Concrete vs. Pavers for Large Driveway Where Kids Play

Rachel Lee
by Rachel Lee
We need to redo our large circle driveway and are trying to decide between a slight stamped concrete and pavers. While pavers seems like a better long-term choice, our young kids LOVE riding bikes and scooters, playing basketball and even tennis on the driveway. I'm worried that pavers will be too bumpy.
  2 answers
  • Colleen S Colleen S on May 28, 2014
    pavers will be too bumpy, basketballs will bounce off kilter, bumpy bike riding and forget roller skating. Save it for when the kids are older and you can enjoy it.
  • Ponce Construction Ponce Construction on Jun 17, 2014
    We have a C8 Concrete license in California, and have seen both pavers and concrete installed in driveways, and Colleen is correct. The kids will have a hard time playing on the pavers, and unless they are installed correctly, you will see over time that they lift up and the sand installed between them tends to go away. A slight colored stamped concrete would be much better for your situation, and it also lasts longer. Make sure however, that whomever you hire, you check out their license on the CSLB's website which is: www.cslb.ca.gov to make sure they are licensed in the C8 concrete classification, and that they are insured and are in good standing with no complaints against them. There are a lot of bad guys out there, and we hate seeing nice homeowners get ripped off. It makes our job as one of the "good" guys much harder with all of the bad unlicensed contractors out there. Also make sure that the concrete contractor you hire installs a thicker concrete deck than normal for your driveway along with a sand sub base with wire mesh and rebar placed in strategic places to help prevent cracking. Would also suggest if you have a very large driveway that installing some drainage would be a good idea that's tied into your curbhole drain. And finally to help prevent cracking especially here in southern California where we have earthquakes every other day practically that they score the concrete to help prevent cracking. Hope this helps and let us know how it turns out please!