I put in a flagstone patio a couple of months ago and love it. I thought about doing plain concrete slabs, then decided it was too modern for my 1910 house. I would never do stamped concrete; to me, it seems like trying to make concrete look like something it's not.

A pic of the work in progress:

I personally think stamped concrete is very fake looking and can be very slippery - depends upon where you are.

This is a link to a very unique product. No one else will have one like it around you. http://www.earthstoneproducts.net/wp/?page_id=186

My own personal concern about stamped concrete is cracking. We're in an older neighborhood in CA and between tree roots and small but constant earthquakes, every sidewalk and large span of concrete is cracked. Pavers seem a bit more flexible in that regard.

Folks in our neighborhood have both - and both are beautiful. The stamped concrete has only been in a couple years so no one has evidence of cracks yet. That's just something that would concern me.

yikes, onthe fence, earthquakes! In your case, pavers sound like a better solution.

Definitely pavers in earthquake country! We have a concrete patio with numerous cracks, some large enough to be call fissures. The previous owner put an overlay on top without fixing the cracks, so guess what? Yep, the overlay cracked. We ended up buying recycled rubber tire tiles to the tune of $1200 to cover the whole thing.

But also, even if you're not in earthquake country, tree roots can cause concrete to crack as you've probably seen on sidewalks near mature trees.

Go pavers!

Olldbobbi, sounds like we're in similar neighborhoods.

Cynthia, you don't even notice the quake-lettes that are under a 3 on the scale ;-)

That's true, anything under 3 or sometimes 4 (depending on where the epicenter is) you don't even feel them. I'm in NorCal, onthefence, are you a neighbor?

Indeed I am. I'm in the Bay Area - which I know encompasses a LOT of territory.

Funny! I just moved out of the Bay Area, Scum Leandro to be exact! I'm on the other side of the Altamont now.

I'm getting my pool and hardscape remodeled as we speak. In California too (L.A.)... Going with traditional poured concrete with a salt finish texture and adding 4' x 4' grid lines. *Fingers crossed it comes out looking good.*

I hate pavers...too Tuscan, rustic looking. Natural stone was too expensive.

mmilos, in your case, I would do blocks of poured concrete, with a row of pavers separating the blocks. If one section, or block, cracks, and you have to replace it down the road, it would be cheaper than replacing a huge amount of concrete, no?

LOL olldbobbi - I could have probably driven to your old house in less than 15 minutes! CV here ;-)

Small world!!!

Pavers. Even in non-earthquake prone areas, I think they are just more attractive.

You are in my old stomping grounds too, onthefence. I grew up in the Bay Area, but haven't lived there in many years.

That's an idea, bobbi. I'll talk to my contractor about it. I don't have a huge patio or pool deck. The old concrete didn't have rebar and it lasted a good 60 years without too much cracking. My problem was drainage issues, which are getting addressed. I want a clean look. Minor cracks of course will be inevitable but don't really bother me.

feeny just wishes she still lives here!!!

If I could transport my current house to the Bay Area, where it would be worth 10x what it is here, I'd be totally on board for a return, bobbi!

Well, c'mon! There are house movers, you know!

I had a stamped concrete patio in a previous home and loved it. I didn't have any issues. Everyone thought it was stone.

Pavers sunk in grass. Mow over them. Drive over them. From afar they will appear like lawn.

mmilos, how did your patio turn out? I'm stressing over deciding what style to use on my pool patio. Pleas share photos of your finished product. Thank you!

We had to get cement pavers due to movement cracking the cement, but they do have issues. The sand comes out when it rains. You have to get them sealed every year. At some point you have to add more sand. But no cracking so far. Also $$$.

I HAVE BOTH I AM GETTING WATER FROM THE PEOPLE ON THE LEFT AND THE PEOPLE IN THE FRONT CALLED THE TOWNSHIP SHE IS LOOKING INTO IT I HAVE ESTIMATES FROM CONTRACTORS WHO WANT THOUSANDS TO FIX IT PIPES DIGGING 6 FEET UNDER THEN GRADING THEN A RETAINER WALL I AM DISGUSTED