Stamped Concrete Patio vs Pavers

Here’s our comparison of stamped concrete patio vs pavers including the pros and cons, cost and design pictures.Both stamped  concrete patios and paver patios are great choices when it comes to installing or redoing a patio design. Each of these selections have different pros and cons as well as costs associate with them. While the appearance of these two styles is similar, they have a slightly different overall effect on the aesthetic look of the patio. Stamped concrete patios tend to be a little more modern and functional, while paver patios tend to give off a traditional and elegant vibe.

Pros and Cons of Stamped Concrete vs Pavers

Textured Concrete Pros

Installation: Install for stamped concrete is a great deal easier to install than pavers. The concrete just needs to be pouring into the desired location, and then there is a decorated stamp used to create the pattern on the concrete.

This can also be done on existing concrete by cleaning the surface and adding an overlay of concrete to the existing surface. Then you stamp the top layer with the desired pattern.

Maintenance: The maintenance of a stamped concrete patio is much easier than that of pavers. Stamped concrete is one large slab which does not allow any weeds or grass to pop up in between the ‘stones’.

You get the visual of separate stones without having to constantly weed and spray down the cracks of the patio.

Additionally, since the stamped concrete is not as porous as the natural stone used in pavers, they do not collect mold, mildew, or other bacteria. This makes the regular upkeep limited to sweeping and the occasional hose down.

Design: The design of stamped concrete is superb due to the unlimited colors that can be selected, as well as the custom design stamps that can be created.

Stamped concrete can take on almost any look that is desired. You can find stamps that can replicate the look of a wood deck, pavers, cobblestones, bricks and tile. See examples of a wood plank stamped concrete patio here.

Cost: The cost of stamped concrete is significantly lower than pavers in both material cost and the labors costs associated with it.

Imprinted Concrete Cons

Design: While stamped concrete has a wide variety of finishes, it does not quite give the same overall effect of pavers. Stamped concrete is almost like ‘fake’ pavers. Stamped concrete is a great alternative and looks fantastic but, again, is not the most luxurious that you can get. See more examples of the popular types of concrete patio finishes here.

Safety: Stamped Concrete can become slippery when we, so could become a hazard when frantically running inside during a storm. If this is something of a concern, there can be a non slip coat added to the top of the stamped concrete patio.

Stamped concrete also does not allow for drainage like the pavers do, but adding a drain in it can help prevent buildup and standing water. Another safety concern for stamped concrete is that it could crack over time creating uneven surfaces.

Durability: Stamped concrete is one solid slab which has trouble moving with shifting of the earth, could crack over time creating uneven surfaces.

These would need to be repaired, which could require a complete new overlay if there is too much cracking. These cracks can be repaired individually if they are small.

Pavers Pros

Design: The design of the pavers is one of the best parts of it. Pavers offer an intricate, complex design that scream expense and sophistication.

The designs of these pavers are stereotypical of high design and up the class of the spaces that they are used in. There are a bunch of different materials that can be selected when choosing pavers.

Colors: There’s a wide assortment of paver colors to choose from that can give you flexibility when designing your space.

Shapes: With a wide variety of paver shapes to choose from, they can help you create an outdoor space that ranges from traditional to contemporary.

For instance, basic rectangular pavers can mimic the look of old-fashioned cobblestones for a traditional design. On the other hand, shapes such as hexagons and trapezoid pavers can offer a more contemporary look.

Long-Lasting Lifespan: While pavers do require maintenance to ensure they maintain their beauty over time, they can last a very long time with proper care. They can last longer than 50 years when installed as recommended.

Easy to Fix: One of the great things about pavers is if they do get damaged, they are relatively easy to replace. To replace a broken or cracked paver, you can remove it and replace with a like paver. Once the new paver is installed fill around it with polysand and brush the excess away.

Pavers Cons

Installation: Pavers consist of a lot of work when it comes to the install. Pavers need to be installed one by one, which can be extremely time-consuming and expensive.

An average installation can take from 3 to 5 days. If this process is not done correctly, it could risk ruining the appearance and functionality of the outdoor space.

Maintenance: The maintenance of pavers is pretty high when compared to that of stamped concrete. Pavers are susceptible to weeds or grass popping up in between the stones.

This requires constant weeding or spraying, some of the pavers need to be replaced over time as well, as they could become corroded or they could shift or sink, causing uneven surfaces.

Maintenance is also difficult since the natural stones used for pavers are porous and they can collect mold, mildew, or other bacteria, which could be difficult to keep clean in the outdoors.

There is also the potential for the stones to stain or rust. This should not be rectified with power washing since it could dislodge the pavers. These need to be scrubbed down with specific cleaners.

Cost: The cost of pavers is extremely higher than stamped concrete when it comes to material cost and the labor needed to complete the project.

Stamped Style Concrete Patio vs Pavers Cost

Typically when comparing the two patio styles, there is one huge difference, that is cost.

Stamped concrete in the same pattern as pavers can be up to 30% less expensive. Additionally, there is the ability to just overlay an existing deck when using stamped concrete, which can save a ton of money.

Pavers require a great deal of work that needs to be done to prepare for the paver install. Stamped concrete also requires less maintenance, making it a money saver over time. Mentioned below are some specific costs as well as other considerations that can change costs in the project.

Concrete Flatwork vs Pavers Cost Per Square Foot

There are a few different considerations that could change the costs of installation, this could include: slope, shapes, location and size of the project. These can be a do-it-yourself project if you have the time commitment, as it does not require much advanced knowledge or heavy machinery. This could help save money when it comes to either of the styles selected.

Patio with Decorative Concrete Costs Per Square Footage

Stamped concrete finishes cost about $12 per square foot, not including installation.

Paver Patio Costs Per Tile

Pavers can run anywhere from $12 to $24 per square foot, not including installation.

What’s your favorite between these two decorative outdoor elements? Tell us what you think in the comments section. For more information on this topic visit our page about pavers vs concrete patios.