When choosing between concrete slabs and pavers for your outdoor space, consider your budget and maintenance preferences. Slabs are larger, poured-concrete sections that are more affordable upfront and offer a clean, seamless look. Pavers are individual interlocking units that are more expensive but highly durable, flexible against ground shifting, and easy to repair.
Paving stones are also more expensive than concrete, but they are still more durable than paving slabs. If you choose concrete slabs, you will end up spending less overall.
Cleaning patio pavers with Dawn dish soap is a safe, effective, and budget-friendly way to remove everyday dirt, grime, and grease. Because it’s a mild surfactant, it lifts stains without damaging the stone’s integrity or stripping away protective sealers.
For most homeowners, the installed cost of a 20×20 paver patio ranges from $6,000 to $14,000, depending on materials, site conditions, and design complexity. These prices usually include materials, base preparation, labor, and standard installation, but not every contractor scopes projects the same way.
While pavers offer beautiful customization and easy repairs, they come with a few notable drawbacks. The biggest disadvantages are their high upfront installation cost, labor-intensive installation process, and susceptibility to weed growth and shifting over time.
In terms of material costs alone, concrete is generally cheaper than pavers, especially if you're opting for plain, poured concrete. However, the flexibility and variety offered by pavers might justify the higher price for some homeowners.
Water does not typically drain through the material of the pavers themselves, as most standard pavers (like concrete, brick, or natural stone) are dense and solid. Instead, water drains through the gaps (joints) between the pavers.
A paver patio is generally cheaper to install, costing roughly $10 to $45 per square foot, compared to a deck, which typically runs between $25 and $60+ per square foot depending on the material. However, decks often provide a higher long-term return on investment (ROI) and handle sloped terrain much better.
Yes, you can absolutely put pavers over an existing concrete slab, provided the concrete is in good condition. This overlay method saves time and money, but requires careful planning regarding drainage, height clearances, and installation methods.
The best paver material depends on your project. Concrete is the most popular, affordable, and versatile choice. Porcelain is best for a sleek, stain-resistant modern look. Natural stone (like flagstone or limestone) provides unique, upscale aesthetics, while brick offers classic charm.
Pressure washing your pavers is highly effective, but it comes with a major catch. Done incorrectly, the high-pressure water will strip away the joint sand, erode the paver surface, and cause permanent scarring. If you decide to pressure wash, keep the PSI at 1,500 or lower and use a wide fan nozzle.
The ultimate lazy shower hack is the "Shower and Soak" method. Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and original blue Dawn dish soap in a soap-dispensing dish brush. Keep it in your shower, and while your hair conditioner sits, give the walls a quick scrub. Rinse as you shower for a perpetually clean bathroom.
Can You Clean Pavers Without Chemicals? If you prefer to use eco-friendly products, vinegar, and baking soda are viable alternatives. When they are mixed with water, they can be a powerful cleaning agent. Also, they're both safe for your pets and plants!
Let's look at some of the best cheap patio materials on the market.
Yes, installing pavers can increase your home's value, typically offering a solid Return on Investment (ROI) ranging from 30% to 100%. The exact financial return depends heavily on location, material quality, and craftsmanship.
Block paving is a common choice of paving material – but one of the big caveats is that it isn't permeable, unlike an alternative such as resin. Why is permeability such an issue when choosing a paving material for your drive, patio or garden? The problem is that non-porous paving doesn't allow natural drainage.
Spring Remains the Best Time to Put in a Paver Patio
While planning should start earlier, spring is still the most dependable season for installation. After winter rains begin to ease, soil conditions stabilize enough to support proper base preparation and compaction.
Skipping the sand (or bedding aggregate) under pavers causes them to quickly shift, sink, and crack. Without this leveling layer to adjust for the uneven gravel base or raw dirt, your pavers will become a wobbly, uneven trip hazard that retains water and easily sprouts weeds.
The most cost-effective ways to cover a concrete patio include rolling out a large, weather-resistant outdoor rug, applying a fresh coat of concrete stain, or snapping together DIY interlocking deck tiles. These options instantly conceal cracks and stains, requiring minimal tools or professional labor.
The cost of a 20x20 deck can vary greatly depending on materials, labor, location, and additional features. On average, you might expect to pay between $12,000 and $24,000 for a professional installation of this size.
Best budget patio tip – shop second hand
The best cheap garden paving idea is to use second-hand paving slabs, bricks or stone. By choosing to re-use and recycle, you'll be able to keep costs down while also saving building materials from going to landfill – so it's a more environmentally friendly option too.
A 20-foot by 20-foot concrete patio runs between $3,200 to $7,200, including labor and materials.
Answer. Yes, Dawn soap can be used to clean pavers. Mix a few drops of Dawn with water, scrub the surface with a brush, and rinse thoroughly. However, for tough stains or large areas, a specialized paver cleaner may be more effective.
7 Common Paver Installation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Hand tamping is generally acceptable for small, low-traffic projects like a garden path or a small patio (under 50 sq ft). However, for larger areas, driveways, or projects requiring structural integrity, it falls short of the deep, uniform compaction achieved by mechanical plate compactors.