The Pros and Cons of Paver Driveways: A Comprehensive Paver Driveway Guide

Let's face it, Tampa - our city is a sizzling paradise most of the year. But while a tourist magnet, Florida’s unrelenting sunshine can devastate our driveways. With 246 sunny days and average summer highs of 91°F, Tampa’s climate can put the driveway under pressure. If you are seeing obvious wear and tear on your driveway sooner than expected, maybe it's time to go for something that’s more high-end.

Before you dive headfirst, let's unpack the pros and cons, keeping in mind Tampa's unique geography, climate, and cultural flare.

Tampa Bay boasts a humid subtropical climate. In here, expect summers to be real scorchers. But don’t get fooled. In the “Lightning Capital of the World,” there are sporadic thunderstorms you need to be wary of. This weather pattern can be brutal on driveways, causing them to crack and heave. If this is one of your main concerns, paver driveways are a good choice.

• Less Heat Absorption and Retention (Indirectly): Due to the spaces between individual units, there’s more airflow and better air circulation than with a large, thick concrete slab. This feature helps reduce the amount of heat that the surface holds onto, making it cooler underfoot.  Also, pavers are excellent for water drainage. It is important to note that standing water can add 25 to 40°F to the driveway’s surface temperature. The sun’s rays heat any water on the surface, but good drainage prevents that water from pooling, therefore decreasing the amount of heat that’s absorbed and retained on the pavers’ surface. Furthermore, the evaporation of that same water back into the ground beneath the units exerts a small cooling effect in a manner similar to sweat that’s evaporating from our skin. This helps to reduce the surface temperature too.
  
  
• Reflectivity: Lighter-colored driveway pavers reflect more light than darker materials. This allows pavers to reflect more light than they absorb, leaving them cooler to the touch. Some pavers also use natural stone, which tends to dissipate heat faster.
  
  
• Curb Appeal Kings: Tampa isn't known for cookie-cutter designs. Have you seen the Mediterranean Revival mansions of Bayshore Beautiful? How about the Craftsman bungalows of Hyde Park? From that, you know our neighborhoods showcase vibrant architecture. Whereas concrete is a one-note, grey blandness, pavers come in a dizzying array of colors, styles, and textures. You can select from traditional red brick tones to modern, charcoal-colored ones to complement almost any style of home – from a rustic bungalow to a modern mansion. Regarding styles, you can choose linear patterns for a modern look. Or, you can go with, say, the time-honored elegance of a herringbone or a basketweave design. Spruce it up with smooth or textured finishes to add depth and visual interest to your driveway.
  
  

• Salty Air Saviors: For coastal Tampa residents, choosing salt-resistant materials like pavers can save them on repairs and replacements. Unlike other materials that easily corrode because of salt spray, this material provides superior resistance. Concrete pavers are formulated with a lower water-to-cement ratio. This formulation makes them denser and more resistant to corrosion caused by salt spray. Meanwhile, porcelain ones are durable and impervious to salt damage.
  
  

• Flood Zone Friendly: In flood-prone areas, permeable pavers make a big advantage. Gaps between units let water pass through and drain into the ground. This feature prevents water from pooling and flooding.
  
  

• Investment, Not Expense: Paver installation in Tampa is not cheap. It is more expensive than other materials like traditional concrete. But if you look at durability, the low maintenance work they need, and the fact that they can considerably increase your property value, then you would agree that they are all worth the money.
  
  

• Minimal Maintenance: Paver driveways are easy to maintain. You don’t need to spend much time scrubbing individual units. Just do some regular weeding and occasional sand replenishment and you are all good. Those maintenance are the only things your paver driveway needs to stay looking sharp.

• Higher upfront cost: We won’t sugarcoat it - paver driveway installation is going to cost you. If you are working on a tight budget, it maybe a disadvantage. Installation of paver driveways per square foot in Tampa is between $11 and $55. The price depends on the materials and equipment to be used. Location and labor costs also factor in. Taking all these into consideration, a 400 sqft driveway can cost you around $4,400 up to a whopping $22,000.
  
  
• Settling and Unevenness: Tampa’s sandy soil and improper installation are the most common drawbacks when using this material. When the units become uneven, professional re-leveling services will be required.
  
  
• Maintenance Needs: Minimal, but still necessary. You need to pull weeds and refill the sand between the units. Pro Tip: If your installer isn’t thinking about using polymeric sand during installation, ask them – you will thank yourself when you do not have to pull weeds regularly and can stay focused on enjoying your weekend.

Let's talk turkey. At first glance, paver installation costs more upfront than concrete driveways, but it begins to make sense once you think about your climate in Tampa. Pavers are an investment over the long term; they are extremely durable, long-lasting, and resistant to the elements, which makes them a money-saver over time since they require less upkeep. 

Here’s a good example: would you rather pay a little more now for a gorgeous, low-maintenance driveway or constantly sink money into patching and repairing one with a cracked concrete finish?

Don’t worry about the upfront expense! Most concrete companies in Tampa provide financing options. Plus, with an impeccable paver driveway, your property value can increase substantially, which will make your decision to go with material look like the smart move it was from the very beginning.

Pavers have many benefits. But, like everything else, they aren’t perfect. When not installed properly or with the slightest ground movement, can tilt and become uneven. Paving a driveway with pavers will become a bumpy ride before long.

But no need to worry! All is not lost. Re-leveling services are a key part of the package offered by professional paving companies. The reason is simple: Since they are already installed on your property, your best option is often to dig them up and, with careful attention, raise any sunken units and reorient them to re-achieve the level, even surface they originally delivered. 

Pro Tip: Schedule annual or semi-annual inspections of settling issues. Inspecting your paver driveway is a smart part of regular preventative upkeep, especially following periods of heavy rains or other fluctuating extreme temperatures.