit of concrete pavers is that individual pavers can be removed and replaced if needed. Cracked or heaved poured concrete slabs can’t be repaired as well, and any repair efforts will be visible.
Concrete pavers can be an excellent material for your outdoor paving projects. If you want something more elegant and attractive than poured concrete but are not enthused about the high cost of natural stone cobblestones or clay brick pavers, they are a good choice. And if you are a DIYer willing to spend time in exchange for saving money on professional labor, concrete pavers are great. Properly maintained, concrete paver driveways generally outlast poured concrete. Poured concrete typically lasts about 20 to 30 years, while concrete pavers can last up to 50 years. Finally, because they are small and easy to handle and don’t require heavy equipment to install, concrete pavers are a great material for a DIY driveway.
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