When creating an outdoor patio, walkway, or driveway with pavers, you may wonder whether sealing them is a necessity. After all, it just adds to the final cost of your project and – if you’re doing the work – it requires more time. If you’ve been wondering whether sealing pavers are worth it, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to examine the pros and cons of sealing pavers.
Pros of Sealing Pavers:
Protection. Sealing your pavers offers protection on a number of fronts. Like brick and other building materials, stone pavers are susceptible to stains, mildew, fading, and unwanted vegetation. By sealing your pavers, you’re ensuring that they look their best for as long as possible.
The sealer you choose will penetrate into the surface of your pavers, keeping stains on the surface. And if you choose a sealer that includes UV protection, you’ll be able to keep your pavers looking new even if they’re out in the sun for years. In addition, paver sealer locks sand in place to weeds and other unwanted greenery doesn’t have a chance of spreading across your patio or walkway.
In addition to protecting your pavers from external damage, another pro of sealing your pavers is the ability of a quality sealer to stabilize your pavers so they’re less likely to shift or move. In short, the protection sealers provide is a huge pro of sealing pavers.
Attractiveness. But sealing your pavers isn’t just valuable because of the way it protects your outdoor area. It can also boost the attractiveness of your outdoor space in the short- and long-term. Some sealers will add a sheen to your pavers that makes them pop. Others will bring out the natural colors of your stone, creating an eye-catching, high-contrast look. And even if you love the natural look of your stone, without a sealer, they won’t continue looking like that in the future. A quality sealer will ensure that your pavers remain in place and beautiful for as long as you have them.
Toughness. Nothing lasts forever, and your pavers are no exception. Without an effective sealer, your pavers’ lifespan will be dramatically shortened. This is true of both harder and softer stones. So, if you want to extend the life of your pavers for as long as possible, you should definitely consider this pro of sealing pavers.
Cons of Sealing Pavers:
Cost. Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend any more money than they have to. This is true whether you’re building a patio or shopping for cereal at the grocery store. But if you want the pros of sealing pavers, you’ll have to put up with a few cons – including a higher price. This is especially true if you purchase the kind of high-quality sealer that will last like it should. So, the cost of sealing pavers is a con but it’s one that will pay off in the long-run, extending the life and beauty of your pavers exponentially.
Maintenance. In addition to costing more money, sealing your pavers will also require some additional maintenance. If you’re going to get the most benefit from sealed pavers, you’ll want to reseal them every two years or so. Though this largely depends on the material of your paver. Some materials may require you to seal them multiple times per year. Nevertheless, this is a con of sealing pavers but with the many pros, it’s one that is worth it.
If you’re going to go through the trouble of installing a paver patio, walkway, or driveway, it only makes sense to get the most use out of it. Yes, there are cons to sealing pavers but when you keep the long-term appearance and cost of maintaining your patio in mind, the pros easily outweigh the cons of sealing your pavers.
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