I'm trying to decide between pavers and concrete for my outdoor space. I've seen lots of opinions online favoring pavers because they last longer, but I'm really concerned about the constant battle with weeds that can grow between pavers. I want something that's easy to maintain and keep clean. Is concrete actually a better option in terms of maintenance, especially regarding things like cracking and weeds?
4 Answers
If you’re worried about weeds, you might want to consider pavers, especially in colder areas. If they're installed properly with a solid base and you use polymeric jointing sand, you shouldn’t have too much trouble with weeds. However, just be aware that pavers generally require more upkeep over time.
I went with stamped concrete about three years ago, and I'm really happy with it! So far, I haven’t had any significant cracks, just a tiny hairline one that's almost invisible. It was a lot cheaper than pavers—about a third of the cost! All I've done is power wash it, and I'm planning to seal it this year. I'd say if you're in a place with changing seasons, like here in Maryland, concrete can hold up just fine, and you won't have to deal with the weeds like you would with pavers.
Weeds can happen with both options. I have concrete, pavers, and cobblestones in my yard, and honestly, the cobblestones look the best, even when they're overrun with weeds! A concrete patio might just get a few weeds in the cut lines, while pavers could end up with them everywhere.
I say go for stamped concrete. People often rave about pavers at first because they look great when new, but trust me, maintaining them gets tough. Cracked concrete looks bad, but weeds can still be managed easily compared to the constant maintenance that pavers demand.