Pavers vs. Concrete: Why We Recommend Pavers for Screen Room Foundations

Trying to choose between pavers and concrete for your screen enclosure foundation? This guide walks you through the pros, cons, long-term maintenance, and why Florida homeowners prefer pavers. Plus, watch a video on exactly how it’s installed beneath your screen room.

What we'll talk about in this blog:

Why Florida Soil Isn’t Friendly to Concrete
Advantages of Pavers over Concrete for Screen Rooms in Florida
But Isn’t It Cheaper to Just Use Concrete?
Pavers vs Concrete Foundation: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Watch the Video to See the Difference...

Why Florida Soil Isn’t Friendly to Concrete

If you’ve lived in Florida for a while, you already know: the ground here has a mind of its own. The soil is mostly sand and marsh, which means it’s constantly shifting with moisture, rain, and temperature changes.

That movement might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a major reason concrete patios in Florida's humidity are almost guaranteed to crack.

So, What Happens When You Use a Concrete Screen Room Foundation in Florida?

The reality is simple: Florida doesn’t play nice with concrete.

Even the best-poured slab can start to show hairline cracks within months. Add in the constant heat, heavy downpours, and occasional hurricane season, and it’s only a matter of time before those small cracks become wide, visible lines that ruin the look of your outdoor space. And once concrete cracks, there’s no easy fix.

You can patch or resurface, but the damage will always show.

At Impact Enclosures, we’ve seen it all, and we tell our clients the truth:

“There are two types of concrete: concrete that has cracked, and concrete that will crack.”

That’s why more and more homeowners are skipping traditional screen room concrete foundations in favor of paver patios that can handle Florida’s shifting soil. Pavers are flexible, forgiving, and far better suited to our ever-changing coastal conditions.

Advantages of Pavers over Concrete for Screen Rooms in Florida

Concrete might seem like the “standard” option, but pavers are made for Florida’s unique conditions.

They’re flexible, beautiful, and far more forgiving when it comes to our marshy, shifting soil. That’s why screen room paver foundations are becoming the preferred choice for long-term performance and style, especially when installed the right way.

Unlike concrete slabs, which crack and can’t be patched without resurfacing the entire area, pavers move with the ground. If one area settles, we can simply lift and re-level it.

Pros of Pavers for Florida Weather:

• Small shifts are easy to fix 

• Holds up better against moisture, rain, and ground movement

• Adds beautiful texture, color, and dimension to your space

• Doesn’t ruin the look with sprawling cracks like concrete does

• Pairs beautifully with decorative borders or integrated drainage

• Keeps its premium appearance for years 

If you’re wondering how screen enclosure pavers vs concrete stack up in real life, just ask any of our past clients. The consistent answer? Pavers look better, last longer, and are easier to maintain.

But Isn’t It Cheaper to Just Use Concrete?

We get this question all the time. Here's the deal: the short answer is yes, but in the long term, concrete can cost you more.

Florida’s shifting ground and constant humidity wreak havoc on concrete slabs. Cracks are almost guaranteed. And once they show up, there’s no spot-fixing. You’re looking at a full resurfacing or coating job, which drives up your total investment fast.

Why Clients Still Choose Pavers (Even If They're a Bit More):

• Cracked concrete = permanent eyesore

• Pavers = easy to relevel, easy to repair

• Concrete slabs may save dollars, but sacrifice long-term aesthetics

• Pavers are worth the investment, especially with Florida’s soft, sandy soil

So while it may seem cheaper to skip pavers and pour a slab, many homeowners find that it's an easy decision once they weigh upfront cost against lifespan, maintenance, and looks.

Pavers vs Concrete Foundation: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Concrete seems simpler and cheaper at first glance, but pavers win big when you look at long-term performance, appearance, and ease of repair. Here’s how they really compare:

Watch the Video to See the Difference...

It’s one thing to hear about footer installations and leveling. It’s another to see how it all works. This quick video walks you through how we install a concrete footer beneath the paver pad, anchor the enclosure properly, and make sure everything stays sturdy and beautiful for years.

The Bottom Line: Pavers Are the Way to Go

Concrete might save a little upfront, but when you factor in repairs, resurfacing, and long-term durability, the gap narrows fast.

Pavers are stronger, more flexible, and built to handle Florida’s shifting ground without sacrificing looks. That’s why our clients love them and why we recommend them for nearly every project.

Thinking about a new screen room or patio upgrade? Let’s talk through the best foundation for your space and budget.