Whether an old-time Burqueño(ña) or recent transplant, if your home is here, your outdoor space needs to have some Albuquerque type of curb appeal. If not the charming element of the city, it must at least complement the dramatic desert landscape. To accomplish that, you can choose from the two trending styles: stamped concrete or pavers.
Both are beautiful and durable, so which one should you choose? What are the criteria when deciding which is better for your patio, walkway, or driveway? No worries, amigo(a), we’ll get down to the nitty-gritty and tackle those pesky details you need to know.
The seasons and the high desert's unique geological makeup influence Albuquerque’s choice of outdoor surfaces.
The Sandia Mountains are a source of local pride. But did you know that with them comes a hidden layer of challenge called caliche? Caliche is a layer of soil formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate over millennia. It’s basically a naturally made layer of concrete.
If you’ve ever tried to rip up one of those building blocks in the park, you’d understand. Although often deceptively solid, caliche is a factor when installing either. But how can it cause problems?
- Uneven Movement: If not excavated and compacted correctly, caliche can settle unevenly over time. As discovered by some homeowners, it can shift. Long after underlying soils have compressed, caliche continues to move downward as a slab cools and shrinks. A settlement differential as slight as a 1/16-inch between one point and another can crack a stamped concrete surface. It can shift the units to the point that you can’t walk on them.
- Drainage Issues: Caliche can restrict water drainage. With Albuquerque's occasional heavy rainstorms, proper drainage is important. Standing water can damage both types of flooring. Worse, it can also lead to the growth of mildew or moss on concrete.
Albuquerque has dangerous freeze-thaw cycles. This happens when snow comes and melts and comes again, repeatedly above and below freezing all winter. Surfaces outdoors can show stress from this water expanding with the cold. The good news? Both materials can endure these fluctuations well if installed properly.
Stamped concrete in Albuquerque will last through freeze-thaw cycles if it’s properly formulated and installed with a proper base material. If it’s done that way, you can just use a plain concrete mix like you would normally use for a sidewalk. And if it’s a freeze-thaw mix, it will have air entrainment admixtures that incorporate air bubbles into the concrete that allow it to expand and contract without cracking.
As with pavers, the materials used, especially concrete ones, are naturally resilient to freeze-thaw cycles. But for that to happen, they need a good, well-compacted base. Select materials with a compressive strength that works in the Albuquerque climate.
Of course, there is no escaping the sun when choosing when deciding which to use; we get 310 days of it. Stamped concrete absorbs heat, and walking barefoot is impossible unless you want to burn your feet. It’s gorgeous and affordable, but it is a bad choice for sun-baked patios or pool decks.
Meanwhile, lighter-colored pavers become heat reflectors, owing to their Solar Reflectance Index, or SRI. They keep surfaces underfoot cooler and are ideal for patios and walkways. It is especially useful for pool decks where you’ll need paving for years to come. With it, you won’t have to replace the whole deck if a unit gets damaged.
Stamped Concrete's Stage:
- Budget-Friendly Elegance: Can’t afford to spend much on your patio, sidewalk, or driveway? Stamped concrete may initially be much less expensive to install and ranges from $7 to $30 per square foot compared to paver’s $10 to $50 price range per square foot. It is a fabulous alternative for bringing a touch of elegance to your budget-minded home.
- Versatility of Design: Stamped concrete is much more design-flexible. It looks like natural materials, and can be incorporated with homes of any architectural style. You can make it look like flagstone or cobblestone. Bring Tuscany to your patio with a Saltillo tile-patterned stamped concrete. Or, if you want to create a classic look for your New Mexico home, go with a flagstone pattern.
- Curve Connoisseurs: Daydreaming about a curved walkway or patio? Stamped concrete creates smooth curves better than any other hardscape option. It gives you more design freedom than pavers, which can commonly be found only in straight-sided shapes. Read more about stamped concrete pros and cons.
Pavers' Place in the Sun:
- Sunshine Wins: Since we have too many sunny days, a lighter-colored paver for patios, pool decks, or walkways is your best bet. These pavers reflect the sun’s rays, so your outdoor space will just be cooler to enjoy when the sun is high.
- Durability Champions: While both paving materials are durable, pavers can win that category. This is because a damaged single paver is easy to replace, while concrete ‘repairs’ are generally more extensive. To top that off, pavers are much more durable and can withstand heavy loads.
- DIY-friendly: Like the sound of a weekend project? Pavers are more adaptable to DIY installations than their stamped counterparts, though a professional touch always adds value.
Now, let's delve into the nitty-gritty aspects that will influence your final decision:
- Costs: Stamped concrete is usually installed for less than pavers upfront. But don’t let that blindside you. You need to factor in costs over the long term – stamped concrete requires resealing every 3 to 5 years. As for pavers, you need to get down and dirty for some weeding between the units.
- Maintenance: Both are quite low maintenance. Stamped slabs might periodically need resealing, while pavers might occasionally need some weed control. Also, Albuquerque gets significantly less rain than much of the country, so extensive cleaning shouldn’t be an issue. Just be mindful of caliche formation so they don’t harden on your floor surface.
- DIY or Pro?: Although stamped concrete DIY kits are available online, a flawless, professional finish is difficult to achieve. What’s the point? Well, for either of the two, it is still best to bargain shop around for a reputable concrete contractor in Albuquerque NM with skill and expertise for the best results.
- Local ordinances: You don’t want to shed money and just get slapped with fines because you failed to get a permit. Check with the City of Albuquerque Planning Department to make sure you comply with local ordinances.
