![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Manufacturers are really doing a fantastic job regarding options and styles and color blends as well. Techo-Bloc HD2, Nicolock's Pavershield technology, Cambridge Armortec), sealants, and protectants. This can be minimized through the use of surface mix pavers (ie. Another consideration for pavers and any concrete product in general is that it will weather and at some point in the lifetime of the product you are likely to see aggregate in the concrete begin to show. But just like formulas for house paint, the manufacturers are constantly changing and upgrading the formula. We have some projects that are over 10 years old now and have needed zero maintenance on the polymeric sand joint. However the product and polymers do tend to break down over time and have to be either pressure washed out and replaced or vacuumed out. Because this is an adhesive type of product and polymer, it is flexible with freeze and thaw cycles where mortar is not. It is a modified polymer mixed with dry sand that is activated with water. A lot of advancements have been made in a product we use to sweep between the joints called polymeric sand. However industry standards (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute: ICPI) sets the minimum concrete strength at 8000 psi! This also means more joints though and the possibility of weeds and anthills. This results in bright white patches when surface is fractured.Ĭoncrete pavers are essentially individual cast units of concrete, which allows a flexible pavement for freeze and thaw cycles. Contractors often use a lower psi concrete and don't color the concrete all the way through. If you choose concrete, be sure your contractor specifies and installs adequate reinforcement (wire mesh or rebar) and ask what psi concrete they are using. You can try to patch it, but concrete is extremely difficult to match and especially so if it is dyed or tinted. Also the surface is not really repairable if something is dropped on the patio and fractures or spalls the surface. If it does crack (and at some point it WILL), there is not much you can do to repair it other than caulk the crack to prevent water from entering and widening the crack. Control joints are typically cut or tooled in to help control the cracking and limit it to the joint. So even with the best installations it will eventually crack. Poured concrete is typically installed between 2500-4000 psi and does not flex with freeze and thaw cycles. You won't have weeds or anthills between joints unless you get dirt filling up the control joints or future cracks. Poured in place concrete, either broom finish or stamped, is very permanent and tends to be less expensive. ![]()
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