Poured concrete is the most common material used for outdoor spaces and offers the advantage of a durable surface with many design options to fit into any landscape. Pavers are individual pieces that can have an interlocking or square-edged design and can be made of different materials, such as precast concrete, bricks, stone slabs, or pavers. Pavers are used as an alternative to concrete to pave driveways, patios, walkways, and other outdoor areas.

Cost and Installation
The cost per square foot of concrete is lower than any type of paver, making it a more affordable paving material. Concrete also offers labor and time cost savings because it is relatively easier to install than pavers, which require tedious site preparation as the base must be packed tightly so that the pieces do not settle.

visual appeal
Without a doubt, pavers look much better than a simple gray concrete pavement. The colors and texture of the pavers exhibit a natural charm. The good thing is that concrete is such a versatile material that many techniques can be applied to it to completely transform its appearance. Being able to look like real pavers is just one of the effects that can be achieved with concrete, without the price of pavers. Concrete can be stamped, stained, etched, scratched, stenciled, and embedded with stones, to name a few possibilities.

Maintenance
Concrete slabs are virtually maintenance free, especially if they are sealed, making the surface impervious to all kinds of spills and stains. With pavers, the material itself is also low-maintenance, but the spaces between each piece often need regular care because weeds, grass, and moss will grow in these joints. In addition to regularly removing weeds before they infest the area, the homeowner should also watch out for moving pavers and cracks in mortared pavers. Brick and concrete pavers are also susceptible to staining. The gravel or sand between the joints

Sustainability
Concrete slabs are significantly more durable than pavers, but ground movement greatly affects concrete, making it more prone to cracking if the ground below becomes unstable, even though its surface will still be flat. However, the cobblestones will not crack when the ground settles because the settlement will affect individual units. However, they could become tripping hazards when some of the pavers move upwards as a result of ground movement.

repair and replacement
This is where pavers have an advantage over concrete. Since the pavers consist of separate units, if a couple of pavers get damaged, simply remove those pieces and replace them with new ones, easy and cheap. It is the opposite with concrete if the slab sustains severe damage and requires replacement. The entire slab would have to be removed and a new concrete surface installed. This problem can be largely avoided by hiring a professional concrete contractor to do your concrete work to ensure quality base preparation and concrete installation. Also, keep in mind that concrete replacement is always a last resort and is done only when the structure is no longer sound. Aesthetic problems on the concrete surface can be repaired or the concrete can be recoated at a reasonable cost.

Combination of pavers and concrete
As you can see, concrete and pavers have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you have a hard time deciding which one to use, why not combine them? Concrete is a great base for pavers. Placing pavers over concrete will eliminate problems with pavers moving out of place and creating uneven surfaces. Consult with a professional concrete contractor to explore this option.