Poured concrete vs pavers
Concrete is cheaper per square foot and faster to install. Pavers cost more but can be lifted and reset individually, which makes every future repair straightforward.
The full comparison
| Factor | Poured concrete | Pavers |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $5–$18 per sq ft | $10–$30 per sq ft |
| Installation time | One day plus curing | Longer — base prep dominates |
| Repair | Panel replacement; patches show | Lift and reset individual units |
| Settling | Cracks or needs lifting | Re-level the affected units |
| Freeze-thaw | Needs air entrainment; can scale | Joints accommodate movement |
| Weeds | None | Joint sand needs maintenance |
| Usable when | 7 days for vehicles | Immediately |
Poured concrete: When it wins
Budget matters, you want a continuous surface with no joints to maintain, or you plan a decorative finish like stamping or staining.
Pavers: When it wins
You expect ground movement, you want repairs to be invisible, or you may want to modify the layout later. Also better where utilities run underneath and may need access.
About these figuresBoth depend entirely on base preparation. A paver installation fails at the perimeter first without edge restraint; a slab cracks over uncompacted fill.