Pavers vs. Concrete Patio: Which Is Better in the Pacific Northwest?

The material: what you are standing on

Concrete pavers are made in a factory under pressure and are rated at about 8,000 psi. Poured residential concrete is usually 3,000 to 4,000 psi. Individual pavers are denser and stronger than a poured slab.

The bigger difference is how each handles movement. The ground here shifts as it goes from saturated in winter to dry in summer, and tree roots push from below. A paver surface is hundreds of small units with sand joints, so it flexes with that movement. A concrete slab is one rigid piece, so it resists until it cracks.

For looks, pavers come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and textures, and you can add borders and patterns. Concrete can be left plain, colored, finished with exposed aggregate, or stamped to imitate stone.

Longevity and repairs
A properly built paver patio lasts 30 to 50 years or more. A concrete slab typically lasts 25 to 30 years before cracking, surface wear, or settling makes replacement worth considering.

Repairs are where the two differ most:
– Pavers: If a section settles, we lift those pavers, fix the base, and set the same pavers back. If one stains or chips, it gets swapped. The repair disappears into the rest of the patio.
– Concrete: A crack can be filled or patched, but new concrete never matches old. A sunken or badly cracked section usually means cutting out and repouring, and the new piece will stand out.

This also matters if you ever need to get under the surface for a drain line, irrigation, or a utility repair. Pavers come up and go back down. Concrete gets cut.

Maintenance in Pacific Northwest weather
Both surfaces grow moss and algae here, especially in shade. Plan on washing either one about once a year.

1) Pavers
Top up joint sand every few years. Full joints keep out weeds and moss.
Use a wide fan tip and moderate pressure when washing so you do not blast the sand out.
Sealing is optional. It deepens color and makes cleaning easier.

2) Concrete
Reseal every 2 to 3 years to slow water absorption and surface wear.
Fill cracks as they appear so water does not widen them over winter.
Colored and stamped finishes fade without sealer and need it more often.

Winter matters more the farther north and east you are. Parts of Whatcom County and the foothills see more freeze-thaw cycles, and water that freezes inside a concrete crack makes it bigger each year. Paver joints give that movement somewhere to go.

Cost: pavers vs. concrete
Plain concrete is the least expensive to install, pavers cost more, and stamped concrete lands close to pavers. Typical installed ranges in Northwest Washington:

– Broom-finish concrete: $10 to $18 per square foot installed. A 300 square foot patio runs about $3,000 to $5,400.
– Stamped or colored concrete: $16 to $28 per square foot installed. A 300 square foot patio runs about $4,800 to $8,400.
– Concrete pavers: $20 to $35 per square foot installed. A 300 square foot patio runs about $6,000 to $10,500.

What moves the price for either one:
– Access. A backyard with no machine access means more hand work.
– Soil and slope. Soft, wet, or sloped ground needs more excavation and base rock.
– Demolition. Removing an old slab or deck adds labor and disposal.
– Size and shape. Curves, borders, and small areas cost more per square foot.
– Material choice. Premium pavers and detailed stamp patterns sit at the top of each range.

Up-front price is only part of the cost. Pavers cost more to install but less to repair, and they rarely need full replacement. Concrete is cheaper to install, but a slab that cracks badly at year 15 may need to be torn out and redone. Over 25 or 30 years, the gap between the two narrows and often flips.