How to Choose the Right Paver for Your Patio (Ontario Guide)
Shape, surface, colour, grade, and what each choice means for your patio
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Fully insured & guaranteed
- Serving the Greater Toronto Area
- Fully insured & WSIB
- Landscape Ontario standards
- Serving the area since 2008
There are hundreds of paver options across Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Unilock and Permacon. Choosing one feels overwhelming. Here is the decision framework we walk through with homeowners on every quote, in the order that matters.
The five decisions, in order
Step 1: Decide on the look you want (modern vs traditional vs heritage). This decision narrows the field by 70%. Contemporary or modern looks pair with large-format pavers (anything over 30 cm on the long side) in smooth or lightly-textured finishes, in greys, charcoals and blacks. Traditional looks pair with mid-size pavers in warm tans and beiges with light texture. Heritage looks (suited to Victorian or pre-1940 homes) pair with smaller tumbled or reclaimed-look pavers in warm earth tones. Knowing this first lets you walk past 70% of the catalogue.
Step 2: Match the paver to your home’s exterior. Hold a sample of the paver against your home’s brick, stone, or siding. The paver should complement, not match exactly. A red-brick home pairs well with grey or charcoal pavers (contrast) or warm tans (harmony). A modern stucco or board-and-batten home pairs with large-format greys. A natural-stone exterior pairs with natural-stone or tumbled pavers. If your sample looks like it argues with the house, pick a different sample.
Step 3: Pick the grade (economy, mid, premium). Within each look, manufacturers offer economy, mid-grade and premium lines. Economy lines (Belgard Holland Stone, Techo-Bloc Standard, Unilock Hollandstone) cost $80 to $110 per m² installed and look great. Mid-grade (Belgard Mega-Lafitt, Techo-Bloc Aberdeen, Unilock Beacon Hill) cost $110 to $150 and add surface texture or colour depth. Premium (Belgard Catalina, Techo-Bloc Borealis, Unilock Brussels Block) cost $150 to $220 and offer intricate patterns or premium textures. There is no wrong choice; the grade should match the project budget rather than be chased above the budget.
Step 4: Verify the warranty and supply chain. All four major Canadian paver brands (Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Unilock, Permacon) carry residential lifetime or 25-year structural warranties on their main lines. Verify the specific product you are selecting has a warranty (the bottom of every product page typically says). Verify the product is in stock from a regional supplier; lead times on specialty pavers can be 4 to 8 weeks during peak season.
Step 5: Order a sample and sit with it. Most reputable landscape suppliers will lend you a single paver sample or sell a small box. Bring the sample home, set it on your existing patio area or driveway, look at it in morning light, noon sun, and evening light. Look at it after rain (wet pavers look very different from dry). The colour and texture you see in a catalogue is approximate; the in-hand reality is what matters. Give yourself a few days with the sample before committing to thousands of square feet.
Common questions during the choosing process
Should I match my driveway to my patio?
Not necessarily, but they should not clash. Many successful designs use a slightly more refined paver in the backyard patio and a more durable, traffic-rated paver in the driveway, both in the same colour family. Different sizes in the same colour family read as intentional design.
Will the colour fade?
Modern concrete pavers from major brands hold their colour very well thanks to integral colour technology (the pigment runs through the paver, not just on the surface). Some fading over 15+ years is normal. The colour you choose today is essentially the colour you have for the long run.
What about permeable pavers?
Permeable pavers (with built-in gaps that let water filter through) cost 20 to 40% more than equivalent solid pavers and require permeable base aggregate. They make sense if your municipality requires on-site stormwater management or if you want to reduce runoff impact. For most projects, regular pavers are still the right choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does the brand really matter?
Less than you might think. The four major Canadian brands (Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Unilock, Permacon) all manufacture to similar specs and offer comparable warranties. Brand matters more for the breadth of product line (one brand may have a colour you love that the others do not) than for quality differences.
Can I mix paver styles in one patio?
Yes, and well-designed patios often do. A common pattern is to use one paver for the main field and a contrasting paver for a border or accent band. Mixing 3+ different pavers usually looks busy; stick to 2 maximum in most residential designs.
How do I know if a paver will fit my budget?
Use our patio cost calculator with the grade you are considering. Drop the grade one level if the total exceeds budget; the visual difference between mid-grade and premium is often smaller than the price gap suggests.
What is the most popular paver choice in our area?
Mid-grade textured pavers in a charcoal-and-cream blend (think Techo-Bloc Aberdeen, Belgard Cambridge Cobble) are by far the most popular choice across Hamilton, Halton and Niagara residential projects. They suit a wide range of architecture and are forgiving of leaves, dirt and weathering.
Should I pick the paver first or hire a designer first?
Either order works. If you have a strong sense of what you want, picking the paver first and working backward is fine. If you are unsure, a landscape designer can suggest paver options that fit the broader design plan, which sometimes leads to choices you would not have considered.
Get help picking
We bring physical samples to every quote visit so you can see and feel the options against your home before deciding.