Pavers are a great way to create both durable and aesthetically pleasing hardscapes outside your home, whether you are looking for a brand new driveway or a stunning backyard oasis. These pavers can be made from a variety of different materials, but knowing which material would work best for your unique circumstances is key to getting the most out of your efforts.
Finding the right material means finding the right amount of time, effort, and money to invest in your next pavers project. Concrete and clay are among the most commonly used materials, but only one can be the best choice for your unique needs. Take a closer look at the pros and cons of each, and discover how the Batchelder & Collins showroom displays a diverse selection of pavers that can make your patio pop.
What Are Clay Pavers?
Clay pavers are paving bricks made from clay that have been hard-fired to fuse the particles together. This high-temperature fusion creates a strong and durable paver while maintaining rich, natural colors that are resistant to ultraviolet radiation. The UV resistance makes them ideal for outdoor applications that will be exposed to a lot of sunlight, as they will be able to better retain their natural colors. Additionally, these pavers are resistant to staining.
What Are Concrete Pavers?
Concrete pavers are paving bricks made from concrete that are available in a wide range of sizes and colors, and they come ready to be installed right away. They are most often installed over compacted soil and sand to create a permeable surface through which water can pass.
Comparing Clay vs. Concrete Pavers
Style
Concrete and clay pavers are available in a wide range of different options, but they have different style applications. Clay bricks are typically limited to clay-colored browns or reds and are almost always rectangular in shape. Within those limitations, they offer much variety, but concrete pavers are more diverse. With concrete, you may opt for different shapes, colors, and sizes for greater levels of customization.
Durability
In the modern day, concrete pavers are much more durable than they used to be, often being harder and more durable than clay. While classic clay pavers are still durable enough to serve as a driveway that sees normal usage, concrete is much more resistant to damage. However, in the long run, clay tends to be more durable when exposed to the elements, like UV rays and moisture. In short, concrete is resistant to damage from force, while clay is resistant to damage from UV rays and moisture.
Installation
Installation follows the same steps regardless of whether you opt for concrete or clay pavers. Of course concrete pavers in uncommon shapes may be more difficult to install, but when comparing concrete and clay pavers of the same size and shape, installation doesn’t really differ between the two.
Maintenance and Repairs
Both clay and concrete pavers will weather over time when exposed to moisture from rain and ultraviolet rays from the sun. Additionally, they will both warrant maintenance between the pavers to remove weeds and dirt over time. Clay pavers tend to be more resistant overall, so they typically only warrant pressure washing once or twice each year. Concrete pavers, on the other hand, often need to be cleaned once every three or four months.
Cost
Clay pavers tend to be slightly more expensive than concrete pavers, and that translates to installation costs as well. Even so, clay pavers can still offer plenty of savings when you compare them to other options like natural stone or cobblestone per square foot, which both cause the overall cost to skyrocket.
Why Our Customers Choose Batchelder & Collins
At Batchelder & Collins, we offer an array of high-quality pavers of both concrete and clay, allowing you to take control of your next hardscaping project in the Hampton Roads area. Our experienced team can guide you through every planning stage and help you find the right solution for your unique needs. Take a look at what some of our previous clients had to say.
Testimonials
“Staff are very friendly and provided excellent service. We worked with Karli, and she was very knowledgeable about the the various product lines they carried and made our selections process quick and simple.” — Matthew N.
“Great selection of brick, pavers, stone, and outdoor hardscape items.” — Jerry H.
Pave the Way to a Beautiful, Durable Outdoor Space
When you are looking to take your hardscaping project to the next level, Batchelder & Collins has all the materials you need. Our high-quality concrete and clay pavers allow you to choose whichever version best matches your needs, along with opportunities to mix and match. Give our team a call at 757-625-2506 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a hardscaping professional.
