Concrete · Comparisons

Concrete comparisons

Plain broom-finished concrete runs about $5 to $8 per square foot and needs the least upkeep; stamped concrete runs $10 to $14 per square foot for one pattern and color and $20+ for high-end hand-colored work, and depends on resealing to hold its appearance. Concrete Network notes stamped concrete is usually competitive with or cheaper than natural stone, flagstone, brick or pavers, and that concrete lasts decades where asphalt generally lasts 10 to 15 years.

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Plain vs. stamped. The difference is cost and maintenance, not durability — it's the same slab underneath. Stamped work adds $5 to $15+ per square foot depending on tier, and the color and sealer are what age. Ask any stamped-concrete contractor to show you a job they did five years ago, not five months ago.

Concrete vs. pavers. Pavers can be lifted and reset individually, which is a genuine advantage over a monolithic slab if your soil moves. Concrete has no joints to weed and no settling of individual units. On price, Concrete Network positions stamped concrete as competitive with or often cheaper than brick or pavers.

Concrete vs. asphalt. Asphalt costs less upfront and generally lasts 10 to 15 years per Concrete Network; concrete can last decades. In severe freeze-deicer climates, concrete's advantage depends entirely on it being air-entrained and properly cured — an unprotected 3,000 psi slab with no air will not beat asphalt.

Broom vs. steel trowel outdoors. Not a style preference. NRMCA recommends a broom finish for most exterior surfaces and warns that excessive finishing reduces entrained air in the surface layer, which is what leads to scaling. Do not let anyone put a slick trowel finish on an exterior slab in a freezing climate.

How to choose

Compare finishes at the same slab spec: A stamped patio and a plain patio should have the same thickness, base, psi and joint plan. Only the finish should differ in the bid.
Factor lifetime sealing into decorative comparisons: At $1 to $2 per square foot for professional sealing, recurring cost is a real part of the stamped-versus-plain math.
In freeze climates, weight the mix over the material: Air entrainment and 4,000 psi matter more to a concrete driveway's lifespan than which finish you picked.
If your soil moves, take pavers seriously: Being able to lift and reset units is a maintenance path a poured slab doesn't offer.
Watch for the small-job penalty: Per-square-foot rates rise on small projects because fixed costs don't shrink. Combining a walkway and patio into one pour can help.
Never accept a slick exterior finish in a freezing climate: NRMCA's guidance is broom finish for exterior surfaces; over-finishing reduces surface air content and invites scaling.

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FAQ

Concrete comparisons — common questions

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Is stamped concrete cheaper than pavers?

Often. Concrete Network states stamped concrete's cost may exceed asphalt or plain concrete but remains competitive with or often cheaper than natural stone, flagstone, brick or pavers. Local labor rates move this either way.

Does concrete last longer than asphalt?

Concrete Network says concrete can last for decades while asphalt generally lasts only 10 to 15 years. That assumes the concrete was specified and installed correctly for the climate.

What finish is best for a driveway?

For exterior slabs, NRMCA recommends a broom finish — it gives traction and avoids the over-finishing that reduces entrained air at the surface and causes scaling.

Is exposed aggregate better than stamped?

It's a different look with generally less pattern-matching risk, and it lands in the decorative tiers rather than plain. Both sit on the same slab, so judge them on appearance and maintenance appetite, not durability.

Sources

Where these figures come from

Concrete Network — Stamped Concrete Cost · retrieved 2026-07-25
Concrete Network — Concrete Driveway Cost · retrieved 2026-07-25
Concrete Network — Concrete Patio Cost · retrieved 2026-07-25
NRMCA CIP 2 — Scaling Concrete Surfaces · retrieved 2026-07-25