Although brick paving is common in households around the world but is not cheap. Not everyone can afford to have brick paving, which means people will look for cheaper alternatives. In this article, we are going to discuss some cheaper alternatives to paving that will help you save some money and make your house look unique and visually appealing. You can lay some of them yourself as well if you don’t want to spend money on patio contractors.

Alternatives To Pavers

Gravel

Gravel is amongst the best cheaper alternatives to pavers as it provides a better drainage system than solid paving stones. However, many people argue that gravel needs to be replaced regularly since it shifts as the house receives traffic. Therefore, you can avoid that by opting for unsorted-sharp-edge gravel that allows the pieces to be tightly snug together. At the same time, you can also install edging that will keep the gravel in place. However, make sure that there aren’t any sharp edges protruding that can lead to serious injuries.

Poured Concrete

When it comes to durability and lifespan, poured concrete is hard to match. However, the only downside to poured concrete is that it can be difficult to remove if you suddenly change your mind about concrete. Depending on the area, size, color, and design poured concrete may come out to be slightly expensive. With that said, opting for certain kinds of pavers might also be cheaper than using poured concrete.

Mosaic

Using old bits of pavers and broken tiles, you can come up with several unique and creative ideas for Mosaic. For instance, your footpaths can be a work of art using recycled materials as mentioned earlier. If you are working on your seating area and walkway, you create a mosaic design and turn the area into a completely different space that catches attention every single time someone walks into your house.

However, the downside to mosaics is that they are labor-intensive to install and are mostly used for the yard or gardens. Therefore, you need to set your mosaic ideas where people may already look downward, such as at the end of a pathway or seating area.

Earth

Perhaps the simplest and cheapest alternative to brick paving is to simply dig up the site and come up with a dirt path. As a result, you will have a natural route or a pathway that receives a lot of foot traffic. However, you will first need to put in some effort to level the surface. Additionally, you will also need to weed the path to prevent it from overgrowing. And finally, install at least 6-inch edges deep into the ground, surrounding the path to prevent grass runners from taking over the pathway.

Tarmac Plainings

Tarmac plainings share a popular presence in small-sized homes but create a rough but stable driveway surface. If you plan on creating a cheap driveway or additional parking, this is the least expensive method you can opt for. The tarmac plainings are made using recycled tarmac, which is first poured and then leveled to create a dark driveway that will last for years to come.

Decking

As compared to paving, decking is not always cheap but makes for a great alternative offering some advantages. If you choose decking, you can opt for composite decking which is fairly inexpensive. You might be able to do some cost savings by employing cheaper labor or designs but keep in mind that decking is not always cheap.

Resin Bound Gravel

Resin-bound gravel when compared to paving is relatively cheaper but can make your patios and driveways look a lot more unique and visually appealing. On the other hand, when it comes to blocking weed, resin-bound gravel does that a lot better than block paving. And, plus, resin-bound gravel lasts for decades to come and remains in good shape over the years.

Final Word

Keep in mind that your needs and preferences will define the overall cost of the project and the alternative you should choose. And if you are in doubt, do not hesitate to consult backyard patio builders Long Island who can install a patio much more cheaply with their experience and money-saving hacks. The project will be completed faster as well.