Concrete paving, also known as paving stones and concrete pavers, is a standard outdoor flooring solution often used to pave driveways, patios, walkways, and other commercial or residential surfaces. Manufactured and ready to install on-site, these concrete-based solutions come in various sizes, shapes, and colors.
Though often referred to as cement pavers, the term ‘concrete pavers’ is the most accurate since concrete mix is the primary ingredient used in production, which contains cement, sand, gravel, and color pigments.
A concrete paving company manufactures the pavers by pouring the mix into molds, then vibrating the mixture to compress the concrete before its allowed to cure. These concrete pavers contain individual sections that interlock into a flexible system that is extremely durable.
Once cured and installed, each concrete paver can withstand at least 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, 5,000 additional pounds per square inch of pressure than standard poured concrete can withstand.
If you are considering replacing or adding a walkway, patio, or driveway to your outdoor living area, concrete pavers could be your best choice. To help you determine which concrete solution is right for your outdoor space, our concrete and asphalt paving company has compared the costs and benefits of pavers and concrete slabs.
Concrete Pavers Vs. Standard Concrete Slabs
Quick Breakdown
- Concrete paving costs 10-15% more than standard concrete slabs, generally the lowest cost per square foot you can pay for installed concrete.
- While concrete pavers are more costly upfront, you will save money on long-term costs for repairs and replacements.
- Interlocking concrete pavers form a patterned surface that can be put into service immediately, while concrete slabs must be installed on-site and require extra curing time.
- If you upgrade your concrete slab to stamped concrete, you will most likely pay the same amount as you would for concrete paving without the extra durability.
To get an in-depth analysis of the better choice for your project, let’s compare concrete paving and standard concrete slab installation based on installation processes, costs, and maintenance.
Concrete Paving FAQs
Installation Process For Concrete
The concrete paving installation process depends on the design you choose and can take four to five days to complete. Installation includes excavation, grading, sub-base compaction, geotextile fiber install, base preparation, base compaction, sand preparation, laying concrete pavers, cutting borders, preparing bond beams, compacting stones, and sealing the pavers.
The first step in the installation process is to design your layout. You will work with your concrete paving company to determine the design and materials you will use on your patio, driveway, or walkway. Then, the materials will be manufactured off-site at a professional production plant.
Your paving company will remove any existing paving or excavate the loose soil or grass to make a stable foundation beneath the paved surface on installation day. Then, the contractor will lay down a slightly sloped gravel base followed by a layer of sand to facilitate water runoff.
The depth of these layers will depend on the function of the concrete pavers. For example, a driveway for standard motor vehicles will require about one inch of sand over four to six inches of gravel, while driveways for heavy vehicles require a total base of about 10 to 12 inches.
Once the concrete paving company finishes the base, they will install edging along the side of the outdoor surface to keep the pavers closely knit together. Then, those edges will act as a guide to place the pavers along the determined surface, much like the edges used for tiling.
When all the pavers are laid, the professionals will use a motorized plate compactor to set the surface and sweep paver sand to fill in joints between the paving. They will then repeat the compacting process until the sand fills all the gaps.
Once installation is complete, the concrete paving is a durable structure that you can expect to withstand the toughest of conditions.
How Much Does Concrete Cost Per Square Foot
You can expect to pay $8-$15 per square foot for concrete paving and installation. Depending on the material used, site location, and concrete paving company, prices may vary. While the cost of concrete pavers is higher than standard concrete slabs, people will often see a higher return on their investment due to lower maintenance costs.
The cost of concrete paving is steeper because it requires a more intensive manufacturing and installation process than other concrete systems. Your concrete paving company will install the pavers over four to five days. Once complete, they will readjust or correct any alignment issues to ensure a level surface.
To receive an accurate pricing estimate for your location, contact Utah concrete paving specialists, Morgan Pavement.
Concrete Maintenance & Repairs
Most concrete pavers require little to no maintenance, but you may need to clear the joints of weeds from time to time. Fortunately, a quality installation will limit weed growth, limiting the amount of maintenance your surface will require. If you notice weeds, moss, or grass growing in the joints, you can typically use weed killer to treat the problem areas.
One of the major benefits of installing concrete paving is its durability. The design of each paver allows the stone to flex with ground movement, which reduces any cracking or splitting. However, if any cracking or splitting does occur, it is an easy repair.
Unlike concrete slab repairs that require installing entirely new concrete or spot treating small problems, you can quickly repair one or more paving stones. A concrete paving company will lift the damaged pavers, apply a new layer of bedding sand, and compact the surface back together for an easy repair.
A few techniques you can use to keep concrete paving looking as good as new include:
- Remove dirt, stains, and weeds regularly
- Replace broken pavers
- Re-apply jointing sand
- Apply surface seal coating
Standard Concrete Slab
Concrete Installation Process
Standard concrete slabs are easier to install than other concrete surfaces. The process includes excavation, grading, preparation of the foundation, setting forms, and pouring the concrete. Then the material must dry and cure before you can use your driveway, patio, walkway, or concrete slab surface.
Once the concrete curing process is complete, it is ready to go! Unfortunately, it is more prone to damage than concrete pavers. For example, as the ground beneath the concrete slab flexes, the surface may crack. Other damages may include staining and small potholes from water retention.
You can minimize damage by using proper installation practices. A professional concrete paving company will install a concrete slab using tried-and-true systems that improve water drainage.
How Much Does Concrete Pavement Cost
Since the concrete slab installation process is more straightforward than concrete paving, it is generally the more affordable choice. Concrete flatwork ranges from $3.50 to $12.50 per square foot. Curb and gutter, curb wall, and waterway services depend on linear footage, but the average cost can range from $22.00 per linear foot to $40.00 per linear foot.
The cost of concrete pavement will also include the thickness of the application and any other necessary services. Some concrete paving companies will require a minimum order which can also impact the cost you will pay for a concrete surface. You can work with our Utah concrete paving experts to receive an estimate for your concrete project. Contact Morgan Pavement to learn more.
Concrete Maintenance & Repairs
The lifetime of concrete slabs is highly dependent on the movement of the earth. As explained earlier, if the ground beneath the surface shifts, it can cause the concrete to split or crack. If this happens, the concrete slab may remain level for a while until the soil becomes unstable. Then, a crack will inevitably appear.
Temperature changes also greatly affect the longevity of concrete slabs by causing the concrete to expand and contract, resulting in cracking. You can opt to spot treat these problem areas as they occur or replace the entire slab altogether.
You can also receive a surface coating treatment like protective sealants. These concrete seals help prevent stains from penetrating the concrete. If the cracks and staining become more noticeable, you will most likely need to replace the entire surface.
Concrete maintenance services you can use to improve the longevity of your slab include:
- Remove dirt, stains, and weeds regularly
- Crack seals and repairs
- Apply surface seal coating
Morgan Pavement— The Best Choice for Utah Concrete Paving
No matter which concrete infrastructure you choose to install, rely on Morgan Pavement. Working with our concrete professionals, you will find the product that provides the best value. Plus, we will do our best to keep your costs low by making your investment last for years to come.
Along with our Utah concrete paving products, we offer various installation and resurfacing services to ensure your surface can stand the test of time. Our team stands by the mantra, “The right product for the right surface.”
One product does not solve every issue, which is why Morgan Pavement offers a wide variety of concrete products and services. Resurfacing will help protect and extend the life of your surface cheaper than having new concrete installed.
