Pavers, concrete or stone: which is right?
Look, cost, durability, repairs and care for the four most popular patio materials, side by side.
The honest comparison.
| Compare | Pavers | Stamped concrete | Natural stone | Porcelain pavers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Many colors, textures and patterns | Slate, stone, brick or wood textures in one slab | Natural color and texture, no two alike | Clean modern stone, concrete or wood looks |
| Typical cost* | About $15 to $30+ per sq ft | About $10 to $22+ per sq ft | About $20 to $45+ per sq ft | About $25 to $50+ per sq ft |
| Durability | Excellent on a good base; flexes with the ground | Good; can crack with ground movement | Excellent; weathers beautifully | Excellent; dense and frost resistant |
| Repairs | Lift and reset individual pavers | Cracks and stains are harder to hide | Replace or reset individual stones | Replace individual tiles |
| Maintenance | Joint sand refresh; optional sealer | Reseal every few years | Occasional cleaning | Almost none; no sealing |
| Slip resistance | Good textured options | Good with textured sealer additive | Varies; choose textured stone | Choose rated textured surfaces |
| Best for | Most patios, drives and walks | Large seamless areas on a budget | Gardens, historic and high-end looks | Modern homes, pools and covered patios |
*Published U.S. planning ranges. Real cost depends on size, base, pattern, access and site conditions. Your written estimate is the final word.
Which one should you choose?
Choose pavers
If you want the best all-round value: flexible, repairable and available in endless colors and patterns.
Choose stamped concrete
If you want a seamless surface on a budget and accept that cracks can happen.
Choose natural stone
If character and a high-end, timeless look matter most to you.
Choose porcelain
If you want a sleek modern look with almost no maintenance, especially around pools.
Questions, answered
Pavers, stamped concrete or natural stone: which should I choose?
Pavers are flexible and repairable, stamped concrete is seamless and economical, and natural stone has unmatched character. Porcelain is the modern, low-maintenance option. We show samples and costs for each in your own yard light.
How much does a hardscape project cost?
Published U.S. planning ranges commonly run about $15 to $30 or more per square foot for paver patios, more for natural stone and porcelain and less for stamped concrete, with retaining walls roughly $30 to $80 or more per square foot of wall face. The Cost Estimator and Backyard Planner on this site give planning ranges; a free site visit gives a firm written estimate. Call 615-431-3789.
What makes a patio last on Middle Tennessee clay?
The base. We excavate to depth, compact the soil, add geotextile where needed and build the stone base in compacted lifts with the surface sloped to drain. That is what keeps pavers from sinking and walls from leaning.
Still deciding?
We bring samples to your yard and show costs for each material.