Pavers vs. Large Concrete Slabs – What’s the Difference?

One of the earliest and most important decisions you’ll face when planning your outdoor project is choosing between concrete pavers and large concrete slabs. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which material will best suit your needs. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between these two popular choices, review the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which option will be the right fit for your outdoor design. 

What are Concrete Pavers?

Let’s start by taking a closer look at concrete pavers. These flat outdoor flooring units are a staple in hardscape projects, typically made from a blend of cement, aggregates, water, and color pigments. Manufactured in various shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, pavers offer endless possibilities to craft unique and eye-catching outdoor designs.

Given this design flexibility, concrete pavers lend themselves perfectly to a wide range of outdoor applications, including driveways, walkways, front entrances, patios, and pool decks. Here are just a few examples of our most popular concrete pavers:

Beacon Hill™ Smooth: This EnduraColor™ product features a smooth texture and contemporary color palette perfect for patios, pool surrounds, and walkways.

Copthorne®: Designed to mimic old-world brick, Copthorne pavers are ideal for curved walkways, borders, and accent bands. They are also manufactured to be four times stronger than poured concrete.

Town Hall®: Inspired by historic North American clay street pavers, Town Hall can be used to design patios, driveways, and walkways in both traditional and permeable applications.

Umbriano®: The granite-like surface of Umbriano offers a non-slip texture ideal for pool surrounds and outdoor dining areas. Plus, with integral EasyClean™ technology, this product is far easier to maintain compared to traditional materials.

Pros and Cons of Using Concrete Pavers

Now that you have an idea of the types of concrete pavers we offer, let’s explore the key advantages and potential drawbacks of using them in your outdoor spaces:

Pros:

Aesthetic Variety: Unilock offers the widest selection of styles to choose from. From products resembling classic cobblestone, natural cut flagstone, granite, and more.

Durability: Unilock concrete pavers exceed industry standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), ensuring long-lasting performance in all climates.

Innovative Technology: From game-changing innovations like EasyClean to standout product lines such as EnduraColor and Elegance™, Unilock pavers ensure superior quality and performance.

Low Maintenance: Designed for minimal upkeep, our products stay beautiful throughout every season. To keep them looking their best year-round, check out our seasonal paver maintenance blog for tips and expert advice.

High Load-Bearing Capacity: Engineered to exceed the national average for compressive strength, Unilock pavers are suitable for a wide range of applications.

Easy to Replace: Unlike traditional asphalt, individual cracked or chipped units can easily be swapped out and replaced.

Environmental Benefits: Unilock manufactures a vast collection of permeable pavers that feature a wider joint gap, allowing rainwater to be absorbed back into the subsoil. This helps reduce stormwater runoff and supports nearby green spaces.

Cons:

Higher Upfront Cost: Pavers typically cost more to install than traditional poured concrete. These costs may depend on several factors, including paver selection, project size, design complexity, and labor. While pavers often account for only 20% of a project’s total cost, they’re widely regarded as a smarter investment due to their long-lasting durability.

Prone to Weeds: Weed seeds can settle in the joints, though this can be mitigated with polymeric sand and sealers.

Efflorescence: This powdery, white mineral deposit may form after a paver installation but fades over time.

Settling/Shifting: Poor base preparation or insufficient edge restraints can cause pavers to shift or settle.

Joint Sand Erosion: Freeze/thaw cycles may wash away joint sand, so the occasional top-up may be needed to preserve the joints.

What are Large Concrete Slabs?

Like pavers, large concrete slabs are made from cement, aggregates, water, and pigments. The key difference is that slabs are much thinner and larger than concrete pavers, allowing them to cover expansive areas while using fewer materials. Their larger scale and minimal joint lines lend themselves perfectly to modern, minimalist designs. However, despite their impressive size, large concrete slabs are best suited for pedestrian areas only and not for driveway applications. This is due to their potential for cracking and limited load-bearing capacity. Here are some of our most popular large concrete slab products:

Urban™: These products boast a sleek, contemporary look, with matching coping available for design consistency. They are manufactured with EnduraColor to provide long-lasting color and durability.

Arcana™: With a silky, matte finish and speckled surface, these products offer an elegant look that is protected against staining with EasyClean technology.

Beacon Hill™ XL: Offered in both smooth and flagstone textures, this large-format version of Beacon Hill offers the same refined texture and contemporary color palette, with the strength and colorfastness of EnduraColor.

Pros and Cons of Using Large Concrete Slabs

Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and drawbacks of incorporating large concrete slabs into your outdoor space:

Pros:

Durability: Engineered for strength, large concrete slabs resist cracking and wear under normal foot traffic and weather conditions.

Aesthetic Beauty: With fewer joints and clean lines, slabs create a sleek, upscale look.

Low-Maintenance: Reduced joints mean fewer opportunities for weeds to grow, resulting in less upkeep.

Distinct Surface Textures and Colors: Available in a range of colors, as well as textures that resemble natural stone or sleek modern materials.

Cons:

Installation Costs: Larger, heavier concrete slabs often require additional labor and specialized equipment to install.

Limited Size and Design Options: Compared to smaller pavers, concrete slabs offer fewer options for patterns and layouts.

Load-Bearing Limitations: Their thinner profile restricts use in high-traffic vehicular areas.

Professional Installation Recommended: Due to their size, weight, and installation precision, concrete slabs are best handled by experienced contractors.

When deciding between concrete pavers and large concrete slabs, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your project. Concrete pavers offer exceptional versatility, allowing you to mix and match colors, sizes, and textures to create a truly personalized look. In contrast, large concrete slabs deliver a sleek, modern aesthetic with fewer joints and less material use, perfect for minimalist designs.

Still unsure which option is right for you? Explore our comprehensive online Dream Gallery, or pick up a copy of our Design Idea Catalog to see how Unilock products have transformed real-world projects. When you’re ready to take the next step, fill out our online Find a Contractor form, and we’ll connect you with an experienced Unilock Authorized Contractor who can provide a free design consultation for your project.