[BruceMi]

Where did you purchase the sealer?

[tophcfa]

I would never put in pavers. Weeds grow in-between them and they can get knocked out of place or become uneven and be a tripping hazard. In the spirit of low maintenance, skip the pavers.

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I have had both and given a choice I would just keep bare concrete.

And let's face it, a bare concrete driveway is a lot easier to shovel in the winter.

[tcaine]

We have had both ...
2 car plus golf cart garage- thick pavers cost $9000, were beautiful but required more upkeep.
Painted was very nice also. Cost $1800 and very little maintenance required.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Laker14

If you were starting with the blank concrete driveway, and you wanted to do something more esthetically pleasing, would you go with pavers, or epoxy?
What are the relative pros and cons of each approach?

Which is more expensive to install?

What is the frequency and cost of maintenance ?

Can you give me an idea of cost of each for installing, per square foot (if that's how they charge)?

Thanks

I prefer bare concrete. But, I don't think epoxy is allowed to be used on the driveway, or anywhere outside. It can only be used in the garage. They apply a concrete stain to the driveway, which needs to be sealed periodically.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I prefer bare concrete. But, I don't think epoxy is allowed to be used on the driveway, or anywhere outside. It can only be used in the garage. They apply a concrete stain to the driveway, which needs to be sealed periodically.

You really need to get out more often.

I would be surprised if I didn't find an epoxy drive on the street that you live on. Perhaps it is rare in a patio villa neighborhood but it is common everywhere else.

[Laker14]

I appreciate all of this information, and the personal opinions as well. But just to further illustrate my ignorance on the subject, when one refers to "painting" a driveway, is this a different treatment than epoxy?

Also, I gather from one of the posts, that when it comes to epoxy, there is a "latex" option vs. an "enamel" option? Is this correct?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

You really need to get out more often.

I would be surprised if I didn't find an epoxy drive on the street that you live on. Perhaps it is rare in a patio villa neighborhood but it is common everywhere else.

You are correct that they make an epoxy product that is appropriate for concrete driveways. But, most of the coated driveways I have seen in The Villages are covered with a concrete stain product, with a different epoxy product used in the garage. I understand that the epoxy used in the garage offers better protection against oil and gasoline spills. None of the driveways on my street have an epoxy coating.

[solomon]

Definitely use pavers...do not use paradise pavers..use jamie...do not use the thin pavers.remove concrete and put thick pavers down....

[Michiganders]

We were told by a couple companies, that you can't use epoxy on outside concrete because the sun (uv rays) will yellow the color. Epoxy is used in the garage. Water based or solvent based paint is used for outside cement.

[Donb0975]

One comment I would make is not to use Pooters if you choose pavers. This is from personal experience with that company.

[justjim]

Our first Florida home (20 years ago) we had our driveway stained/painted mainly because everybody on the street was doing it. Sold after 3 years and had it sealed every year. We drove by the house three or four years later and it was fading badly. My guess is they did nothing to it. I didn’t follow the “herd” after that because I didn’t see the utility of painting the driveway. Pavers no way as I don’t want the aggravation. I pressure wash once a year the house and driveway. But it’s a personal matter so do what makes you happy.

[Michael A. David]

Originally Posted by Laker14

If you were starting with the blank concrete driveway, and you wanted to do something more esthetically pleasing, would you go with pavers, or epoxy?
What are the relative pros and cons of each approach?

Which is more expensive to install?

What is the frequency and cost of maintenance ?

Can you give me an idea of cost of each for installing, per square foot (if that's how they charge)?

Thanks

Stay away from Stone Creations of Ocala. The coating they applied chipped and came off.

[Holpat39]

Our neighborhood is 18 years old. Most of the pavers that were installed 10 years or more ago have cracks and broken pieces. Had my driveway painted 17 years ago and still looks great although a little faded. New fad is the stone look which neighbors are using to replace their pavers.

[graciegirl]

Our driveway is bare naked and we have a nice surface in The Garage and on the front porch and on the lanai and the birdcage.

I am of the belief that sometimes less is more. On the other hand I have seen some lovely painted driveways. AND I have seen some peeling cracking butt ugly ones too.