Concrete Paving vs. Interlocking Concrete Pavers: Choosing the Right Solution for Commercial Projects
When preparing to embark on a commercial hardscape project, one of the most frequently asked questions by commercial property owners and developers is whether to make use of poured concrete or interlocking pavers. Both of these products are widely used in San Diego County for commercial drive lanes, walkways, plazas, parking lots, and more – but they are used for very different purposes and have very different outcomes.
Understanding the Concept of Poured Concrete Paving
Poured concrete paving is merely the surface area created by pouring and finishing the concrete at the construction site. It is frequently used for large open spaces such as loading zones, service drives, sidewalks, and structural slabs.
The advantages of using poured concrete are as follows:
Perhaps the largest advantage of using poured concrete is its efficiency – large spaces can be poured in no time at all. It is also extremely clean and can be finished in a variety of ways.
However, the disadvantage of using poured concrete is its rigidity – as the concrete cures and reacts to temperature changes and ground shifts, cracking is unavoidable. While control joints can be made to limit the cracking to desired areas, the repair of such cracking can be costly – as the entire area may need to be replaced.
What Makes Interlocking Concrete Pavers Different
Interlocking concrete pavers are individual units placed over a base with sand-filled space between them. The individual units act as a single system instead of one slab. This flexibility of the system allows for ground movement without cracks.
This flexibility of the system is one of the advantages of using either of these systems. The ability to withstand ground movement makes them suitable for use in areas prone to such movement. In addition, individual units of the system can be removed when one section of the surface is damaged and access to the area under the surface is needed.
From a design perspective, one of the advantages of using the interlocking concrete pavers system over poured concrete is the variety of designs possible with the former. The variety of colors, textures, shapes, and patterns of the individual units allows for customization of the surface.
Performance in High-Traffic Commercial Areas
The two systems can perform equally well when installed correctly. However, the performance of each of the systems varies.
Poured concrete performs exceptionally well in situations where a wide surface area is needed with minimal need to access the surface. The system is thus suitable for service areas, loading docks, and structural paving.
Interlocking concrete pavers perform exceptionally well in situations where pedestrian traffic is high. The system performs exceptionally well in pedestrian walkways, courtyards, and plazas. In addition, the system performs exceptionally well in vehicle-access surfaces such as fire lanes and parking stalls when commercial-grade pavers are used.
Maintenance and Long-Term Costs
Maintenance of the two systems varies.
This means that the concrete itself needs less day-to-day maintenance but that repair can be more involved and costly if damage occurs.
Finally, pavers may need occasional replenishment of sand within the joints, but repair is fast and localized if damage occurs. Because of this repairability, long-term costs are lower over the life of the pavement, especially in cases where there are buried infrastructure or changing needs.
Environmental and Drainage Considerations
Stormwater management is also becoming more and more significant in the San Diego area as the city works to protect its waterways and comply with regulations regarding stormwater runoff.
Interlocking pavers can be installed as a permeable pavement system, which means that stormwater can actually pass through the pavers and down into the earth.
Conventional concrete pavement relies on surface grading and drainage infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff.
Choosing the Right System for Your Project
The choice between the two depends on the needs of the client and the project at hand. Often, the best choice is to utilize the strengths of each system within the same project. For instance, a retail center could utilize poured concrete for service drives and structural components but also incorporate pavers in the walkways and entrance areas.
Prestige Contracting is a premier construction company that offers the best of both worlds: poured concrete and interlocking paver systems. By offering the full gamut of options within one company, Prestige Contracting can help clients make the right choice for each area of the project without having to make trade-offs between one system or the other.
Built for Performance and Appearance
The success of either of these systems relies on the proper planning and installation of the project. Subgrade, drainage, reinforcing, and finishing are just some of the considerations that must be addressed in order to create an effective final product.
Prestige Contracting has decades of experience in the construction industry, focusing on commercial concrete and paving projects in the San Diego area. From structural paving to decorative paver installations, the team at Prestige Contracting strives to create surfaces that not only perform well but also look professional and polished.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which material, poured or pavers, is more durable?
Pavers are more durable than poured concrete, especially over the long run, as they are able to flex and be repaired without cracking.
2. Is interlocking concrete paver material suitable for vehicular traffic?
Yes, interlocking pavers are suitable for vehicular traffic, including fire lanes and parking areas, when installed over an engineered base.
3. Is poured concrete less expensive than pavers?
Yes, poured concrete tends to be less expensive than pavers, but pavers may be less expensive in the long run.
4. Can interlocking pavers be used to meet stormwater management regulations?
Yes, pavers are able to be installed as a permeable paver, allowing water to percolate through the pavers.
5. Can Prestige Contracting install both poured concrete and pavers on the same project?
Yes, the team at Prestige Contracting installs both poured concrete and interlocking pavers, ensuring that the entire project, no matter the material, is done well.