So it's time to revamp your current driveway, walkway, or patio, and you're considering paverstones instead of the traditional concrete. But what's the price difference? or different aesthetic options? or is it even worth the switch to begin with? All valid, these are the questions people have when it comes to their home project. And hopefully, West Hills Masonry can help answer some of those big questions for you.

While concrete and pavers are both durable and strong materials, there are fundamental differences everyone ought to know. Concrete is susceptible to cracks and staining, leaving an eyesore to your home. Concrete slabs will also most likely crack and become damage under the stress of the ground itself, which is definitely relevant for us Southern Californians and our earthquake climate. It is, however, a slightly cheaper option at first; concrete is typically a little cheaper overall when materials and labor are all considered. Maintenance of concrete is a different story though. There is no quick and easy fix for concrete, and it's certainly not cost effective in the long-term.

Pavers on the other hand require very easy maintenance. In fact, it hardly needs any maintenance at all, lasting for many many years to come. If any part of your paver driveway, walkway, or patio shifts or cracks, the individual paverstone simply needs to be replaced, unlike concrete which does not have this convenient economic option. So in the long-term, pavers are more cost-effective.

Moreover, the differences in concrete and paver aesthetics is quite drastic as well. Concrete can come in different color combinations, stamping, and design, varying greatly in cost. Paverstone also comes in different colors, shapes, and design patterns but are largely similar in cost. Unlike concrete, pavers vary greatly in composition, but mostly function in the same way. Lastly, many people tend to find pavers more attractive in appearance, claiming it adds an easy facelift to their home that adds instant value.

Be that as it may, given the growing alternatives in concrete, there are many options that add a certain unique feel to any home as well. But many gravitate to paver options for its long-term cost savings, safety in its non-skid and non-slip surface, aesthetic value, and versatility to any home project compared to traditional concrete. 

Some Paver Facts:

1. Pavers typically provide optimum performance for about 30 years which is much longer than other pavements under normal residential use.

2. Ice damage to paver hardscapes is virtually non-existent. Joints allow the pavers to move without cracking in freeze and thaw cycles.

3. Unlike other pavements, pavers can be easily remove and reinstated without any visual or functional changes. 

4. Pavers' surface texture is ideal for obtaining safe traction in pedestrian (e.g. walkways, patios, etc.), vehicular (e.g. driveways), and pool applications, even when wet. 

5. The concept of interlocking pavers  date back over 2,000 years ago to the Roman Empire. The Romans developed a simple system for building roads, some of the roads are still in use today.

6. Paving stones  are set in a friction base sand mixture, thus they do not move around at all, but remain flexible. This flexibility means that with cold and hot weather the expansion and contraction do not in any way create an ill effect on the paving stone installation. 

Article by Belgard Hardscapes

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The interlocking concrete pavers we use in your pavement are extremely durable. We only work with manufactured pavers using specific sands, crushed sands, crushed stone, cement, water and color fast pigments which provide most of the color.

A computer operated machine, especially designed for this purpose, forms the concrete mixture into the shapes used in your pavement. Most manufactured pavers are made in a beveled edge around the top of the paver. The bevel, or chamfer, ensures that there is no tripping hazard if a paver happens to be slightly higher or lower than its neighbors. The chamfer also reduces the chance for chipping of the paver edge.

You will notice that the surface of your paver is slightly coarse to the touch. This texture is to provide a safe non-slip walking or driving surface even when wet. The very dense structure of the paver minimizes the amount of moister which can penetrate and cause damage during freeze cycles.

West Hills Masonry places the pavers in a sand setting bed surrounded by an edge restraint which keeps the desired uniform joint shapes between pavers and prevents the edge pavers from moving outward. The sand used to fill the joint spaces provides verticle interlock between pavers and allows the pavement to behave as a strong but flexible mat.

We are proud to only use products made in America. By hiring West Hills Masonry to do your next home project, you not only support local manufacturing businesses in Orange County, Riverside County, and L.A. County, but you support a local service business as well. Help us keep jobs in the U.S.A. by supporting our local businesses, and continuing the American dream!