Homeowners almost always add a paver patio or pool deck. You might want to consider concrete instead

Many homeowners dream of having a beautiful paver patio where they can relax after a long day at work. Enjoying the sunset, grilling dinner, reading a book next to the gas fire-pit, or watching the kids play. But the reality often looks more like the photo below.Unless you are prepared to have your pavers professionally sealed about every two years, this is the type of maintenance challenge you should expect here in St. Johns, FL. I clean this patio every year and I’m not exaggerating.

Here are the facts about this patio:It is located next to a retention pond.It has a screened-in enclosure. The side yard has vinyl fencing, with metal fencing along the pond. There is one medium-sized tree approximately 10 feet from the enclosure. The home itself is very nice, and the views outside the enclosure are excellent.However, every year I pull up in my rig this is what I see, and that’s not the only maintenance issue. The screen enclosure is also covered in green algae, creating another cleaning expense. Many homeowners just want their pavers cleaned when directly above the enclosure is lime green. Leaving the algae-covered enclosure untouched can actually accelerate organic growth on the pavers. Every rainfall can wash algae and organic material right back onto the surface. A properly poured concrete patio eliminates many of these long-term maintenance headaches:

✅ Concrete will not settle and create low spots that collect water.
✅ Concrete does not have thousands of sand joints where weeds can grow.
✅ Concrete does not experience sand joint erosion and washout.
✅ Concrete will not develop exposed aggregate wear on the surface because the paver face has lost its protective sealer.

😳 Concrete does not cost $2,000 to clean, sand, and seal every other year. Pavers can look incredible when they are new and properly maintained. But before investing in a paver patio addition, make sure you understand the ongoing maintenance commitment. In Florida’s humid environment — especially near ponds, trees, and screened enclosures — that beautiful paver patio requires regular upkeep to stay that way.