Features & Benefits Compared

Product	Appearance	Initial Cost & Installation	Maintenance	Winter Durability	Snow Removal
Concrete Pavers Best Buy!	A wide range of surface finishes-smooth to textured. Many available colors, shapes, and laying patterns can compliment the architectural style of your home	Moderate-Tightly fitted, uniform units are placed over a sand bed and a compacted aggregate base. Immediately ready for use. Can be installed by homeowner. Factory-made pavers last for decades	Low-Stained or broken pavers can be easily replaced without patches. Dark colored pavers can help hide stains. Ants and weeds in joints can be prevented with sealers or herbicides.	High-Small, high density units resist cracking as well as damage from freeze-thaw and salts.. Pavers are stronger than ordinary or stamped concrete.	Smooth surface allows for easy snow removal. Pavers can be colored dark to help melt snow faster. Snow-melt systems can be installed to eliminate snow and ice removal.
Cobble Stone	Gives elegant, permanent, yet informal "Old World" feel.	Very High-Each unit must be fitted together by hand.	Low-High quality stone lasts for decades. Wide joints may encourage weeds and ants. Rough surface makes walking and driving difficult.	High-High density stone resists cracking and salts.	Rough surface makes plowing difficult.
Stamped Concrete	Surface is usually colored. Patterns look good from a distance, but close up surface looks artificial.	High-Difficult for homeowner to install. Requires special equipment to stamp stone or paver patterns into surface. Surface sealer often used.	Moderate-Cracking will likely develop. Difficult to match original color or pattern in repaired areas. Repairs leave unattractive patch.	Low-Subject to deterioration from de-icing salts. Surface sealer may provide some protection from salt attack.	Uneven surface of some patterns and textures can make plowing difficult.
Clay Pavers	Mostly shades of red and red-brown. Limited number of shapes available.	High-Concrete base often required which increases cost. Inconsistent dimensions make units slow to install and difficult to maintain straight pattern lines.	Low-Irregularities in surface make them prone to damage, especially edge chipping.	Moderate-Salts can attack and deteriorate some clay pavers.	Rough surface can make snow removal difficult.
Ordinary Concrete	Grey or light brown. Can be colored throughout or on surface only.	Moderate-Difficult for homeowner to install. Must wait 5 to 7 days for hardening before use. Surface quality depends on weather at time of pour and expertise of installers.	Moderate-Cracking will likely develop. Repairs and replaced sections leave unsightly patches. Oil stains difficult to remove.	Low-Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from salts.	Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Dark surface accelerates snow melting.
Asphalt	Limited color options. Difficult to get neat looking edges. Cracks will likely develop. Stamped and colored asphalt looks fake.	Low-Goes in quickly over compacted aggregate base. Can't be installed by homeowner.	High-Wear and weather will break down surface. Black seal coat required every 2-3 years. Ruts or pothole repairs make ugly patches. Subject to erosion from oil drippings.	Low-Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from de-icing salts.	Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Dark surface accelerates snow melting.
Asphalt	Typically a rustic look. Appearance varies with color and shape of stones.	Low-Dumped and spread over soil (no base required).	High-Scattered stone must be replaced and re-leveled regularly. Ruts from tires will likely develop.	High-Stones resist freeze-thaw cycles and salts.	Stones will scatter when plowing snow.