If you are looking to have a new driveway installed, you may find yourself torn between a traditional concrete driveway or a paver driveway. Paver driveways have increased in popularity, but that does not mean that they are always the right option for everyone. Here are a few of the benefits that a traditional concrete driveway has over a paver driveway. 

The Cost

One of the biggest differences between concrete driveways and paver driveways is the cost. It is important to note that there are different types of pavers, and some are cheaper than others based on the material the pavers are made from and the thickness of the paver. However, as a general rule of thumb, a concrete driveway is much cheaper than a paver driveway. On top of the cost typically being higher for pavers compared to concrete, pavers each need to be placed by hand. Paver driveways have higher labor costs as the process to place all of those pavers can take days. 

Design Options

Another benefit associated with a concrete driveway compared to a paver one is that a concrete driveway has many design options. One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that there are more design options with pavers. Pavers actually come in limited shapes and colors, which limits the patterns and color scheme of the driveway. Concrete can actually be stamped, stained, etched, or scored to change up the color, texture, and look of the driveway. You can get a completely unique driveway using one or more of these concrete methods. 

Cleaning and Maintenance 

The final advantage that a concrete driveway has over paver driveways is cleaning and maintenance. Concrete driveways need less care than paver driveways. Pavers should be sealed to keep them looking their best. They then need to be routinely cleaned to protect the sealant and the paver. Pavers also need to be lifted and raised as individual pavers can start to sink or shift. Concrete simply needs to be pressure washed approximately once a year to keep it looking its best. 

If you are in need of a new driveway, you may find yourself torn between concrete and pavers. While paver driveways may look beautiful, they can also be more expensive and require more care and maintenance than concrete. Concrete can have decorative touches to make it unique and beautiful. Reach out to a concrete contractor today to learn more about concrete driveways.