5 Benefits of Concrete Slabs Over Pavers
Posted on: 18 September 2017
If you're putting in a patio, you have two main choices—concrete slabs or pavers. There are pros and cons to both options, but there are key benefits to choosing concrete. Here's a look at why you may want a concrete slab over pavers:
1. Easier to Transport
With concrete, you can start with bags of mix and then add water. Because the mixture in the bags is dehydrated, they tend to be a lot lighter than the concrete itself. In contrast, with concrete or stone pavers, each paver is made of concrete.
That can be very heavy to transport. If you are moving the materials yourself or paying for shipping, this may be a point to consider.
2. More Level
If you have a professional pour your concrete slab, you can rest assured that it will be even. In contrast, stone pavers may shift over time and become uneven. In some cases, the pavers are uneven from the start. That can prevent a tripping hazard.
This is especially important to consider if you have children or elders in the home who may be more likely to trip and fall on uneven surfaces. It also comes into play with people who are in wheelchairs or who have difficulty with walking that makes it hard to lift their feet all the way up.
3. Fewer Weeds
Weeds can grow in between paving stones. That can become unsightly and annoying. It can also become expensive to constantly spray weed killers on this area.
In contrast, a concrete slab is a continuous piece. Weeds cannot sprout up in the concrete unless there is a crack.
4. Longer Lasting
Eventually, even a concrete slab may crack or need replacement, but this generally takes quite a long time. Concrete slabs have all kinds of elements to make them last longer. That includes rebar (metal bars to stabilise the concrete), a moisture barrier and drainage such as gravel under the slab.
Typically, when you opt for concrete pavers, they don't have any of these elements in place.
5. Able to Host Large Patterns
With pavers, you can opt for designs, but the designs generally need to be relatively small and repetitive. For instance, you could have a scrollwork design on each individual paver.
With a concrete slab, however, you can opt for a large dramatic pattern. If you want, you could have someone acid stain your family crest so that it covers the whole slab.
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