I used Belgard pavers for our large driveway and we are still happy with them after 5 years. What I like about pavers is that you don't get cracks and any settling can easily be fixed by taking up the pavers, adding more base material and putting the pavers back.

Following! We are having this same conversation; I like stamped, but I do not want to have to get the top-coat I see on dyed and stamped designs. We have a friend who did this around her pool and it's slippery as heck, and unevenly worn.

Our home that we recently sold had pavers on the front and side porch and stamped concrete on the back porch and the pool deck.

we loved the pavers. Really disliked the stamped concrete. Unless the surface was frequently resealed it looked awful. It became dull and lifeless. And indeed the pool surface was slick.

Ilovered do you possibly have any photos of the front porch? What material did you have for the front walkway? Was that pavers as well?

The front walkway was concrete out to a circle drive and the pavers were on each side of the walkway.

Haha, I could only find two without any people in them. Not the best. Sorry.

I really like he brick on the porch- I DO NOT like the brick border and then concrete on the main pad for the porch. (This is regardless of your paver decision, but wanted to throw it out there.) Love the 2nd photo above.

Why not use all brick? for both the porch AND the walkway???

I'm assuming cost is the reason not to use pavers everywhere? Is there an issue with chipping or durability with pavers on the main pad of the porch?

I think it looks awesome either way!!! Thanks for sharing the photos

Our front porch (not large, a glorified stoop, in size really) and our covered porch in the back are brick (not pavers, regular brick.) Absolutely love it. Looks gorgeous. The only con is it is a slightly uneven surface to place furniture on due to mortar lines, etc...but really, that doesn't bother us. We used concrete for our front walk & totally wish we had bricked it as well (trying to save costs at the time.) We are going to tear out the concrete & brick it next Spring.

Happy...post your porch plan or house plan if you are brave enough. Maybe we can give you some ideas...

We had tinted/dyed/colored stamped concrete, outside, in our last house.

You'd have to threaten me with a shotgun to get it again. And I just might tell ya to go ahead and shoot.

haha - i am scared to post my house plan!!! i have posted it partially in the past, but everyone seems to get attacked on here whenever they post a plan. but you've convinced me... so here it is ... the front and rear elevations are below. please don't be too mean people! mainly need help with materials. It is a walkout basement. So the areas were need to figure out are: front porch, walkway leading from driveway to front porch, and the back patio which is right outside the lower level (basement). The deck will probably be trex although I looked into silca decking system with pavers for the back deck at one point too... not sure where it would be worth it to splurge and where it makes sense to save. the front porch as you can see will be small. the front walkway is supposed to be about 4' wide and 55' long. The back patio will be big - about 650 sq ft.

thanks in advance.

With a porch of that size - I think it would look bad not to have all one material and then continue that along the walkway. If you did pavers, brick "trim" and then a concrete pad, you'll have 3 different materials essentially performing the same function in close proximity. I would want the to be the same to draw you into the house without breaking up your vision with 3 materials.

Agree with Jannicone.

Pretty house.

Might I offer two suggestions on the front elevation and one on the rear?

Yes please do - not sure if we will be able to change at this point though

Who comes up with a "patio plan" by the way? This is not something my builder has ever brought up so far. Would I need to talk to a landscape designer for that? I am wondering if the back patio really needs to be 650 sq foot (that number just came from our specifications).

Thank you that is helpful. I will talk to them, I do like your changes.

The master bath shower and toilet is behind that large blank wall

Have you considered a high window in the toilet area just to break up the space and balance it a bit better?

It's going to be a very pretty home. Congrats.

For pedestrian paving and "hardscape" areas, have you considered brick laid on a compacted sand bed?

@virgilcarter no have not - I will look into that too. How would it compare to the other possibilities in terms of durability and maintenance?

Bricks laid on sand don't crack, hold their finish and color despite varying weather conditions and easily repaired if they become misaligned over time. List all of disadvantages of concrete paving, above, and bricks don't do any of them.

They are also available in range of color, and can be laid in many, many patterns.

Certainly worth a price comparison, and since your house will use a great deal of brick there would be a harmony and unity not otherwise possible.