Paver driveway cost?

[piemma]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

I hope you're talking standard concrete and NOT dyed, stamped and SEALED concrete?

I have both my driveway and patio done in stamped concrete.
Maintenance is very expensive.
The sealant (which I recommend be done every year) isn't the easiest application. Best rolled on, but more gets used which equals more money. Rolling it on is a bear because as you put it on, due to it's tackiness, is clings back on to the roller...you just never seem to get enough on. The first few applications are most critical. You want to fill in the pores so they don't grow. The bigger the pores, the more it will take to seal each time.
Don't get me wrong, it looks really nice when sealed properly, but the maintenance costs along with the cracking (it will crack) have made me regret it. I should have gone pavers.

If you weren't talking stamped, .....forget all that.

If you are talking a driveway, I agree. If you are talking a walkway or patio, I strongly disagree. I have a 20X20 patio of stamped concrete and a 6X40' walkway. Both are over 5 or 6 years old. Neither had cracked. I use a sealer I buy from Contractors Supply in East P RI and it's about $200.00 for 5 gallons. 5 gallons have lasted me 4 years.

I use a roller to apply and the one trick I found out is to apply when it's not in the sun and relatively cool. Doesn't get tacky, doesn't bubble and goes on evenly with a roller. We love the look.
I have nothing bad to say about it but I don't know how it would work for a driveway.
The cracking is kind of interesting as we have NO cracking on both areas. The contractor cut relief lines into the cement after it dried so it can expand and contract with the weather.

[bloocrab]

Originally Posted by piemma

If you are talking a driveway, I agree. If you are talking a walkway or patio, I strongly disagree. I have a 20X20 patio of stamped concrete and a 6X40' walkway. Both are over 5 or 6 years old. Neither had cracked. I use a sealer I buy from Contractors Supply in East P RI and it's about $200.00 for 5 gallons. 5 gallons have lasted me 4 years.

I use a roller to apply and the one trick I found out is to apply when it's not in the sun and relatively cool. Doesn't get tacky, doesn't bubble and goes on evenly with a roller. We love the look.
I have nothing bad to say about it but I don't know how it would work for a driveway.
The cracking is kind of interesting as we have NO cracking on both areas. The contractor cut relief lines into the cement after it dried so it can expand and contract with the weather.

My driveway is quite large (IMO)....35x100, and I too buy my sealant at that same Contractor's Supply in EP...think it cost me $180+tax last time (5gal)... >>ouch>>....I never felt I had enough relief lines though,,, and through the years, it's definitely proven that.
My patio, 45x15?, was stamped with a cobblestone pattern. This makes it much harder to properly seal in trying to get the sealant into each crevice when using a roller (the cobblestone stamp was heavily detailed, strongly showing the lines between each stone)...I do use the proper roller (the fluffiest one) but it's still a bear to do and takes me quite a bit of sealant to apply properly....and yeah, I learned after the first year...don't do it in the hot sun...

I must say, I find it amazing that one bucket has lasted you 4 years...that's awesome. When I do both the driveway and the patio, I use well over 10 gallons, probably closer to 15 to be honest....??? That's almost 3 buckets a year! When you do the math, it's expensive...makes me think I'm applying too much, when I still feel that I'm not applying enough ...

**I also had a bad batch one year...a few days after the sealant had dried, most of it started flaking and peeled away. I went back to the store and they insisted I added a thinner to it to create more

[piemma]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

My driveway is quite large (IMO)....35x100, and I too buy my sealant at that same Contractor's Supply in EP...think it cost me $180+tax last time (5gal)... >>ouch>>....I never felt I had enough relief lines though,,, and through the years, it's definitely proven that.
My patio, 45x15?, was stamped with a cobblestone pattern. This makes it much harder to properly seal in trying to get the sealant into each crevice when using a roller (the cobblestone stamp was heavily detailed, strongly showing the lines between each stone)...I do use the proper roller (the fluffiest one) but it's still a bear to do and takes me quite a bit of sealant to apply properly....and yeah, I learned after the first year...don't do it in the hot sun...

I must say, I find it amazing that one bucket has lasted you 4 years...that's awesome. When I do both the driveway and the patio, I use well over 10 gallons, probably closer to 15 to be honest....??? That's almost 3 buckets a year! When you do the math, it's expensive...makes me think I'm applying too much, when I still feel that I'm not applying enough ...

**I also had a bad batch one year...a few days after the sealant had dried, most of it started flaking and peeled away. I went back to the store and they insisted I added a thinner to it to create more

I think the reason you use so much is because of the cobble stone pattern. I have a large flagstone pattern on both and the lines between each stone are maybe 1/2 inch or a little more. Being that large it's easier to put down the sealer. I use 2 coats but I don't use the fluffy roller. I use the 3/8" nap.
Oh, and boy I learned after year 1 not to do it in the sun. I ended up with bubbles everywhere. The other night I did the patio. I waited until the sun was behind the house and the patio was in total shade.

[nightfighter]

Pics?

The concrete guy has decided to pass on the project. No reason.... So back to pavers I guess.

[bloocrab]

Then, yeah...the paver (mason) price is about right/average.

I've seen it done two ways down in my area...$15 psft, cash deal/no receipt may lower it a dollar or two, depends on your negotiating skills as well as how busy the mason is??
I've also seen it $13 psft (labor)...then add the cost of the paver.....if the paver is $3.30 each, then you get charged $16.30 psft.

Good Luck Ross ~