Homeowners value their outdoor spaces. Data from the National Association of Home Builders indicates that the share of homes with patios has reached record-breaking highs in the last seven years.
And homeowners who are selling in today’s expensive housing market find outdoor updates to be a good strategy for standing apart, with research from the National Association of Realtors identifying new patios as top outdoor projects seeing the most increased demand.
Recent technological advances in concrete pavers mean they’re a popular choice for all those new patios and other outdoor living projects thanks to their durability, affordability and an increasingly broad range of design options.
Specifically, premium pavers with Optimized Paver Technology (OPT), which my company produces, provide new opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and build a reputation for delivering high-value projects with high-performance pavers — all while requiring less time and labor.
Another satisfied customer
Aesthetics are fundamental when it comes to hardscaping. Homeowners invest in outdoor living projects to add beauty to their property. The contractor’s ability to deliver the look the customer wants is key.
Optimized pavers are designed for beauty. They feature a factory-integrated surface treatment applied during manufacturing. This treatment is cured into the concrete matrix, becoming permanently bonded to the paver, changing how light reflects off the paver’s surface, enabling a broader range of vibrant color choices that will last for years. These pavers better mimic natural stone, highlight architectural details and help patterns pop, elevating the appearance of everything from simple pathways to elaborate poolside patios.
In addition, factory-integrated coatings protect against all manner of stains — from dirt, leaves and lawn debris to everyday food and beverage spills.
Moreover, many homeowners find that the slight increase in the upfront price point is offset by the higher quality and low maintenance of premium concrete pavers. That may raise eyebrows among hardscape contractors who generate a percentage of their revenue from applying post-installation sealants. However, contractors are finding that focusing on installing premium products instead enables them to expand the value of their projects overall.
Thinking big
Michael Tous, founder of Grass Masters in Lumberton, N.J., acknowledges that the introduction of optimized pavers brought mixed feelings among hardscaping contractors. “A lot of us also clean and seal pavers as a different avenue of income, especially in the summer when installations slow down,” he explains.
While performing this yearly maintenance generates revenue for hardscaping contractors, it brings in slimmer profit margins compared to new hardscape installations. And as Tous recognizes, taking on these maintenance jobs also means allocating sometimes hard-to-find labor to complete the work.
Because of those challenges, Tous decided to invest more into optimized pavers, realizing that factory-treated pavers offered more than a new product line. “This is an opportunity to upsell, offer a better paver and separate my business from the other guys out there,” he says.
And for Tous, focusing on higher-value installations with premium products shows customers that a contractor is focused on excelling in their area of specialization.
“As an experienced contractor, I’m selling my reputation, and I’m only going to offer my customers the best,” he says.
Making the switch
Homeowners are constantly proving that they are willing to pay more for quality products that reduce the time spent on maintenance. In fact, the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) identified the switch to low-maintenance products among the top drivers of home improvement activities in 2024.
And while optimized pavers may not be right for every homeowner, the data clearly shows that there’s a sizable market hungry for the advantages these premium pavers offer.
