Albuquerque is not only rich in history, it is also culturally rich with various influences like Spanish, Asian, African, and Anglo. This richness is seen in the varied architecture, hardscapes, and landscapes all over Duke City.
Knowing that, it is understandable that you would want to have a patio that reflects the city’s culture. You’d also want to take into consideration the wild beauty of the desert. Don’t forget the majestic Sandia Mountains and the scenic Rio Grande. All these can be incorporated into your patio designs to create a unique look.
Now the question is, what material can you use to bring all this inspiration to life? Well, there are two great options you can choose from: concrete patio or pavers. So, which one between pavers vs concrete is best in terms of design? Could they also withstand the elemental challenges thrown their way by Albuquerque?
Upgrading your home with eye-catching patios and other hardscapes like driveways and pool decks is exciting. But, it is important to know the factors you need to consider before breaking ground.
One of the determinants is your lifestyle and intended use for your patio. Do you plan on hosting neighborhood barbeques in summer? How about simply creating a zen spot where you can relax after a long day at work? Maybe you wish to extend your living space outdoors, making your patio a functional addition to your home.
Depending on your response, deciding between concrete and pavers should be made easier.
Resilience is a must in Albuquerque. The city’s topography, elevation, and cold and semi-arid climate can throw a wrench in any hardscape and landscape.
Clay plus caliche is never a good combination - and Albuquerque has tons of it! This presents a challenge to any structure, no matter what material you use. The notorious combination of clay and caliche is especially problematic in neighborhoods built on the city's outer fringes. In the West Mesa and North Valley, this soil is common. Now why are clay and caliche an issue? Caliche is a hardpan soil that is almost as rigid as a rock. It does not really soften when it becomes wet, but the soil around it does. When it rains, and the soil around it moves, caliche also moves, affecting the structure sitting atop it. Moreover, caliche is terrible for water drainage and requires heavy machinery to be removed.
As for clay, it swells and becomes soft when mixed with rainwater. On the other hand, it contracts when the moisture in it evaporates. The change in clay structure can cause strain on pavement that could lead it to crack. Also, like caliche, clay is awful at draining rainwater, resulting in flooding and erosion.
We can enjoy the outdoors thanks to the 310 sunny days we have in Albuquerque. But the same cannot be said for pavements and other outdoor structures. Imagine getting beaten relentlessly by the heat of the sun that could get as high as 93°F and you’ll understand how difficult it can be. Add to that the afternoon rains that cause the temperature to drop, adding stress to concrete and pavers. Besides causing internal stress to concrete due to changes in outside temperatures, it could also cause fading.
There are also possible freeze-thaw cycles when the temperature drops below freezing that sometimes happen in Duke City. When there’s water inside concrete when winter arrives, it could freeze and expand further. It’s like ice crystals elbowing the insides of concrete. But this worsens when the temperature rises and ice melts. It could get to the rebars, if there are any, and cause the metal to corrode, further causing damage to the structure. Imagine this happening over and over until winter is over - the worst way for pavement or patio to deteriorate.
Albuquerque's topography varies significantly. From flat plains to the rugged Sandia Mountains, the terrain is simply different. In flat areas, you might experience some drainage issues because of caliche and clay soil. But notably, flooding is less severe. However, go a little bit higher, like in the foothills of the Sandias or along the Rio Grande Valley, and you’ll have to deal with erosion and runoff.
Although Albuquerque only experiences an average annual rainfall of 9 inches, it could get intense when thunderstorms occur. With the soil too dry, it cannot absorb water quickly enough that there’s always a chance of flooding and erosion.
In most parts of the United States, especially in Albuquerque, concrete is a popular choice for building backyard patios. People love it for its durability and being budget-friendly. It can provide a solid foundation at an affordable price.
Pavers have gained popularity in recent years due to their aesthetic appeal and versatility. You can choose from concrete pavers, clay and brick pavers, and natural stone. In Albuquerque's arid climate, pavers offer several advantages.
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