"Edwin Pawlowski" writes:

"Dan Espen" wrote in message
I see everyone recommending concrete and I wonder why.
I just replaced a concrete patio with pavers.

The concrete was very old (maybe 30 years) and the sections
had settled so that they no longer lined up. I saw no way
to repair them other than rent a jackhammer and have the pieces
hauled away.

I would imagine that my pavers will need some adjustments
after 30 years too. However with pavers, someone can just
lift them up, level the sand bed and put them back.
I'd guess those pavers are good for at least a hundred years.

If the original patio was done correctly, there would be no adjustments
needed. I know of some that are 50 years old, walks at are pushing 100 years
and in excellent condition.

This particular patio consisted of a bunch of 4x8 concrete sections
separated by redwood 2x4s. It looked like they anchored the
2x4x in place by driving nails thru them and embedding the
nail into the concrete.

After living in the house about 10 years I had to replace the
redwood. It does eventually rot. I used pressure treated instead.

Eventually I replaced the whole thing because there was up to a 2 inch
diffference in height between the sections.

I guess the sections were migrating due to frost heaving
and the wide separation between the sections. They were
out of alignment even before I pulled out the rotten redwood.