Paver Patios in South Jersey: Techo-Bloc, Belgard & Cambridge Compared
Thinking about pavers instead of stamped concrete? We install both — and we'll give you an honest comparison so you can make the right decision for your property. If pavers are the way to go, here's everything you need to know about the top three paver brands we work with in South Jersey, what they cost, and how to get the most value from your investment.
Why Some Homeowners Choose Pavers
Pavers aren't for everyone — but they're the right choice for certain situations:
You want the dimensional look of individual stones — Each paver has real depth, real edges, and real texture that stamped concrete can mimic but not fully replicate
Future access matters — Pavers can be pulled up and relaid if you ever need to access utilities underneath
You plan to build in phases — Adding to a paver patio later is straightforward since new pavers can match existing ones
You prefer natural stone — Real bluestone, travertine, or granite pavers have a premium look that concrete can't match
Your HOA or neighborhood standard favors pavers — Some upscale developments strongly prefer pavers for aesthetic consistency
The Big Three Paver Brands
We work with all major paver manufacturers, but three brands dominate the South Jersey market. Each has distinct strengths.
Techo-Bloc
The premium brand. Techo-Bloc is a Canadian manufacturer known for innovative designs, superior color consistency, and a product line that pushes boundaries.
Strengths:
Best color consistency in the industry — their manufacturing process produces remarkably uniform colors batch to batch
Innovative products like Blu 60mm (large format, modern aesthetic) and Para (sleek, linear designs)
Excellent permeable paver options for stormwater management
Premium look and feel — Techo-Bloc pavers are noticeably refined
Popular products:
Blu 60mm Smooth — Large format, clean lines, contemporary. Our top seller for modern patios.
Aberdeen — Classic natural stone look in a concrete paver. Versatile and timeless.
Villagio — Old-world cobblestone aesthetic. Great for traditional homes.
Price range: $20 – $35+ per square foot installed (depending on product line)
Best for: Homeowners who want the highest quality and are willing to pay for it. Very popular in Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, and Voorhees.
Belgard
The reliable standard. Belgard (owned by Oldcastle APG) is one of the largest paver manufacturers in North America. Wide product selection, consistent availability, and competitive pricing.
Strengths:
Enormous product selection — something for every style and budget
Strong availability through local supply yards
Belgard Authorized Contractor program ensures installation quality
Good warranty program
Mid-range pricing with premium options available
Popular products:
Cambridge Cobble — Versatile three-piece system that creates a natural stone look
Mega-Lafitt — Large format with realistic stone texture
Dublin — Tumbled old-world look at an accessible price point
Price range: $18 – $30 per square foot installed
Best for: Homeowners looking for quality and value. Good all-around choice for most budgets.
Cambridge Pavingstones
The local favorite. Cambridge is a Northeast manufacturer with strong distribution in New Jersey. Known for their ArmorTec® surface protection and extensive design options.
Strengths:
ArmorTec® surface treatment resists fading, staining, and wear
Strong local support and availability in South Jersey
Extensive wall system options that pair with their paver lines
Competitive pricing
Good design resources and visualization tools
Popular products:
Ledgestone XL — Large format, modern clean look
RoundTable — Circle kit for fire pit surrounds and focal points
Sherwood Collection — Natural wood plank look in a paver
Price range: $18 – $28 per square foot installed
Best for: Homeowners who want good quality with strong local availability and support. Popular throughout Gloucester and Camden Counties.
Build Your Dream Project
Design your perfect outdoor space step by step. Choose your style, materials, colors, and features.
Patrick Breen Masonry & Concrete — South Jersey since 1983
(856) 223-1100 · Mullica Hill, NJ
Paver Patio Cost Breakdown
Here's what a paver patio actually costs in South Jersey — materials, base prep, labor, and everything else included:
Project Size Economy Pavers Mid-Range (Belgard/Cambridge) Premium (Techo-Bloc) Small (200 sq ft) $4,000 – $5,200 $5,200 – $6,800 $6,800 – $8,500 Medium (400 sq ft) $7,200 – $9,600 $9,600 – $13,200 $13,200 – $16,800 Large (600 sq ft) $10,800 – $14,400 $14,400 – $19,200 $19,200 – $24,000+
What's included:
Excavation and grading
6-inch compacted stone base
1-inch sand setting bed
Paver installation with proper pattern and cutting
Polymeric sand in joints
Edge restraint system
Compaction
Cleanup
Common add-ons:
Paver steps: $300 – $600 per step
Sitting wall: $50 – $80 per linear foot
Fire pit (built-in): $3,000 – $6,000
Border pattern (contrasting paver): $8 – $15 per linear foot
Paver Installation: What to Expect
Base Preparation (The Critical Step)
Just like stamped concrete, the base makes or breaks a paver installation. In South Jersey's clay soils, proper base prep is even more important for pavers because the individual pieces are more susceptible to heaving and shifting than a monolithic concrete slab.
Our standard paver base in Gloucester/Camden County:
Excavate 8-10 inches below finished grade
Geotextile fabric over clay soil
6 inches of compacted crushed stone in lifts
1 inch of coarse sand (ASTM C33), screeded level
Pavers installed on sand bed
Polymeric sand swept into joints
Plate compact the entire surface
Edge restraints secured with spikes
Installation Timeline
Project Days Small patio (200 sq ft) 2-3 days Medium patio (400 sq ft) 3-4 days Large patio with features (600+ sq ft) 4-6 days Driveway (600 sq ft) 4-5 days
Unlike concrete, you can walk on pavers immediately after installation. No cure time needed.
Paver Maintenance Reality Check
This is where we give you the honest truth that paver salespeople sometimes gloss over:
Year 1-3: Looks Perfect
Polymeric sand is holding, joints are tight, colors are vibrant. Low maintenance.
Year 3-5: First Maintenance Cycle
Polymeric sand starts washing out in high-traffic and high-runoff areas
Some weeds appear in weakened joints
Ant activity may undermine sand in joints
Action needed: Re-apply polymeric sand in affected areas ($0.50-$1/sq ft)
Year 5-10: Regular Maintenance Required
More aggressive joint sand loss
Some paver shifting possible, especially at edges
Color fading on economy pavers (less issue with ArmorTec® or premium products)
Action needed: Clean, re-sand, possibly re-compact shifted areas
Year 10-20: Ongoing Attention
Edge restraints may need reinforcement
Individual pavers may need resetting
Full cleaning and joint sand replacement recommended
Advantage: Individual damaged pavers can be replaced without disturbing the whole surface
Honest Annual Maintenance
Blow or sweep debris regularly
Treat weeds in joints promptly (before they root deeply)
Re-apply polymeric sand as needed
Pressure wash annually (careful not to blow out joint sand)
Inspect edge restraints
This is more maintenance than stamped concrete (which just needs resealing every 2-3 years). Not a dealbreaker, but you should know what you're signing up for.
Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete: The Final Comparison
Factor Pavers Stamped Concrete Upfront cost Higher ($18-35/sq ft) Lower ($13-22/sq ft) Maintenance Joint sand, weed control, resetting Reseal every 2-3 years Repairability Replace individual pieces Patch/overlay sections Design flexibility Limited to manufactured shapes Any shape, any curve Dimensional texture Real 3D depth Imprinted texture Longevity 25-30+ years 25-30+ years Best value for most homeowners — ✅ Best premium look ✅ (natural stone) —
We install both. We'll recommend what's genuinely right for your property, your budget, and your lifestyle. Sometimes that's stamped concrete. Sometimes that's pavers. Sometimes it's a combination of both.
Let Us Help You Decide
Not sure which direction to go? That's exactly what our free on-site estimate is for. We'll look at your property, understand your goals and budget, and give you honest options — not a sales pitch for whatever makes us the most money.
Call: (856) 223-1100
Patrick Breen Masonry & Concrete — Mullica Hill, NJ — Installing Pavers & Stamped Concrete Since 1983 — NJ Lic #13VH00144300