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Concrete Pavers (Best Buy)
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| Appearance |
A wide range of surface finishes - smooth to textured. Many available colors, shapes, and laying patterns can complement the architectural style of your home.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
Moderate - Tightly fitted, uniform units are placed over a sand bed and a compacted aggregate base. Immediately ready for use. Can be installed by homeowner. Factory-made pavers last for decades.
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| Maintenance |
Low-Stained or broken pavers can be easily replaced without patches. Dark colored pavers can help hide stains. Ants and weeds in joints can be prevented with sealers or herbicides.
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| Winter Durability |
High-Small, high density units resist cracking as well as damage from freeze-thaw and salts. Pavers are stronger than ordinary or stamped concrete.
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| Snow Removal |
Smooth surface allows for easy snow removal. Pavers can be colored dark to help melt snow faster. Snow-melt systems can be installed to eliminate snow and ice removal.
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Cobble Stone
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| Appearance |
Gives elegant, permanent, yet informal "Old World" feel.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
Very High-Each unit must be fitted together by hand.
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| Maintenance |
Low-High quality stone lasts for decades. Wide joints may encourage weeds and ants. Rough surface makes walking and driving difficult.
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| Winter Durability |
High-High density stone resists cracking and salts.
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| Snow Removal |
Rough surface makes plowing difficult.
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Stamped Concrete
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| Appearance |
Surface is usually colored. Patterns look good from a distance, but close up surface looks artificial.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
High-Difficult for homeowner to install. Requires special equipment to stamp stone or paver patterns into surface. Surface sealer often used.
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| Maintenance |
Moderate-Cracking will likely develop. Difficult to match original color or pattern in repaired areas. Repairs leave unattractive patch.
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| Winter Durability |
Low-Subject to deterioration from de-icing salts. Surface sealer may provide some protection from salt attack.
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| Snow Removal |
Uneven surface of some patterns and textures can make plowing difficult.
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Clay Pavers
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| Appearance |
Mostly shades of red and red-brown. Limited number of shapes available.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
High-Concrete base often required which increases cost. Inconsistent dimensions make units slow to install and difficult to maintain straight pattern lines.
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| Maintenance |
Low-Irregularities in surface make them prone to damage, especially edge chipping.
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| Winter Durability |
Moderate-Salts can attack and deteriorate some clay pavers.
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| Snow Removal |
Rough surface can make snow removal difficult.
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Ordinary Concrete
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| Appearance |
Grey or light brown. Can be colored throughout or on surface only.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
Moderate-Difficult for homeowner to install. Must wait 5 to 7 days for hardening before use. Surface quality depends on weather at time of pour and expertise of installers.
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| Maintenance |
Moderate-Cracking will likely develop. Repairs and replaced sections leave unsightly patches. Oil stains difficult to remove.
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| Winter Durability |
Low-Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deterioration from salts.
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| Snow Removal |
Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Light colored surface may not melt snow rapidly.
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Asphalt
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| Appearance |
Limited color options. Difficult to get neat looking edges. Cracks will likely develop. Stamped and colored asphalt looks fake.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
Low-Goes in quickly over compacted aggregate base. Can’t be installed by homeowner.
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| Maintenance |
High-Wear and weather will break down surface. Black seal coat required every 2-3 years. Ruts or pothole repairs make ugly patches. Subject to erosion from oil drippings.
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| Winter Durability |
Low-Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deterioration from de-icing salts.
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| Snow Removal |
Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Dark surface accelerates snow melting.
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Crushed Stone or Gravel
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| Appearance |
Typically a rustic look. Appearance varies with color and shape of stones.
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| Initial Cost and Installation |
Low-Dumped and spread over soil (no base required).
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| Maintenance |
High-Scattered stone must be replaced and releveled regularly. Ruts from tires will likely develop.
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| Winter Durability |
High-Stones resist freeze-thaw cycles and salts.
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| Snow Removal |
Stones will scatter when plowing snow.
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