Honestly, poured concrete ended up being less hassle and cheaper long-term for my flat lot. Less maintenance, fewer surprises. Just my two cents.
- Totally get where you’re coming from. I went with pavers because I liked the look, but yeah, the shifting and weeds are real.
- Drainage was a pain to figure out—flat ground just doesn’t help.
- If I had to do it again, I’d probably lean toward concrete too. Less to worry about down the line.
- Still, if you’re set on pavers, just double down on the prep and maybe invest in better weed barrier. It’s not impossible, just takes more work than I expected.
Honestly, I wrestled with the same decision. Concrete is definitely lower maintenance, but I just couldn’t get past how much more character pavers add. If you’re set on pavers, here’s what worked for me: dig deeper than you think you need (seriously, I learned the hard way), use a solid gravel base, and don’t skimp on the compactor. For drainage, I added a subtle slope—barely noticeable but enough to keep water moving. Weed barrier helps, but I still get the occasional stubborn sprout... nature always finds a way.
I hear you on the weeds—no matter what, they find a way through. When I did my patio, I actually went overboard with the gravel base, probably 8 inches, and it’s been rock solid since. I do wish I’d spent a bit more time getting the slope just right, though. Even a tiny low spot collects water after a heavy rain... live and learn, I guess.
- Totally agree on the gravel—going thicker with the base is always better for stability, but yeah, slope is everything.
- Even a 1-2% grade makes a difference for drainage. I’ve seen patios where water just sits in one corner and it’s a pain to fix after the fact.
- For future projects, I’d suggest using a long straightedge or even a laser level if you can borrow one. It’s tedious but worth it.
- Also, landscape fabric under the gravel helps with weeds, though nothing’s foolproof... those things are relentless.
- I’ve had clients regret skipping edging too—keeps everything tidy and helps with shifting over time.
Even a 1-2% grade makes a difference for drainage. I’ve seen patios where water just sits in one corner and it’s a pain to fix after the fact.
Yeah, that tiny slope is way more important than it seems. I learned the hard way—my first patio looked perfect until the first big rain. Had to pull up half the pavers to fix the pooling. Anyone else ever try using sand instead of landscape fabric for weed control? I’ve had mixed results, but it’s less hassle if you need to redo things later.