Pavers vs. Bricks: How to Choose the Right Foundation for Your Outdoor Space

Dreaming of a cozy courtyard warmed by a fire pit, a paver patio filled with laughter, or an inviting walkway guiding guests to your front door? Whichever outdoor renovation you choose, your foundation and material choice will matter more than almost anything else. It sets the tone, determines longevity, and makes all the difference in whether your outdoor remodel becomes a source of pride for decades… or a project you need to redo sooner than expected.

If you’ve started researching materials, you’ve likely found yourself asking Google or your favorite AI search engine these questions:

“Pavers vs. bricks—what’s the difference?” Or maybe: “Which is better, pavers or bricks?”

You’re not alone. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same material Selecting the right one has a major impact on your outdoor living experience.

In this guide, we’ll break down the real distinctions between pavers and bricks, compare key factors like durability and cost, and share expert insights based on our more than 30 years of designing and building outdoor spaces across the country. This way, you’ll know exactly which material is right for your patio, driveway, walkway, fire pit area, or backyard transformation.

Pavers vs. Bricks: What They Actually Are (And Why It Matters)

Before we dive into performance, let’s clear up the confusion between what bricks actually are compared to pavers:

Bricks

Traditional bricks are made from natural clay that’s shaped, dried, and fired in a kiln. They’ve been used for thousands of years. Think charming old pathways, historic homes, and those classic brick red tones.

Characteristics:

Limited color variety (typically reds, browns, and neutrals)

Natural clay material

Fired for hardness

Slight variations give them a rustic aesthetic

Pavers

Paving stones (the kind System Pavers installs) are individually compressed pieces made from a precise blend of sand, gravel, cement, and high-strength pigments. They’re engineered—literally designed—for outdoor performance.

Characteristics:

A wide range of colors, textures, shapes, and finishes

Interlocking structure for strength

Manufactured for consistency and durability

Designed specifically for patios, driveways, courtyards, pool decks, and walkways

The bottom line: Bricks offer timeless charm, but pavers are purpose-built for today’s outdoor living, engineered to last longer, look better, and handle heavy use.

Durability: How Long Will Each Material Last?

If you’re creating a space meant for years of family gatherings, fall cookouts, outdoor movie nights, and memorable fire pit moments, durability should be top of mind.

Brick Durability

Bricks are strong, but clay is more porous than concrete. That means bricks:

Absorb water

Can chip or crack over time

Fade in sunny climates

Are affected more strongly by freeze-thaw cycles

Paver Durability

Concrete pavers are engineered to withstand time and weather. They:

Resist cracking due to flexible interlocking installation

Maintain color better due to integrated pigments

Hold up to heavy traffic (like cars and SUVs on a driveway)

Perform well even in areas with rain, snow, or extreme temperature changes

When installed by a professional team (like your local outdoor renovation experts at System Pavers!) pavers can easily last 30+ years, often with no major repairs needed. This is one of the many reasons we proudly back all our paver projects with 25-year workmanship warranties.

Winner: Pavers If long-term performance is a priority, pavers outperform bricks in almost every category.

Cost: What Can You Expect to Spend?

Cost isn’t simply about the material. It’s also about installed cost and long-term costs. This is where many homeowners get confused because material-only prices can look similar but installed prices and longevity of materials may differ.

Clay brick pavers can sometimes be similar in material cost to basic concrete pavers, but installation is often more labor-intensive. Bricks require precise alignment and can involve more on-site cutting, which means brick installations frequently land at the higher end of the installed-cost range for comparable projects.

That said, there is plenty of overlap. High-end pavers can cost more than basic brick, and site factors—like slope correction, grading, drainage improvements, and patio size—often have a bigger impact on price than the choice between brick and paver units. To learn more about our unique and thorough building techniques, check out our patented Permalast Layered Install System.

The smartest move? Compare apples-to-apples installed quotes that include the full scope: base depth, compaction standards, jointing material, edging, and warranties. That’s where the real cost difference becomes clear.

Maintenance costs are where pavers really shine. Because they’re less prone to cracking, fading, or shifting, homeowners typically spend less on long-term upkeep.

Winner: Pavers For most outdoor remodeling projects, pavers offer better long-term value.

Aesthetics: Style, Texture & First Impressions

Now for the really good stuff…let’s talk about looks! Whether you're hosting a casual dinner party, grilling s'mores over your fire pit, or opening the back door to enjoy coffee on the patio, you want your outdoor space to look incredible.

Brick Aesthetics

Bricks are beloved for their historic, charming look. They come in warm, muted tones and give spaces an old-world, classic feel. Great for:

Traditional homes

Historic architecture

Smaller walkways or garden paths

Rustic cottage settings

Paver Aesthetics

Pavers are the go-to choice for homeowners who want personalization and design flexibility. They come in:

Dozens of colors

Modern, transitional, and traditional styles

Smooth or textured finishes

Contemporary large-format designs

Believable stone-look options

They’re perfect for outdoor renovations that need to feel custom, from inviting patios to driveway entrances that boost curb appeal instantly.

Winner: Pavers If you want a tailored, stylish, modern space, pavers offer more possibilities.

Maintenance: Ease vs. Effort

Nobody wants to spend their weekends patching cracks, re-leveling stones, or worrying about stains from last night’s dinner party.

Brick Maintenance

Expect to handle:

Weed growth in joints

Color fading

Occasional cracking

Settling issues that create uneven surfaces

Paver Maintenance

Interlocking pavers are designed to resist shifting. With professional installation and polymeric sand jointing, pavers:

Stay level

Minimize weed growth

Resist staining

Can be easily replaced if damage occurs (one paver at a time, not entire sections)

Winner: Pavers Pavers are built for minimal maintenance and long-term beauty.

Where Each Material Works Best

Best Uses for Bricks

Bricks still have their place! They excel in certain types of projects, such as:

Decorative garden borders

Vintage-inspired walkways

Traditional courtyards

Landscape accents

If you're aiming for a nostalgic, antique feel, bricks can be perfect in the right setting.

Best Uses for Pavers

Pavers are ideal for almost any outdoor renovation, including:

Driveways

Patios

Walkways

Pool decks

Outdoor kitchens

Fire pit areas

Courtyards and dining spaces

They create the most stable, long-lasting foundation for outdoor living, especially for high-use areas where families gather, cook, eat, and spend time together year-round.

Environmental & Performance Considerations

In today’s world, many homeowners are looking for options that are both eco-friendly and efficient.

Brick Sustainability

Clay is natural, but brick manufacturing requires significant energy for kiln-firing.

Paver Sustainability

Concrete pavers can be made using energy-efficient processes, and permeable paver systems help with drainage, runoff reduction, and soil health.

The Big Question: “Which Is Better: Pavers or Bricks?”

For most modern outdoor remodeling needs, pavers are the superior choice. They offer:

Greater durability

Better long-term value

More design flexibility

Easier maintenance

Safer, more even surfaces

Color options that fit any home style

Bricks bring timeless charm, but for patios, outdoor kitchens, walkways, driveways, and fire pit areas meant to last generations, pavers outperform bricks in almost every category.

Choosing the Right Foundation for Outdoor Living Moments

Your outdoor space should be more than pretty. It should be practical, comfortable, and ready for every season. The foundation you choose will shape how you use your space for decades.

At System Pavers, our goal is to help homeowners build spaces that truly elevate everyday life. With more than 30 years of expertise and premium paving systems engineered for performance, we specialize in transforming backyards into places that feel warm, welcoming, and wonderfully you.

If you're considering an outdoor remodel and want materials that enhance design, improve functionality, and stand the test of time, pavers are a choice you can feel confident in.

Ready to Get an Accurate Price Quote?

Whether you’re exploring “pavers vs. bricks,” researching outdoor kitchen design near me, or dreaming of a new patio for cozy nights around the fire, your local expert Design Consultant can help you create an outdoor space you’ll love for decades to come.

Book a complimentary consultation to see exactly what your project will cost. We’ll measure you space, come up with a personalized design and help you select materials so you can know exactly what you’re getting into before a single paver or brick goes into the ground.

Schedule your free, no-risk consultation now >