For a yard or sidewalk, which is better: concrete or slabs?

Concrete is laid as one single surface. It easily follows awkward shapes, manholeInspection pitA small chamber in the ground with a cover, where drain or rainwater pipes meet and can be checked and cleared. covers and entrances, and doesn't have lots of joints for water to get in or weeds to grow. But it looks plainer, and if it cracksCrackA split or gap in render, concrete, a wall, a coating or wood. Fine cracks are usually only on the surface; ones that grow, keep reopening or run diagonally need attention., the crack shows and the repair stands out.

On a sidewalk that had broken along its whole length, new concrete was laid from the kerbKerbThe row of stone or concrete along the edge of a sidewalk, which separates it from the road and holds the paving in place. to the wall. Once it had dried, it was painted grey for an even look. Paint is a thin layer, though: it wears under foot traffic and needs renewing at some point, and it has to be made for outdoor floors so it isn't slippery when wet.

Slabs and stone look warmer and suit courtyards and older houses. When one spot fails, only that spot is repaired. Their weak point is the joints, which darken and open up over the years. In a stone restaurant courtyard, the stones were still sound after years, and new joints were enough to make it look good again.

The choice depends on how the space is used, the style of the house and the state of the base underneath. For the sidewalk in front of the house, ask your municipality first, because it often sets the materials and colours.