Is Stamped Concrete Cheaper than Pavers?

When designing driveways, patios, or pool decks, homeowners need to consider the cost of the materials. For instance, is stamped concrete cheaper than pavers? There are several factors that may influence the price of paver materials and dictate which material is more affordable.

Is Stamped Concrete Cheaper Than Pavers?

Stamped concrete is cheaper than pavers because it only requires pouring in a solid surface before being textured or embossed. In contrast, pavers usually involve interlocking pieces of concrete. Moreover, stamped concrete is more affordable than pavers because its compressive and weather-resistance properties are mildly weaker compared to pavers.

Stamped concrete still has merits of its own, especially when paver specialists like Aviara Pavers plan and install them. However, the cost of maintaining stamped concrete might be more expensive than using pavers. Nevertheless, some aspects make it less costly than pavers.

Factors That Make Stamped Concrete Cheaper Than Pavers

Pavers are pieces of concrete interlocked to form a surface for outdoor living spaces. Meanwhile, stamped concrete involves pouring concrete to create a solid surface. This makes stamped concrete's compressive strength slightly weaker than pavers, possibly making it more expensive than pavers.

While stamped concrete's upfront costs are smaller compared to pavers, it tends to incur more expenses over time. With that said, consider these aspects when determining which material would suit your short-term and long-term budget.

Strength Comparison

Pounds per square inch (PSI) measures a concrete's compressive strength. A lower PSI may equate to a weaker mixture, making it one of the reasons why stamped concrete is cheaper than pavers.

While the ideal PSI depends on different factors, the bare minimum for any project should be 2,500-3,000 PSI.

Pavers are roughly 2 to 3 times stronger than stamped or poured concrete. Poured concrete is generally rated at 3,000-4,000 PSI on average. Meanwhile, pavers are at 8,000 PSI or greater.
In terms of thickness, stamped concrete uses a 4-inch reinforced slab of concrete poured over a 4 to 12-inch thick base. This can be thinner depending on the load it needs to support. As a result, fewer materials and less cost.
For pavers, construction typically requires 1 to 3-inch concrete put on a 4 to 6-inch thick base.

Lifespan

Stamped concrete can last for up to 25 years, despite cracks. On the other hand, pre-cast pavers tend to last for more than 5 decades partly because individual tiles or blocks are easier to replace.

Furthermore, daily weather conditions can radically affect poured concrete. Heat, rain, and humidity can influence the concrete's strength, dry times, and finish.

Resistance to weight: Most installers recommend pre-cast pavers over stamped concrete for weight-bearing locations because the weight of the vehicles may break stamped concrete over time. Unlike slab concrete, the interlocking systems of pavers handle and distribute the moving and static weight of vehicles.

Resistance to moisture: Pavers are resistant to freeze and thaw cycles, preventing them from absorbing water and becoming slippery. Meanwhile, stamped concrete tends to soak up moisture and is susceptible to freezing and thawing.

Installation Design

Stamped concrete and pavers both require base preparation and compaction. However, for stamped concrete, the mixture of water and cement is essential to ensuring the concrete won't bubble or crack.

Since stamped concrete undergoes curing or slow-drying, the long wait time for the concrete to settle down is a consequence of the lower price.
Pouring concrete needs expansion joints to become more resistant to cracking, whereas pavers do not need one. Shrinkage or a reduction in volume happens as the concrete hardens.
Despite having a solid compression, the tensile strength is 8%-12% of the compressive strength. Such tensile stress can result in cracking.

Repair and Maintenance

Stamped concrete may require more maintenance over the years to continue looking pristine. Thus, while stamped concrete is cheaper at first because of a single pouring, the durability may not be as cost-effective as pavers.

Restoring cracked or stained stamped concrete requires a lot of work. An installer needs to cut out the damaged area and replace it with a new slab. The challenge is that the older concrete might have a faded color than the new one.
Stained or damaged pavers mean you only have to remove the affected blocks individually and replace them with new pavers. Color matching is also easier because pavers are less likely to fade.
Sealing pavers and stamped concrete can increase durability. It can be cheaper to seal stamped concrete as it is easier to clean and only needs resealing every 2-5 years. While pavers need resealing every 2-3 years, you may need to spend more in refilling sand between the pavers and re-leveling.

With our ICPI certification, you can ensure only the most professional, experienced, and knowledgeable installers would work on your paver project, whether you want stamped concrete or pavers. We also meet continuing education requirements to maintain the certification to uphold the highest standards in paver installation.

Color and Pattern Selection

Concrete slabs don't incorporate colors right away. Instead, installers would add a layer or treatment on top of the concrete, enabling you to see the colors and adjust if necessary.

Additionally, stamping patterns allows you to mimic the texture and appearance of other materials like flagstone, slate, or even wood. This lets you achieve a natural stone or brick look at less expense.

By comparison, paver blocks and stones already come in various colors, sizes, patterns, and textures. They will arrive on site pre-cast. This is why they tend to be more expensive than stamped concrete, especially when bought in smaller quantities.

Conclusion

Stamped concrete is cheaper than pavers because of the differences in designs, strength, installation, and maintenance. While they have pros and cons, the decision ultimately depends on your paver needs, concerns, and budget. Make sure to hire a professional paver installation company to ensure long-term durability and functionality.

Is Stamped Concrete Cheaper Than Pavers?