Concrete vs Rubber Stepping Stones?
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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Pavestone 12" Square Concrete Step Stone
The default budget-and-durable garden paver: a heavy 12-inch cast concrete square (~18 lb) that walks like a real path, sold per stone so you buy the exact count you need. The weight is the trade-off: hauling and setting a long run is heavy work, per-stone pricing adds up, and rigid concrete can chip and crack over years of freeze-thaw heaving.
| Type | Square concrete stepping stone / paver |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast concrete |
| Size | 12 in x 12 in x 1.5 in |
| Weight | ~18 lb each |
| Set count | Sold individually (buy multiples for a path) |
| Colors | Pewter, River Red, Rustic Blend and more |
| Best for | Durable, walkable garden and lawn paths |
Gardener's Supply Recycled Rubber Flagstone Stepping Stone
A lightweight recycled-rubber faux-flagstone that flexes over bumpy ground and shrugs off frost. Best for casual paths, renters, or anyone who wants a crack-proof, easy-to-move alternative to concrete.
| Type | Faux-flagstone stepping stone |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled rubber |
| Size | ~17 in x 18.5 in at widest, 1/2 in thick |
| Weight | Light (a few lb each) |
| Set count | Sold individually |
| Look | Irregular flagstone shape |
| Best for | Lightweight, forgiving path over uneven ground |
Our verdict
Concrete wins on cost and solidity; rubber wins on weight and freeze resistance. Pavestone's 12" concrete paver is ~$5, bears full weight without flexing, and looks crisp, but each stone is ~18 lb to haul and can crack over years of freeze-thaw heaving. The Gardener's Supply recycled-rubber flagstone costs several times more per stone but weighs a few pounds, flexes over uneven ground, and won't crack in frost. Choose concrete for a permanent, budget path where weight isn't an issue; choose rubber for a lightweight, crack-proof path, bumpy ground, or a rental you may relocate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which stepping stone survives freeze-thaw better?
- Rubber. It flexes rather than cracking, while rigid concrete can chip at the edges and crack over years of freeze-thaw heaving. In a cold climate that is the main durability difference.
- How much heavier is concrete?
- Substantially — about 18 lb per 12 in paver versus a few pounds for a rubber flagstone. Over a long path that is the difference between an easy afternoon and real hauling work.
- Which looks better in a garden?
- Concrete generally reads crisper and more like real stone. Rubber can fade, hold summer heat and looks less convincing as flagstone, though it is softer and non-slip underfoot.
- Which is cheaper for a full path?
- Concrete, by a wide margin at about $5 per stone versus several times that for rubber. Both are sold individually, so price the whole path rather than the single stone.