Interlock vs. concrete: which patio is right for your property?
Both make a great patio — but they age very differently in Southern Ontario's freeze-thaw climate. Here's how to choose.
When homeowners ask us about a new patio or walkway, the first question is usually interlock or poured concrete. Both can look fantastic. The real difference shows up over years of freeze-thaw cycles.
Freeze-thaw and cracking
Poured concrete is a single rigid slab, so when the ground shifts it tends to crack — and a crack is permanent. Interlocking pavers are individual units over a flexible compacted base, so they move with the ground instead of fighting it.
Repairs
If a paver is ever stained or damaged, it can be lifted and replaced individually. Repairing concrete usually means patching (which is visible) or replacing a whole section.
The bottom line
Concrete can be the right call for some budgets and looks, but for most patios and walkways in our area we lean toward interlock for its durability and repairability. Whichever you choose, the base preparation underneath is what determines how it holds up — which is where most of our attention goes.
