Pavers vs Stamped Concrete for a patio in Seattle weather? (Pacific: house, transfer)

[pagetrip29]

Hello,

This question has probably been asked many times but I want to know the answer specifically in context of PNW weather. Also, most of the times one option always costs higher than the other. In my case the price quoted was the same for doing both stamped/stained concrete and pavers. Our existing desk is not safe anymore so we have to replace it anyways.

Cost (900 sqft): $9.5K for stamped/stained concrete and $10K for pavers . Both contractors offered warranty where they do annual maintenance for 10 years and it can be transferred to the new owner when we sell. The concrete guy offered to build a small firepit which is an added little bonus.

Since the price is almost the same for both the options, which one would you recommend based on the following factors:

• Adding to home value in general (planning to sell the house in 5 years)
  
• What do local folks mostly prefer? Concrete or pavers?
  
• Stability: We live in Pacific Northwest where it rains a lot and our house is at the bottom of the hill so we do get a lot of water. The bids include building good drainage to direct rain water into french drain system that is connected to sewer. But generally speaking, is one preferable over the other for soft/wet soil?
  
• Multiple levels vs 1 level: Our backyard is slightly sloped so with concrete we will end up getting 2 levels of patio. One step down from the entrance and second step down towards end of patio. With Pavers, it is all in one level. Two steps down at the entrance then one level of pavers throughout.
  
• Maintenance and repair costs
  

The samples for stamped/stained concrete that were shown to me were really nice looking but overall pavers had slight edge in terms of looks.

Thank you.

[StealthRabbit]

get actual referrals (from each) of projects over 5 - 10 yrs old (Especially stamped concrete)

Personally... I would want a surface that would provide aquifer recharge (I've seen these in UK) Really BIG perf blocks you can drive on.

But... for simplicity, value, maint, and function, I would do stamped concrete or real stone. (If I knew precisely where installer was placing control joints + I had seen several jobs they had done and talked to owners.

I still get stamped concrete done for <$6/ SF. ~ $2 if I do it myself. (I stamp and stain for my own projects)

[pagetrip29]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

get actual referrals (from each) of projects over 5 - 10 yrs old (Especially stamped concrete)

Personally... I would want a surface that would provide aquifer recharge (I've seen these in UK) Really BIG perf blocks you can drive on.

But... for simplicity, value, maint, and function, I would do stamped concrete or real stone. (If I knew precisely where installer was placing control joints + I had seen several jobs they had done and talked to owners.

I still get stamped concrete done for <$6/ SF. ~ $2 if I do it myself. (I stamp and stain for my own projects)

How do you get it done for <$6? Can you refer me anyone that you know? Thanks.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by pagetrip29

How do you get it done for <$6? Can you refer me anyone that you know? Thanks.

I'm not in Seattle, and have a lot of friends who are contractors, so can plug into their 'free-time' (When they are paying employees, but slow on work. )

A lot depends on your site (access, grade, soils, distance to concrete batchplant...)

My issue with pavers is heaving soils / roots / rocks / weeds.

My issue with stamped is... will it stay nice! where will it crack? (It WILL crack)

[homesinseattle]

Either can be okay but keep the surface smooth. We made a mistake and had a texture put on our back patio when it was poured, wish I had that decision back. It looks great and kind of Tuscan-like when it is dry/clean but tends to accumulate dirt/grime, pain in the butt to spray it out of the grooves.

[Sockeye66]

I did a patio in stamped/stained concrete w/ fire pit and it looked great and held up well.

The stain was a really nice PNW green.

[tdougan]

Stamped is less maintenance. Power wash it annually

[dav51lin]

it will all get green ,black moldy in no time in the PNW u will need to
pressure wash it often if u want it looking good

[prisc]

I dont live in seattle, but according to the work I have had, stamped concrete may be simple to scrub and requires no maintenance to stay, but its patterned appearance. One of its significant drawback is that it lacks durability compared to other finished surfaces!

[Hemlock140]

With our amount of rain, any large solid surface will eventually start to sink, often in one direction, and become out of level, or develop big cracks. Using something like pavers with the individual pieces and porous space in between allows the water to soak through evenly, and if there is any sinking, it can easily be corrected.