Interlocking brick has long been most people’s choice for walkways, pool decks and even driveways for added luxury and opulence. Yet in the last few years, I’ve also noticed many people making the switch to stamped or patterned concrete. Which one is better?
That question really depends on your needs – and your budget.
When comparing prices, stamped concrete tends to be a little more expensive than interlocking brick and comparably priced as flagstone. So if both options fit in your budget, it’s time to think about what area you want covered and what your expectations are.
Stamped concrete is concrete – plain and simple. It’s poured, then the stamped pattern is rolled into it, making it one big piece that looks like many pieces placed together. It’s great for driveways and walkways, particularly when the two meet, because it provides a cohesive look that’s easily completed by the professionals in a matter of hours.
Laying interlocking brick, on the other hand, is a more time consuming endeavour that you can complete yourself, if you’re so inclined.
Also beautiful on driveways and walkways, interlocking brick is a great choice for pool decks. The reason being is that if you ever need to access your piping, all you have to do is pull the stones up, and put them back down when you’re done. The same can’t be said of patterned concrete, which would need to be broken to gain access to the areas below.
However, with the extreme temperature differences we experience here, interlocking brick can shift over time, causing it to be bumpy and uneven, forcing you to have to pull the stones up, grade the surface below, and re-lay the bricks individually. This simply isn’t an issue with patterned concrete.
