Concrete vs Brick Pavers: What's the Difference?
Concrete and brick pavers can both create durable patios, walkways and outdoor spaces, but they differ in appearance, manufacturing, color options, price and long-term maintenance.
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Use the Paver Calculator How Many Pavers Do I Need?Concrete vs Brick Pavers at a Glance
| Feature | Concrete Pavers | Brick Pavers |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Cement-based concrete | Fired clay |
| Colors | Very wide range | Natural clay tones |
| Shapes | Many shapes and sizes | Often traditional rectangular formats |
| Appearance | Modern to stone-like | Classic brick appearance |
| Color Change | Pigments can weather or fade | Color is inherent to the clay body |
| Cost | Wide price range | Often premium depending on product |
What Are Concrete Pavers?
Concrete pavers are manufactured from cement, aggregates, water and pigments. They are molded into controlled sizes and shapes.
They can imitate:
- Natural stone
- Slate
- Cobblestone
- Brick
- Large modern slabs
What Are Brick Pavers?
Traditional brick pavers are made from clay that is shaped and fired at high temperature.
The resulting color comes largely from the clay and firing process rather than a surface coating.
Which Has More Design Options?
Concrete generally offers more shapes, textures and manufactured color choices.
Brick pavers tend to have a more traditional palette of reds, browns and earth tones, although exact colors vary considerably.
Which Is More Durable?
Both can provide long service when the product is appropriate for the application and the base is properly installed.
Performance depends on:
- Paver strength
- Base construction
- Drainage
- Freeze-thaw exposure
- Vehicle loads
- Installation quality
Which Maintains Color Better?
Clay brick has color throughout the material, so normal surface wear does not expose a differently colored concrete body.
Concrete paver appearance can change over time depending on pigments, sunlight, weather and surface finish.
Can Pavers Crack?
Individual concrete or brick pavers can crack, particularly when subjected to excessive loading, impact or poor base support.
One advantage of a segmented paver surface is that an individual damaged unit can often be replaced without replacing the entire patio.
Which Is Easier to Replace?
Both are relatively repairable compared with a large monolithic slab, provided matching replacement units are available.
Keeping several unused pavers from the original installation can make future matching easier.
Concrete vs Brick Pavers in Freeze-Thaw Climates
Product suitability matters greatly where freezing occurs.
Use pavers specifically manufactured and rated for the climate and install them over a properly drained base.
Water trapped beneath or inside unsuitable materials can contribute to freeze-thaw damage.
Which Is Better for a Patio?
Both can work well. Concrete offers more design flexibility, while brick can create a traditional architectural look.
Which Is Better for a Walkway?
Again, both are suitable when the product and base are appropriate. Consider texture and slip resistance as well as appearance.
Which Is Better for a Driveway?
Choose products specifically rated for driveways and vehicle loads.
Paver thickness, base depth and edge restraint can differ from a pedestrian installation.
Maintenance
Both surfaces may need periodic:
- Cleaning
- Weed management at joints
- Replacement of joint material
- Resetting of displaced units
Some concrete products may also have optional sealing recommendations.
Should Pavers Be Sealed?
Sealing is product- and preference-dependent. Sealers can affect color, sheen and stain resistance.
Always use a sealer approved for the exact paver material.
How Much Do You Need?
Regardless of material:
1. Calculate project area.
2. Determine coverage per paver.
3. Add waste.
4. Round up to whole units or pallets.
Calculate your paver quantity
Use MyBuildCalculator before ordering concrete or brick pavers.
Calculate PaversWhich Should You Choose?
| If Your Priority Is... | Material to Consider |
|---|---|
| Very wide design selection | Concrete |
| Traditional clay appearance | Brick |
| Large modern formats | Concrete |
| Color through the material body | Brick |
| Stone-look textures | Concrete |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are brick pavers stronger than concrete pavers?
Strength varies by product. Compare the actual manufacturer's performance specifications rather than relying only on material type.
Do concrete pavers fade?
Color can change with sunlight, weathering and surface wear. The amount varies by product and pigment system.
Can brick pavers be used for driveways?
Yes, when the specific brick paver and installation system are rated for vehicular loads.
How much extra should I order?
About 5% to 10% is a common planning range for simple layouts, while complicated patterns may require more.