Enhanced Aesthetics

Simply put, pavers look beautiful and make a great first impression. Concrete pavers provide an appeal that carries an unspoken message of quality, sophistication, and lasting performance. Where aesthetics are a priority, interlocking concrete pavers can provide beautiful and stunning, yet functional, paving in place of alternatives such as asphalt or poured concrete.

From the designer’s perspective, concrete pavers are exceptional for their sheer creative potential. Available in an array of shapes, sizes, colors and textures, pavers allow unparalleled choice in product selection and application. Whether the desired look is weathered and rustic; classic and timeless; or modern and contemporary, pavers are the perfect medium for creating unique designs.

Economic Value 

At first glance, the price per square foot of concrete pavers may be greater than that of alternative materials. However, upon examining the durability, flexibility, low maintenance, and quick installation of concrete pavers, their lower life cycle makes for a functional and inviting backyard patio costs can often prove to be the most cost-effective option for a residence: 

Durability

Concrete pavers are manufactured and installed to easily withstand repeated pedestrian and vehicular traffic, as well as the everyday wear-and-tear of family life. In fact, some manufacturers like Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers produce concrete pavers that far exceed these industry guidelines. Properly installed concrete pavers, following industry recommendations, will easily last 20-30 years with minimal maintenance and with proper care can be expected to last 50 years or more. The high-strength concrete paving units offer resistance to freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salts, high abrasion and skid resistance, minimal damage from petroleum products, and do not experience indentations from high temperatures.

Flexibility and Low Maintenance

Driveways and patios installed with pavers typically perform very well when subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and minor movements of the earth. This results in a longer-lasting, lower maintenance installation. While movement control joints are intentionally added to poured concrete to accommodate the stress of settling and shifting of the earth beneath, the spaces between concrete pavers act as built-in control joints. Cracking and degradation of the paver surface is minimized because the sand-filled joints act to transfer the load without damaging the pavement surface. Maintenance and replacement cost over time is an important consideration when pricing paving materials, and concrete pavers shine in this department. While asphalt requires periodic resurfacing and concrete repair can be expensive, pavers require only light cleaning and/or minor restoration every few years.

One primary advantage of pavers is that they can be taken up and replaced without compromising the aesthetics or the structural integrity of the pavement. If a paver gets dislodged, it can be re-set very quickly and inexpensively. In the same way, concrete pavers can be easily and seamlessly added if a driveway expansion becomes necessary. They also facilitate incremental construction, affording a homeowner the opportunity to add paver areas in phases, depending on site and budget considerations. 

Quick, Efficient Installation

Pavers require no cure time and can be installed in weather not conducive for alternative materials. Installers certified by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) or by a paver manufacturer can provide efficient and proper laying of concrete pavers. Furthermore, modern mechanical installation methods allow even large areas to be paved quickly and cost-effectively. Hiring a professional contractor experienced in installation is advised. Sustainability Pavers are a smart environmental choice for many applications; it’s no coincidence that concrete pavers are becoming more popular as sustainability becomes a priority for homeowners. Concrete has a low embodied energy; this means it takes less energy to produce than materials such as plywood, glass, and steel. Compared to asphalt, concrete requires only about one-third of the energy to produce.

Furthermore, the exceptional durability of concrete pavers means that fewer resources are needed to repave and replace surfaces over time. They simplify surface and subsurface repairs by reinstating the same paving units; there are no unsightly patches or weakened pavement from utility cuts. Concrete pavers also provide heat island mitigation. Many urban areas suffer from a phenomenon known as the heat island effect, wherein light and heat reflection from the built environment can raise local temperatures in warm weather by as much as 22° at certain times of the day.

Concrete pavers – especially light-colored ones – can help address this uncomfortable and dangerous situation by reflecting heat and light.

Permeable concrete pavers deserve special mention as a sustainable construction material. These concrete pavers are specially installed to filter stormwater runoff through the paver joints to base and subgrade layers that act as natural filters by capturing many harmful pollutants. Permeable pavers are widely recognized as an effective solution for reducing up to 80% of total suspended solids (TSS) levels in stormwater to EPA mandated standards. Runoff from paved surfaces can cause serious environmental damage such as erosion and silt build-up in rivers, lakes, and streams, as well as impact fish and other wildlife. By allowing rain and snowmelt to infiltrate on-site, permeable paver systems reduce or eliminate runoff problems. Permeable paving eliminates surface puddles and local flooding, and is typically required in many waterfront applications to protect fragile shorelines. Furthermore, with the use of a permeable paver system, a higher percentage of rain and snowmelt percolates naturally down through layers of aggregates to maintain healthy groundwater levels. Adequate levels of groundwater promote the survival and growth of trees and other plant life.

Resources

Erin Ashley, Ph.D., LEED Ap1 and Lionel Lemay, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, Concrete’s Contribution to Sustainable Development, published in the Journal of Green Building, Fall 2008.

Heat Island Effect, U.S. EPA website: http:// www.epa.gov/heatisland/.

South Carolina Department of Transportation publication, Traffic Calming Guidelines, revised 2006.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C 936, Standard Specification for Solid Interlocking Concrete Paving Units

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This may just be my opinion but maybe Cebu City has a legitimate reason for using concrete.

It is just that, in my opinion, Cebu City has got it wrong and Iloilo City has got it right when the city later decided to use “real pavers” instead of concrete for its sidewalks.

Real pavers are beautiful and are very practical as it is not only cheaper to install, but also faster. And not only that, when damaged, pavers are economical and quick to repair.

One of the disadvantages of concrete is that it can be costly because it takes time to install and repair. Aside from that, it also takes a lot more effort to make concrete blocks aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

According to Andorra Roof Tiles and Pavers, the advantages of using pavers over concrete are so significant that they can not be ignored, making the positive features of pavers a serious factor in considering what is best for you.

For example, one of the advantages of using pavers over concrete is when a sidewalk needs to be repaired. Fixing a broken concrete sidewalk can be very expensive because the entire damaged area of the concrete has to be replaced.

While in the case of pavers, it is only the damaged portion that needs to be fixed thus making it both affordable and quicker to repair.

Another advantage is water absorption

Unlike concrete which covers the soil, pavers are environmentally friendly and minimize flooding because it allows rainwater to be absorbed by the soil instead of draining the water into the canals and sea.

Creative people will also especially love Andorra Pavers!

If you are a creative individual, Andorra Pavers empowers you to be flexible while also giving you creative freedom in making designs and patterns to make your surroundings beautiful.

If you are considering using pavers to enhance the appearance of your home or building, a company you may need to seriously consider is Andorra Tile and Pavers. 

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We give you lower cost!

Because we are a manufacturer and not a distributor, we are able to offer our products at a lower cost.

We can deliver and service projects better

Because our plant is located in Cebu, we can deliver and service our products efficiently and quickly.

Shipping cost is minimal

Because our location is in Cebu, shipping cost to Visayas and Mindanao customers are much lower compared to having the tiles shipped from Manila manufacturers.

Durability

A properly installed tile roof can withstand the elements providing years of worry-free performance.

Affordability

A concrete tile roof will last for the life of the structure thus making it quite affordable when compared to other roofing materials.

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When choosing hardscaping for your driveway, pool deck, patio, or garden, there are typically two options that involve concrete — poured concrete slabs and concrete pavers. In this article, we’ll explain how they differ and identify which material offers the greatest value for hardscapes and landscapes.

Poured Concrete vs Concrete Pavers for Outdoor Spaces

Before we get into the cost discussion, let’s first walk through the differences between poured concrete and concrete pavers.

Poured concrete slabs are large concrete surfaces that are poured as wet concrete mixes onsite and left to cure as a single slab. They are one of the most common methods for constructing concrete driveways. Sometimes a concrete slab is stamped with a tile-like pattern while it is still wet; this is called “stamped concrete.”

Concrete pavers come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be arranged in various patterns. Pavers are not poured like slabs; they arrive dry and ready to install. There are two types of concrete pavers — interlocking pavers, which are incredibly thick and sturdy enough for driveways and parking pads, and architectural pavers, which are thinner but ideal for landscaping and interior flooring.

Which Concrete Paving Option is More Cost-Effective?

Now that you know the differences between the two options, which one is more cost-effective? Poured concrete or concrete pavers? To answer this question, it is important to not only examine the initial costs of both, but also the long-term costs of maintaining each surface.

As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete. This ultimately means that concrete pavers are the most cost-effective option overall.

Why exactly do concrete pavers offer the greatest value in the long run? Let’s dig a little deeper.

The Problem with Poured Concrete and Stamped Concrete Slabs

Although installing concrete pavers technically costs more money than pouring concrete slabs, the truth is that poured concrete slabs come with higher costs overall when you take into account the repairs they require over their lifespan.

Poured concrete slabs will crack when presented with encroaching tree roots, freezing and thawing cycles, and other disturbances in the ground underneath. When a concrete slab cracks or shifts, there’s not much you can do to repair it seamlessly other than patching it or replacing the entire slab, which can be incredibly costly.

Why Concrete Pavers Are More Cost-Effective

Although concrete pavers cost more upfront, they are significantly more durable and flexible than poured concrete. Concrete pavers are individual pieces, which make the overall paver pattern more flexible and accommodating of fluctuations in the ground when dry set. Concrete Pavers are also more resistant to damage caused by water and floods.

Simply put, pavers look beautiful and make a great first impression. Concrete pavers provide an appeal that carries an unspoken message of quality, sophistication, and lasting performance. Where aesthetics are a priority, interlocking concrete pavers can provide beautiful and stunning, yet functional, paving in place of alternatives such as asphalt or poured concrete.

From the designer’s perspective, concrete pavers are exceptional for their sheer creative potential. Available in an array of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, pavers allow unparalleled choice in product selection and application. Whether the desired look is weathered and rustic; classic and timeless; or modern and contemporary, pavers are the perfect medium for creating unique designs.

Concrete pavers are manufactured and installed to easily withstand repeated pedestrian and vehicular traffic, as well as the everyday wear-and-tear of family life.

In fact, some manufacturers like Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers produce concrete pavers that far exceed these industry guidelines. Properly installed concrete pavers, following industry recommendations, will easily last 20-30 years with minimal maintenance and with proper care can be expected to last 50 years or more. The high-strength concrete paving units offer resistance to rainwater, floods, and deicing salts, high abrasion and skid resistance, minimal damage from petroleum products, and do not experience indentations from high temperatures

One primary advantage of pavers is that they can be taken up and replaced without compromising the aesthetics or the structural integrity of the pavement. If a paver gets dislodged, it can be re-set very quickly and inexpensively. In the same way, concrete pavers can be easily and seamlessly added if a driveway expansion becomes necessary. They also facilitate incremental construction, affording a homeowner the opportunity to add paver areas in phases, depending on site and budget considerations. 

Furthermore, the exceptional durability of concrete pavers means that fewer resources are needed to repave and replace surfaces over time. They simplify surface and subsurface repairs by reinstating the same paving units; there are no unsightly patches or weakened pavement from utility cuts. Concrete pavers also provide heat island mitigation. Many urban areas suffer from a phenomenon known as the heat island effect, wherein light and heat reflection from the built environment can raise local temperatures in warm weather by as much as 22° at certain times of the day.

Affordable and High Quality Concrete Pavers by Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers

Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers handcrafted concrete pavers have the look of natural stone and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to meet the aesthetic vision you have for your hardscapes and outdoor living spaces.

Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers Project Gallery

To learn more about using handcrafted concrete pavers by Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers for your upcoming project, we invite you to request a quote below, get a sample kit, or call or text Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers today at:

ANDORRA TILE ROOFINGS, INC.
MIT BLDG – 117 Gorordo Avenue,
Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
Tel.: (+6332) 232-6777 or (+6332) 231-3888
Mobile/SMS: (+63) 922-590-6472
Email: info@andorratile.ph

ALSO READ: Why choose Andorra Roof Tiles & Pavers?

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Introduction

One trick to making a richly planted—or even shaggy—yard feel more manicured is to add a smartly defined piece of hardscaping. Patios and paths or an upgraded driveway not only define space but also provide the kind of contrast that makes a flower bed or lush lawn pop.

But if traditional surfacing materials leave you feeling as flat as poured concrete, consider pavers—concrete pavers. More affordable than stone, more colorful than brick, and more durable than asphalt, concrete pavers are a practical yet attractive option anywhere on the property. And because they’re modular, they’re easy to install and fix, even for DIYers.

Concrete pavers fall into two categories: interlocking and architectural slab. Interlocking pavers were invented by the Dutch after World War II, when brick, their traditional paving material, was in short supply. Billions of the chunky blocks found their way onto European roads, and many of the originals are still in good shape despite 50 years of traffic. Little surprise, then, that their consumer cousins often come with a lifetime warranty and make perfect driveway material. For all their practicality, however, interlocking pavers lack the natural look; the frozen-oatmeal texture and plain shapes strike many as unrefined.

Architectural slab pavers provide a more aesthetic alternative. Though these thinner cakes can’t handle auto traffic like their interlocking kin (and are slightly more sensitive to the vagaries of the freeze-thaw cycle), they neatly mimic the look of brick or natural stone. Best of all, they do it for much less than the real deal.

Read on to find more information and plenty of inspiration on concrete pavers that will help you tackle your next hardscaping project with confidence.

The Two Types of Concrete

All concrete pavers contain sand, gravel, portland cement, and water, but their durability and texture vary depending on how they’re made.

Heading:

• Edge spacers create uniform joints.

• Made with stiff, very strong concrete mix.

• Thick; suitable for all uses, including driveways.

Architectural Slab:

• No edge spacers.

• Molded from wetter concrete to resemble stone or brick.

• Thin; not good for driveways.

The Runoff Issue

Rainwater that washes over most paved surfaces, including many concrete pavers, has been known to cause downstream erosion and strain municipal sewer systems. But permeable interlocking pavers eliminate runoff. These pavers have extra-wide joints or molded-in drain holes so that water can flow directly into the soil, which recharges groundwater and traps contaminants. But there’s a bonus: no puddles!

Pavers also pair beautifully with wood. Here, the wood decking looks great next to the various pavers mixed in with the grass. The colorful tile and white stucco brings a bit of a resort vibe to this beautiful outdoor space.

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With the variety of paver materials, sizes, styles, colors and textures, they truly are one of the most versatile materials out there. Pavers can likely work for your home no matter your style or budget. Check out these creative ways to use them:

Random Placements

While symmetrical placement is more typical when it comes to pavers, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use them in a random pattern. While the placement of these pavers might seem haphazard, the look is casual with lots of visual interest. This technique is also good to use if you have some leftover pavers from another project.

Out-of-the-Way Spot

Pavers also work really well when you need to define a space. In this case, pavers arranged in a circular pattern leading out to a pathway, create a quiet refuge with a comfy hammock and a couple of iron chairs.

Cozy Hang-Out

If you’re lucky enough to have a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, consider using pavers to define the space around it. In this case, the corner of a yard was turned into a beautiful garden patio. Concrete benches and a rustic trellis add to the charm of this little outdoor oasis.

Incorporate Into Your Lawn

Pavers can also be used to define spaces where you might typically expect to see a lawn. In this case, the pavers were used with grass to define a larger outdoor patio area around a pool. To ease up on lawn care, consider using faux grass for a treatment like this and you won’t need to ever worry about mowing.

Outdoor Living Room

If you live in a warmer climate and don’t need to worry about the change of seasons, you could create a true outdoor living room using pavers to define the area. Try to stick with outdoor fabrics, and come up with a game plan for storing cushions and pillows. While outdoor fabrics are durable enough to take the rain, you will ensure your pillows last a lot longer if you can keep them dry as much as possible.

Mark a Path

For larger properties, pavers are an amazing solution for defining paths and creating natural movement throughout your entire outdoor space. You’ll want to ensure that paths connect easily from one area to another, while providing an obvious route for walking. Since pavers are so versatile, they’ll work well with almost any materials or elevations.

Visual Interest

Even if you have an area on your property that won’t necessarily be used as a functional space, pavers still do a lovely job of tying together the landscape. In this case, pavers are used right outside the fire pit area and in front of a beautiful fountain. They create visual interest for the space and also connect one area of the yard to another.

Modern Vibe Outside

If you have a more modern home or you’re simply looking to bring a more modern vibe to your patio, concrete pavers are a great way to achieve it. These types of pavers can be poured to any size or shape, so you can really have some fun with pattern while also using the shapes to help easily navigate throughout your yard.

Outdoor Flooring

While pavers look great with some space between them, they also work well as an outdoor flooring option. In this case, the pavers are arranged in a tightly woven circular pattern. There is a nice mix of neutral colors paired with a second type of paver that defines the area outside of the fire pit.

Around the Pool

Pavers also work really well as a solution to use around a pool. Here, the lounge area is defined with pavers, while the lawn area is kept clear. Depending on the setup of your outdoor space, you could choose to do something similar; however, pavers would also look great all the way around the pool.

Free-Form Shapes

While we often think of pavers as having symmetrical placement, we think of most pavers having a symmetrical shape, too. However, this treatment shows us that that it’s not necessary. We can see in this design that larger, free-form pavers can also look quite chic.

Outdoor Shower

For warm climate-dwellers, an outdoor shower could be the ultimate luxury. If you have enough space for one, consider creating an outdoor shower with pavers. This is sometimes an easier project than you might think, as you’re likely already set for plumbing.

Inside Tiny Spaces

Even if you have the tiniest yard, you can still use pavers to help define a petite hang-out space for you and your family. Even a small grouping of pavers can help to define an area and create some coziness.

Pavers + Gravel

Pavers work well with a variety of other materials, but they work especially great with gravel. Depending on the type you choose, gravel can be a very inexpensive option when you need to cover a larger area. You can pair pavers with gravel to define your space and save a bit on your outdoor reno.

Pavers + Wood, Too

Pavers also pair beautifully with wood. Here, the wood decking looks great next to the various pavers mixed in with the grass. The colorful tile and white stucco brings a bit of a resort vibe to this beautiful outdoor space.

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