The Benefits of Choosing Patio Pavers for Your Outdoor Space in St. Louis

St. Louis weather can be unpredictable, with hot summers, freezing winters, and everything in between. Patio pavers are designed to withstand these conditions, making them a more reliable choice than traditional concrete, which can crack over time.

• Resistant to Cracking & Shifting – Missouri can experience 50-70 freeze thaw cycles in a single winter season.  When water infiltrates cracks in concrete it will freeze and thus expand when the temperature drops below 32°.  Repeated freezing and thawing can be detrimental to concrete causing it to crack.  In addition if there is poor drainage under the concrete, water in the soil can freeze, creating upward pressere and can lift the concrete slightly (a process known as frost heave).  When the temperature rises and the ice melts the poorly drained soil underneath can become soft and loose its ability to support the weight of the concrete.  Over time, repeated freeze-thaw cycles cause the soil to compact unevenly, creating voids underneath the concrete.  As a result, slabs, driveways, and sidewalks may sink or become uneven, which can be costly to repair or replace,  On the other hand if this process occurs with concrete pavers, the repairs can be a relatively simple repair.  The bottom line, whether you decide on poured concrete or concrete paves, installation of good draining aggregate underneath in crucial.  I always tell my customers the the most important part of the job is what we are doing under the concrete or pavers.                                                                                                                                                                    

• Long-Lasting Materials – Natural stone, brick, and concrete pavers maintain their strength for decades.   Each of these materials will weather but if installed will still look great many years down the road.  Natural stone, as it ages, can take on a worn charming appearance.  Many of the newer style concrete pavers are constructed with high-compression techniques and other technologies, resulting in superior strength over traditional poured concrete and standard brick pavers.  Belgard and Unilock are two brands of pavers that we use.  Both of these companies stand behind their products with lifetime transferable warranties.  This goes to show the durability of these products.

• Easy Repairs –  One of the greatest benefits of working with patio pavers is their ease to repair. If a paver becomes damaged, you can replace just one piece instead of redoing the entire surface  If a paver settles it can be lifted and repositioned.  Repairs are not so easy with poured concrete.