When homeowners start researching pavers, they quickly discover that not all pavers are the same. The brand, manufacturing process, and material quality vary significantly, and those differences show up in how the finished product looks and performs over 10, 20, or 30 years. Rock N Roll Stoneworks is a Belgard Authorized Contractor and Reseller, and we chose that partnership deliberately. Here is why.
The Paver Market: Who Makes What
Four major manufacturers dominate the premium paver market in the United States: Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Unilock, and Cambridge. Each produces quality products, and we want to be upfront about that. There is no bad option among these four. But there are meaningful differences that matter for Colorado homeowners.
Belgard is manufactured by Oldcastle APG, the largest producer of hardscape products in North America. Their manufacturing scale means consistent product availability, uniform color batches, and the kind of quality control that comes from producing millions of square feet of pavers annually.
Techo-Bloc is a Canadian manufacturer known for contemporary, architecturally styled pavers. Their products are well made and visually distinctive, with a design aesthetic that leans modern.
Unilock is another strong manufacturer with a wide product range and good dealer network, primarily concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast.
Cambridge produces primarily on the East Coast and has a strong presence in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets.
Why We Build with Belgard
Availability in Colorado: This is the practical starting point. Belgard has strong distribution along the Colorado Front Range with local yards that stock a full product line. When we need material for a project in Lafayette, Erie, or Boulder, we can get it quickly and reliably. Techo-Bloc and Unilock have more limited distribution in our area, which can mean longer lead times and higher freight costs. Cambridge has minimal presence in Colorado. Availability matters because material delays stop projects, and special-order products are harder to match if you need additional material down the road.
Color consistency: Belgard's manufacturing process produces remarkably consistent color across production runs. When you pick a paver color from a sample, the pallets that arrive on your job site match. This sounds like a basic expectation, but color variation between batches is a common problem across the industry. Belgard's scale and quality control make this less of an issue.
Product range: Belgard offers one of the widest product lines in the industry, from traditional tumbled pavers to large-format modern slabs, permeable paver systems, and a full range of retaining wall blocks. That breadth means we can specify Belgard products for virtually any design style without mixing manufacturers, which simplifies ordering, warranty coverage, and long-term material matching.
Lifetime warranty: Belgard offers a lifetime warranty on their paver products against manufacturing defects, including structural integrity and color stability. When that warranty is combined with installation by a Belgard Authorized Contractor, the homeowner gets both material and workmanship coverage. That dual-warranty structure gives our clients strong protection.
Honest Comparison: Where Others Have Edges
We believe in giving straight information. Here is where competing brands have advantages:
Techo-Bloc arguably leads in contemporary design aesthetics. Their Blu Grande and Industria lines have a refined, modern look that is distinctive. If a client has a specific modern-minimalist vision and wants the widest selection of ultra-contemporary styles, Techo-Bloc deserves a look. The trade-off along the Front Range is limited local availability and higher delivered cost.
Unilock's EnduraColor Plus surface technology produces a dense, fade-resistant top layer. It is excellent technology. Belgard's own manufacturing process produces strong color stability, but Unilock's marketing of this specific feature resonates with homeowners concerned about fading.
Cambridge offers an ArmorTec surface treatment that provides stain resistance. For high-traffic commercial applications or areas prone to oil staining, this is a meaningful feature.
What Actually Matters Long-Term
After building hundreds of paver projects across Lafayette, Erie, Boulder, Westminster, Longmont, and the surrounding communities, here is what we have learned matters most for long-term performance and satisfaction:
Installation quality trumps product brand. A Belgard paver installed on a poorly compacted base will fail. A mid-range paver installed on a properly engineered base will perform for decades. The single biggest variable in how your patio performs is the contractor who builds it, not which premium brand name is on the paver.
Local availability matters for repairs and additions. Five years from now, if you want to extend your patio or replace a damaged section, you need to be able to get matching material. Belgard's strong Colorado distribution makes this straightforward. Less-available brands can make future matching difficult or impossible.
Warranty is only as good as the contractor behind it. A lifetime material warranty means nothing if the installation fails due to poor base work. As a Belgard Authorized Contractor, we meet Belgard's installation standards, which means the warranty actually has teeth. Our paver installations follow Belgard's specified methods for base preparation, edge restraint, and joint sand application.
The Bottom Line
We chose Belgard because their products perform exceptionally well in Colorado's climate, their availability along the Front Range is unmatched, their product range covers every design style we encounter, and their warranty program gives our clients real protection. We do not think other premium brands are bad. We think Belgard is the best fit for the projects we build and the clients we serve.
Want to see Belgard products in person? Contact us to visit our sample displays or schedule a free consultation for your project.
