When you are installing a new driveway, patio, walkway, or pool deck and you want to use concrete, you typically have to decide between using stamped concrete or concrete pavers. Despite both options getting derived from concrete, they significantly differ in terms of their benefits.
Hence, before selecting concrete pavers over stamped concrete or vice versa, it is essential to understand what each option entails. Though most people often opt for concrete pavers, there are several benefits that you get to enjoy with stamped concrete that concrete pavers cannot provide.
With that said, here are two benefits of stamped concrete installations that you can't get from concrete pavers.
No Grass or Weeds
Concrete pavers get manufactured as interlock-able pieces of stone that only need to be laid adjacent to each other. Though concrete pavers interlock seamlessly, a small space gets left between the pavers. Unfortunately, as time passes, the small spaces between the concrete pavers start to collect dirt, and after some time, you will begin to notice grass or weeds growing in-between the concrete pavers. The grass and weeds usually grow sporadically across the concrete pavers, making the installation look untidy.
On the other hand, stamped concrete has no gap/cavities that can collect dirt over time. Additionally, a seal coating gets applied to the stamped concrete to prevent it from getting damaged. As a result of these two factors, you do not have to worry about weeds and grass growing on your stamped concrete installation. Hence, your stamped concrete structure will always look tidy and appealing.
Less Installation Time
When it comes to installing time, most people assume concrete pavers take less time than stamped concrete. However, the truth is that you can get your stamped concrete installation done in less time than it would take to install concrete pavers.
Concrete pavers take up more time because of the amount of preparation work that needs to get done before the concrete pavers can get laid on the ground. In most cases, preparing an area for concrete paver installation will include:
- Excavating the area
- Grading the site to ensure the concrete pavers get installed on level ground
- Compacting the sub-base
- Installing a geotextile fiber
- Preparing and compacting the base
- Preparing the sand to get used
- Laying the concrete pavers
- Border cutting
- Preparing the bonding beam
- Finally, compacting the concrete pavers
Unfortunately, you can't skip any of the above processes because if you do, the pavers will start to shift and result in an uneven surface.
On the other hand, stamped concrete requires far less preparation. Typically for stamped concrete, all you need is to:
- Prepare the subgrade
- Place the forms on which the concrete will get poured
- Installing reinforcement such as mesh wire
- Pour the concrete
- Stamp the concrete
- Apply sealant
Installation time is an essential factor when deciding between concrete pavers and stamped concrete because of the cost of labor. Remember, contractors get paid by the hour. Thus, the number of billed hours you get for installing concrete paver is significantly higher than when installing stamped concrete.
Thus, opting for stamped concrete will enable you to enjoy fewer labor costs for your project.
