Stamped Concrete vs Interlocking Pavers

[Haoleguy]

I'm considering redoing my driveway with stamped concrete so that I don't have to mess with the weeds that grow up through pavers. My questions are: (1) can stamped concrete be maintained relatively crack free and if so what goes into the base and concrete to make it that way, (2) do interlocking pavers also restrict weed growth in the spaces between the pavers, and (3) what are the cost per sq ft for stamped concrete and interlocking pavers if done by a professional? Any pros and cons for either? My reference point is that I did our driveway with bricks over 21 yrs ago has sunken in spots and we fight weeds all the time...no I don't do herbicide. Thanks for feedback and suggestions.......Gary

 

[forgeblast]

Still get weeds in our paverstone walkway, not a lot but it does happen.
I think its all in the base prep. That will have to be figured in the price.
Paving Materials Comparison Chart - The Concrete Network has a good chart
Patio - stamped concrete vs. pavers - Conflicting Info - Landscape Design Forum - GardenWeb is a post from 09 but some good info.

 

[Rustyiron]

If you don't do chemical weed spray, I think that the stamped crete is your only option. They have some really nice patterns and colors but I believe that it does not come cheap! As for crack free, it's all in the drainage and stability/compaction of the sub grade, along with a deep enough "pour" to handle your heaviest expected load. (Garbage truck, fuel oil tk. etc.)

 

[Haoleguy]

Forgeblast - Thank you for the links. Took me to a few interlocking paver companies that had helpful info and links to regional sellers. Gives me a chance to visit a couple of places to see what paver materials look like from a few firms.

Rustyiron - Thanks for the reminder on sub-base drainage and quality-thickness-strength of concrete. Not many stamped concrete guys in my area but will hunt down a few to get an idea of the product and installation process. I am a bit familiar with the product from my California days where my BIL's family ran a fairly large and well established stamped concrete company. Different issues out here in the east.

Thank you for the feedback/suggestions and links........Gary

 

[john25mm]

Having both(a stamped driveway and a pavered patio area) The pour/stamped method IF and this a big if done correctly will be your best bet. remember both require a good base done properly. If it isn't both will have weeds. As someone said with the poured/stamped plan for heavies load and then add to that on the edges(make them a bit thicker and add rebar). I have driven a 10,000lb Ford Excursion with a trailer behind it with a Komatsu D20 on it and no problems. The patio area has a double layer of the cloth to stop weeds under it and so far the only thing growing on it is the stuff the wife put there.

As to finding a stamping company go to some concrete suppliers in your area(the place where the people who spread the concrete get there equipment) they should be able to get you some contact info because that is where in all probablity is where they got their stamps, concret colorants and release agents.

My BIL and his family are also in the business so the wife and I got some good advice. One thing the BIL has stressed to me is NO WIRE MESH IN THE CONCRETE ONLY REBAR. He is a bit oppionated about these things. H

 

[Many Thunders]

I am a HUGE fan of interlock pavers. They can be installed yourself faily easy. You can google up the layout depths, base materials, and borders. Just fill in with washed masonry sand and it takes longer for the weeds to find something to grow in. Properly done, pavers will last longer than stamped concrete. They are using pavers to replace all the concrete at the ports and harbors, too. The main benefit is that they provide drainage. I can dump a 5 gallon bucket on my sloped patio and the water is gone before it moves 5 feet. If the pavers are around your house or barn foundation, your foundation will benefit from the moisture allowed to regularly seep there from the dripline. Finally, what if you have a pipe to repair under the concrete? Pavers are easily redone.

Cheers. My $.02 worth

 

[jomar215]

Ditto on the base prep being your #1 concern. A driveway is going to require at least a foot of good DOT road base, some call it crusher-run, packed hard, hard. It's the base layer that spreads the weight out. I never really like pavers, so maybe I'm biased. I guess they just seem a bit manufactured for my taste. They do make a polymeric joint fill which is supposed to stay pliable but not allow weed growth, even in the joints - and the joints will grow weeds even if you put landscape fabric underneath.

Stamped concrete will require controlled crack lines if you have any sizable length at all, but is probably your best bet.

You could check out pavingexpert.com for the definitive how to on all things flat and walked on. I consult this encyclopedia often and enthusiastically with wonderful results. I just did a stone patio. Take a look ....

 

[Haoleguy]

Thanks for the additional feedback. One of the reasons I was thinking stamped concrete for my driveway(40 ft length) was to provide a solid path for my downspouts to release water and get it away from the foundation walls and into the street. Also I was thinking the surface would be flatter for snow shoveling in winter when that occasional storm rolls through. Thanks jomar215 for the paving expert suggestion. ...Cheers, Gary

 

[Pixguy]

My parents had their patio done with pavers and the installer put a "grout" between the blocks that stop all weeds. I questioned my dad and he told me that HD sells it. I was impressed and will use it in my next project.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I'm considering redoing my driveway with stamped concrete so that I don't have to mess with the weeds that grow up through pavers. My questions are: (1) can stamped concrete be maintained relatively crack free and if so what goes into the base and concrete to make it that way, (2) do interlocking pavers also restrict weed growth in the spaces between the pavers, and (3) what are the cost per sq ft for stamped concrete and interlocking pavers if done by a professional? Any pros and cons for either? My reference point is that I did our driveway with bricks over 21 yrs ago has sunken in spots and we fight weeds all the time...no I don't do herbicide. Thanks for feedback and suggestions.......Gary

There are two kinds of concrete out there, the kind that is cracked... and the kind that is going to crack. That's it...

 

[dickfoster]

I'm considering redoing my driveway with stamped concrete so that I don't have to mess with the weeds that grow up through pavers. My questions are: (1) can stamped concrete be maintained relatively crack free and if so what goes into the base and concrete to make it that way, (2) do interlocking pavers also restrict weed growth in the spaces between the pavers, and (3) what are the cost per sq ft for stamped concrete and interlocking pavers if done by a professional? Any pros and cons for either? My reference point is that I did our driveway with bricks over 21 yrs ago has sunken in spots and we fight weeds all the time...no I don't do herbicide. Thanks for feedback and suggestions.......Gary

Last summer I had some walkways, a front porch and a front patio done in stamped and stained concrete. The front steps were hand carved to look like stone. I'm a big fan of stamped concrete as it's not much more than regular flat work. It's not very complicated as all they do is lay rubber pads with the pattern you want on top of the concrete after it's set then tamp it down to transfer the pattern. We went with natural stone. You can stamp concrete to look like almost anything and with stain it looks very much like what you're trying to duplicate. Many concrete outfits do it so it's not hard to find a local pro in most areas. Yes like normal flat work regular control joints were also cut into the concrete after it was poured to minimize any cracking. You can even stamp it to look like pavers if you want, or natural stone or bricks, or whatever comes to mine. Overall it's probably easier than doing a proper job with pavers and there won't be any weeds. Curved winding walkways, radiused corners etc. are all easy to do to.

 

[EddieWalker]

Love it when an old thread comes back to life!!!

I've found the cost to have concrete stamped to be extremely high. Prohibitively so when I looked into it. I've also found that to do pavers correctly and get enough base material down, pavers are even more expensive, but easily done on your own if you have a strong back and a lot of free time. Clients have gone with pavers as accents to concrete along the edge near the house, and that looks good. And other clients have gone with real rock across their driveway every 20 feet or so, that also looks nice. If I ever had the money, I would just keep it simple and go with regular concrete and a lot of rebar.

For my porches, I'm going to pour concrete and tile over them. I love tile, it do it for a living, so it's a natural choice for me.

 

[Rustyiron]

There are two kinds of concrete out there, the kind that is cracked... and the kind that is going to crack. That's it...

:laughing: I have both of them.

 

[Citydude]

There are two kinds of concrete out there, the kind that is cracked... and the kind that is going to crack. That's it...

Actually, there are three kinds. The cracked, the soon to be cracked and the heaved.

 

[tomplum]

For me the main choice would be made on what is needed to manage the water. We made a stamped 30' x 15' round front , three color patio our selves actually and is beautiful years later. In the new house we will be doing another curved closer to 70' version , but this time out of pavers. It would be easier and cheaper to do this in stamped. We really need to manage the water due to the location. We've built quite a bit of paver pathways at the old place too. Weeds we don't get too upset about, but you can manage them with either a weed torch or hot water on these hard surfaces. I know a guy who had brought old building bricks half way across the country, chipped off the old mortar and made a beautiful driveway in front of his Cape Cod style house. So your house and yard style may play into this as well.