【Latest Survey 2026】Concrete Ranks First for Exterior Paving Materials! What is the 'Unexpected Dissatisfaction' Many Gravel Users Face?
A survey conducted by Solar Partners Co., Ltd.'s "Gaikou Exterior Partners" revealed that while concrete is the most used exterior paving material, approximately 40% of gravel users are dissatisfied with weeds. Artificial turf, despite its low adoption rate, shows a high satisfaction rate of about 90%.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 02:35 (16h 4m after Collected)
Solar Partners Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Akihiro Nakajima), which operates "Gaikou Exterior Partners," an estimation site for detached house exterior construction, conducted a survey on "exterior paving materials" through its own service.
◆Survey Overview
・Target: Individuals who have previously registered for any service of Solar Partners Co., Ltd.
・Period: April 25, 2026 - April 29, 2026
・Sample Size: 107 cases
*If quoting this survey in web media, please cite the source and link to Gaikou Exterior Partners (https://www.gaikouexterior-partners.jp/contents/28263).
■What is the main paving material you use in your garden or exterior?
Concrete was the top main paving material used, accounting for 38.7% (41 cases), followed by gravel at 25.5% (27 cases). These two combined make up approximately 64% of the total, indicating that these two materials have become standard for residential gardens and exteriors. Meanwhile, options such as artificial turf (8.5%), weed control sheet + gravel (7.5%), and interlocking blocks (4.7%) also garnered a certain level of support.
■Why did you choose that paving material for your exterior?
Notably, "weed control" ranked high for all four major materials. However, for concrete, "parking/bicycle parking" was overwhelmingly the top reason, while for gravel, "cost" stood out, revealing clear differences in the context of material selection.
■Please tell us your satisfaction level after installing that paving material in your exterior.
Comparing the proportion of "very satisfied + somewhat satisfied" among the four major materials, a clear difference in satisfaction levels emerged.
Artificial turf: Approximately 89% (8 out of 9 people)
Concrete: Approximately 68% (28 out of 41 people)
Gravel: Approximately 41% (11 out of 27 people)
Weed control sheet + gravel: Approximately 38% (3 out of 8 people)
A reversal phenomenon was observed: artificial turf, with an adoption rate of only 8.5%, showed high satisfaction, while weed control sheet + gravel, which should be a decisive solution for weed control, had the lowest satisfaction among the four materials and the highest dissatisfaction rate.
■What were the good points about choosing that paving material? (Multiple answers)
Looking at the relationship between selection reasons and effects, concrete (parking/bicycle parking) and artificial turf (appearance) achieved their "intended effects." However, for gravel, "nothing in particular" ranked third, indicating a weak sense of achieved effect.
■Do you have any regrets or dissatisfactions?
The most notable point here is that for gravel and weed control sheet + gravel, which are chosen for "weed control," approximately 40% responded that "weeds grow." 10 out of 27 people (approx. 37%) for gravel and 3 out of 8 people (approx. 38%) for weed control sheet + gravel are troubled by weeds. This reveals the reality that laying sheets alone does not completely solve the weed problem over time.
On the other hand, for concrete, "no dissatisfaction" was the most frequent response with 18 cases, and its only weakness was "cracks, chips, sinking" (7 cases). Deterioration due to long-term use emerged as an issue.
■Summary
This survey revealed three main characteristics:
Concrete shows high satisfaction and a low dissatisfaction rate, but "cracks, chips, sinking" are issues unique to concrete.
The biggest motivation for choosing paving materials is "weed control," but gravel and weed control sheet + gravel users are troubled by weeds, suggesting these solutions may be insufficient.
Artificial turf, despite its low adoption rate, has an outstanding satisfaction rate of approximately 90%, highly rated for both appearance and practicality.
It can be said that when choosing paving materials, considering long-term weed control effects and aging deterioration, not just initial cost and appearance, significantly influences final satisfaction.
■About Gaikou Exterior Partners
We operate "Gaikou Exterior Partners," an estimation site for exterior construction.
This service is characterized by a "matching type" mechanism where exterior planners are on staff, and after carefully listening to customer needs, they match them with affiliated companies based on their areas of expertise. Since exterior construction is often a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people, we have established a support system that first-time users can utilize with peace of mind.
Eight advisors, who are qualified exterior planners, are on staff to handle all cumbersome communications such as scheduling adjustments, price negotiations, and refusal notifications on behalf of the customer.
We have strict criteria for screening affiliated contractors, and as of April 2026, we have over 600 affiliated companies nationwide. Even after affiliation, we conduct on-site checks of the staff's personality and office atmosphere through customer surveys and visits to their offices.
For those desiring new exterior construction, we introduce contractors who can create design perspectives, and for those desiring exterior renovation, we match contractors suitable for the scope of work.
◆Survey Overview
・Target: Individuals who have previously registered for any service of Solar Partners Co., Ltd.
・Period: April 25, 2026 - April 29, 2026
・Sample Size: 107 cases
*If quoting this survey in web media, please cite the source and link to Gaikou Exterior Partners (https://www.gaikouexterior-partners.jp/contents/28263).
■What is the main paving material you use in your garden or exterior?
Concrete was the top main paving material used, accounting for 38.7% (41 cases), followed by gravel at 25.5% (27 cases). These two combined make up approximately 64% of the total, indicating that these two materials have become standard for residential gardens and exteriors. Meanwhile, options such as artificial turf (8.5%), weed control sheet + gravel (7.5%), and interlocking blocks (4.7%) also garnered a certain level of support.
■Why did you choose that paving material for your exterior?
Notably, "weed control" ranked high for all four major materials. However, for concrete, "parking/bicycle parking" was overwhelmingly the top reason, while for gravel, "cost" stood out, revealing clear differences in the context of material selection.
■Please tell us your satisfaction level after installing that paving material in your exterior.
Comparing the proportion of "very satisfied + somewhat satisfied" among the four major materials, a clear difference in satisfaction levels emerged.
Artificial turf: Approximately 89% (8 out of 9 people)
Concrete: Approximately 68% (28 out of 41 people)
Gravel: Approximately 41% (11 out of 27 people)
Weed control sheet + gravel: Approximately 38% (3 out of 8 people)
A reversal phenomenon was observed: artificial turf, with an adoption rate of only 8.5%, showed high satisfaction, while weed control sheet + gravel, which should be a decisive solution for weed control, had the lowest satisfaction among the four materials and the highest dissatisfaction rate.
■What were the good points about choosing that paving material? (Multiple answers)
Looking at the relationship between selection reasons and effects, concrete (parking/bicycle parking) and artificial turf (appearance) achieved their "intended effects." However, for gravel, "nothing in particular" ranked third, indicating a weak sense of achieved effect.
■Do you have any regrets or dissatisfactions?
The most notable point here is that for gravel and weed control sheet + gravel, which are chosen for "weed control," approximately 40% responded that "weeds grow." 10 out of 27 people (approx. 37%) for gravel and 3 out of 8 people (approx. 38%) for weed control sheet + gravel are troubled by weeds. This reveals the reality that laying sheets alone does not completely solve the weed problem over time.
On the other hand, for concrete, "no dissatisfaction" was the most frequent response with 18 cases, and its only weakness was "cracks, chips, sinking" (7 cases). Deterioration due to long-term use emerged as an issue.
■Summary
This survey revealed three main characteristics:
Concrete shows high satisfaction and a low dissatisfaction rate, but "cracks, chips, sinking" are issues unique to concrete.
The biggest motivation for choosing paving materials is "weed control," but gravel and weed control sheet + gravel users are troubled by weeds, suggesting these solutions may be insufficient.
Artificial turf, despite its low adoption rate, has an outstanding satisfaction rate of approximately 90%, highly rated for both appearance and practicality.
It can be said that when choosing paving materials, considering long-term weed control effects and aging deterioration, not just initial cost and appearance, significantly influences final satisfaction.
■About Gaikou Exterior Partners
We operate "Gaikou Exterior Partners," an estimation site for exterior construction.
This service is characterized by a "matching type" mechanism where exterior planners are on staff, and after carefully listening to customer needs, they match them with affiliated companies based on their areas of expertise. Since exterior construction is often a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people, we have established a support system that first-time users can utilize with peace of mind.
Eight advisors, who are qualified exterior planners, are on staff to handle all cumbersome communications such as scheduling adjustments, price negotiations, and refusal notifications on behalf of the customer.
We have strict criteria for screening affiliated contractors, and as of April 2026, we have over 600 affiliated companies nationwide. Even after affiliation, we conduct on-site checks of the staff's personality and office atmosphere through customer surveys and visits to their offices.
For those desiring new exterior construction, we introduce contractors who can create design perspectives, and for those desiring exterior renovation, we match contractors suitable for the scope of work.