Clay pavers or concrete slabs in the garden
Clay pavers or concrete slabs are a good choice for a driveway, garden path, or terrace. Concrete is generally cheaper, but discolours quickly and becomes dirty. Clay pavers are colourfast and suffer less from green deposits. Clay is also a natural product, and pavers can last for more than a hundred years.
Concrete slabs in the garden
Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel. Concrete garden slabs are available in a range of sizes and shapes. The range of colours, nuances, and surface structures is extensive. In many cases, they mimic the colours and nuances of ceramic, clay pavers, and natural stone. The appearance of concrete is usually sleek and modern. Concrete is generally inexpensive but can become pricier if you opt for surface layers and coatings.
As most concrete products are porous, dirt, green, and moss can easily adhere to them, resulting in green deposits quite quickly. Fallen leaves can also cause stubborn marks. In addition, the colour of concrete can fade quickly if it is not coated. Concrete slaps are not very resistant to road salt and can develop a white stain known as lime efflorescence.
Garden paving with clay pavers
Clay paving is made from clay. These clay pavers are available in convenient rectangular and square shapes, such as the popular waal, dik, and kei sizes. Their practical shape makes them ideal for creating creative patterns and shapes. Pavers are available in a range of natural and enduring colours that are created during kiln firing. The extremely high temperatures used during baking ensure that the pavers are super strong. You can even use them to pave a driveway. They absorb virtually no water, preventing the adhesion of green deposits.
135 year lifespan
On average, clay pavers are more expensive than concrete but have a lifespan of around 135 years, which makes them a sound investment. Pavers have a high residual value and are much sought-after on the secondhand market. In addition, they take on an authentic natural appearance over time, making them the perfect fit for the green of your garden. Clay pavers are suitable for any garden design, from modern to country.
Clay pavers, a sustainable, authentic Dutch product
Clay pavers are a truly authentic Dutch natural product. Our Dutch forefathers were constructing streets and buildings from brick as far back as the fourteenth century. There isn’t a single village or town in the Netherlands where you will not come across clay pavers or bricks. That gives the clay paver that familiar look. Our major rivers give us a constant supply of new clay. River clay is therefore a renewable material. What’s more , its extraction results in the generation of new nature areas in the floodplains. Since clay pavers have a lifespan of more than one hundred years, they can rightly be classed as sustainable construction materials. Ceramic garden slabs are mostly imported from southern Europe and are less easy to reuse. This makes them less sustainable than clay pavers.
So, clay pavers or concrete?
Each material has its own character and unique features. Nevertheless, clay pavers have a number of benefits over concrete:
- A sustainable, authentic Dutch product
- Long lifespan
- Suitable for all kinds of garden
- Less susceptible to green deposits
A fantastic end result starts with ideas and inspiration
You might already have a clear idea or design for your garden or public space project, or perhaps you want to have an idea of the options first. Wherever you’re starting from, it begins with inspiration, and we’d be happy to help you along the way. Be surprised by the endless possibilities offered by Vandersanden clay pavers and get a taste for the unparalleled appearance and authentic sense of experience.
Everything you need to know about garden paving
Contact a garden expert
Tom Reinders
Advice on pavers for your garden.
+31 (0)774 62 80 00 t.reinders@vandersanden.com Ask your question