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Concrete or Pavers? The Choice is Yours

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Now that you’ve decided to construct a pathway in your yard you need to decide what material you want to use. Two of the most common choices are concrete and pavers. They both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. A walkway contractor can help you with your pavement choices.


Concrete

Concrete is hard and durable. It can stand up to harsh weather as well as abuse by people and pets. Another advantage concrete has is that it is easy to obtain. Also, once pathways, pavers, decorative concrete, stamped concreteyou have it, it is fairly easy to pour. In fact you don’t need to go to the expense or trouble of hiring someone to do the work for you. In a short amount of time you can do it yourself. At one time if you wanted to have a concrete walkway you had only one boring choice, it needed to look like an ordinary city sidewalk. That is no longer the case. You can now find several types of decorative concrete that are quite stylish and sophisticated. One example of this type of stonework is stamped concrete. This material is widely available and functions just like ordinary concrete; but it’s stamped to give the appearance of stone, tile, and many other popular designs.

Concrete walkway installation can be quite expensive. Also, once you lay it down that’s pretty much it. Changing it or tearing it up can be costly as well. This can prove to be especially troublesome if your concrete walkway does break or crumble. Not only will it cost you financially to fix, it is also hard work.


Pavers

Pavers are also a great option for walkways. They are set in sand rather than mortar so they are very smooth and easy to walk on. They also come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors so it will be easy to find a style to fit your tastes. Pavers will give your pathways, pavers, decorative concrete, stamped concretewalkway a more modern and contemporary look than ordinary concrete can. You can lay the pavers any way you like in order to create interesting and unique patterns in your walkway.

One downfall of the paver walkway is that its success as a functional part of your landscape depends upon its correct installation. The stones lay on either sand or fine gravel that needs to be compacted. If this is not done properly or well the finished product will be uneven and difficult to use. You best bet is to hire a contractor rather than try to tackle the task yourself, thus costing you additional money.

Whether you choose to use concrete or pavers is strictly a personal choice. Take into consideration the size and function of your walkway before you make your final decision. Either way you will be getting a walkway that will enhance your landscape. Visit the walkway photo gallery at enhancescape.com to see examples of how walkways can improve your landscape.