Interlocking vs. Natural Stone Patios: Which Is Right for Your London Home?

January 20, 2026 · 7 min read

Building a patio is one of the best investments you can make in your London, Ontario home — it extends your living space, boosts your property value, and gives you a place to enjoy Southwestern Ontario's warm summers. But the first major decision is materials: interlocking concrete pavers or natural stone? Both are excellent choices, and both perform well in London's climate when installed properly. The right pick depends on your budget, aesthetic preference, and how you plan to use the space. Here's an honest, detailed comparison from our hardscaping team to help you decide.

Cost Comparison

Budget is usually the first question, so let's address it directly. Prices in the London, Ontario market (as of 2026, materials and professional installation included):

• Interlocking pavers: $30–$55 per square foot installed, depending on the paver style and pattern complexity. Standard rectangular pavers are at the low end; premium textured or large-format slabs are at the high end
• Natural stone (flagstone): $45–$80+ per square foot installed. Natural flagstone (Muskoka, Eramosa, or Owen Sound limestone) costs more due to material weight, irregular shapes requiring more cutting, and slower installation
• Natural stone (cut/sawn): $50–$90+ per square foot. Precision-cut natural stone like granite or limestone pavers offers a cleaner look but at a premium price

For a typical 200-square-foot London patio, you're looking at roughly $6,000–$11,000 for interlocking versus $9,000–$16,000+ for natural stone. The base preparation (excavation, gravel, compaction) is similar for both, so the difference is almost entirely in the surface material and the labour to install it.

Durability in London's Freeze-Thaw Climate

London typically experiences 40–60 freeze-thaw cycles per winter — temperature swings above and below 0°C that cause water in the ground to expand and contract. This is the most destructive force your patio faces, and it's where material choice and installation quality matter enormously.

Interlocking Pavers

• Engineered for freeze-thaw: Modern concrete pavers are manufactured with low water absorption rates (typically under 5%), meaning less water gets in to freeze and cause cracking
• Flexible system: The joints between pavers allow the surface to flex slightly with frost heave rather than cracking. Individual pavers that shift can be releveled
• Compressive strength: Quality pavers exceed 8,000 PSI — stronger than a poured concrete slab
• Lifespan: 25–30+ years with proper base preparation and maintenance

Natural Stone

• Varies by stone type: Dense stones like granite are virtually immune to freeze-thaw damage. Softer sedimentary stones (some limestones, sandstones) can spall or flake over time if they absorb water before freezing
• Ontario limestones perform well: Locally sourced limestones like Eramosa or Owen Sound are naturally adapted to our climate and have proven track records in the region
• Flagstone on a proper base: When set on compacted gravel with polymeric sand joints, flagstone handles frost movement well
• Lifespan: 30–50+ years for quality stone, potentially generations for granite

Maintenance Requirements

No patio is truly maintenance-free, but the level of upkeep differs significantly between the two materials.

Interlocking Pavers

• Polymeric sand reapplication: The sand between joints washes out over time, especially in heavy rain. Plan to reapply every 3–5 years ($300–$500 for a typical patio)
• Weed and ant control: Weeds can sprout in joints as sand degrades. Polymeric sand helps prevent this, but no solution is permanent
• Sealing (optional): A paver sealer enhances colour, protects against staining, and hardens joint sand. Reapply every 2–3 years if you choose to seal
• Efflorescence: White mineral deposits can appear on new pavers during the first year or two. It's cosmetic and fades naturally or can be cleaned with a mild acid wash
• Stain resistance: Oil, rust, and wine stains can be harder to remove from concrete pavers than from stone. Act quickly and use appropriate cleaners

Natural Stone

• Generally lower maintenance: Natural stone doesn't suffer from efflorescence and ages gracefully with a desirable patina
• Joint maintenance still required: Whether you use polymeric sand or stone dust between joints, periodic reapplication is needed
• Moss and lichen: Natural stone in shaded areas can develop moss growth. Some homeowners love this look; others prefer to pressure-wash annually
• Sealing: Generally not recommended for most Ontario limestones and granites. Some porous sandstones benefit from a breathable sealer
• Individual stone replacement: A cracked flagstone is harder (and more expensive) to replace than a single paver, since matching natural stone colour and thickness exactly can be challenging

Aesthetic Options

This is where personal taste drives the decision, and there's no wrong answer.

Interlocking Pavers

Modern paver manufacturers offer an enormous range of colours, textures, shapes, and sizes. You can achieve looks ranging from traditional brick-like patterns (herringbone, basket weave) to contemporary large-format slabs that mimic natural stone. Colour consistency is a strength — every paver matches. The trade-off is that pavers can look manufactured, especially lower-end products. Premium lines like Unilock's Beacon Hill Flagstone or Techo-Bloc's Blu Grande close this gap with remarkably natural textures.

Natural Stone

Nothing replicates the authentic look and feel of real stone. Each piece has unique colour variation, veining, and texture. Natural stone patios tend to feel more organic and timeless — like they belong to the landscape rather than sitting on top of it. The trade-off is less colour uniformity (which is part of the charm) and a more rustic overall appearance. For formal, modern designs with tight joints and clean lines, precision-cut natural stone pavers deliver a premium architectural look that's hard to beat.

Installation Process

Both patio types require the same critical base preparation, which is where most failures originate — regardless of the surface material.

1. Excavation: Remove 12–14 inches of soil to accommodate the base layers. Proper depth is essential for London's clay soils, which heave significantly in winter
2. Gravel base: 8–10 inches of compacted Granular A limestone, installed in lifts and compacted with a plate tamper. This is the foundation that prevents settling and heaving
3. Bedding layer: 1 inch of coarse concrete sand, screeded flat
4. Surface installation: Pavers are placed in pattern and cut to fit. Flagstone requires more fitting and cutting due to irregular shapes — this is where natural stone takes significantly more labour time
5. Joint filling and compaction: Polymeric sand swept into joints and the surface compacted with a plate tamper (using a rubber pad for natural stone to prevent scratching)
6. Edge restraint: Aluminum or plastic edge restraints spiked into the base keep the perimeter from shifting. Without proper restraint, any patio will spread over time

Repair Considerations

Life happens — tree roots shift soil, heavy objects get dropped, and settling occurs. How easy is it to fix?

• Interlocking pavers: Individual pavers can be pulled up, the base releveled, and the pavers reset. Replacement pavers are readily available. This is one of interlocking's biggest advantages — repairs are straightforward and nearly invisible
• Natural stone: Releveling is possible but more labour-intensive due to stone weight and irregular shapes. Replacing a broken flagstone means finding a piece with similar colour, thickness, and texture — which isn't always possible. For precision-cut stone, replacements are easier to source

Impact on Property Value

Both patio types add value to your London home. According to real estate industry data, outdoor living spaces consistently rank among the top ROI home improvements. A well-built patio typically returns 60–80% of its cost at resale, while also making your home sell faster.

Natural stone generally carries a higher perceived value among buyers due to its premium look and longer lifespan. However, a beautifully designed interlocking paver patio with quality materials makes an equally strong impression. The quality of the design and installation matters more than the material itself.

Which Is Better for Your Project?

Here's our recommendation based on common London homeowner scenarios:

• Best value for most budgets: Interlocking pavers. You get excellent durability, huge design flexibility, and easy repairs at a lower price point
• Premium look on a forever home: Natural stone. If you plan to stay in your London home long-term and want a patio that ages beautifully for generations, natural stone is worth the investment
• High-traffic entertaining areas: Interlocking pavers. Uniform surfaces are safer for furniture and foot traffic, and repairs are simpler
• Garden patios and cottage-style landscapes: Natural flagstone. The organic shapes and natural colour variations complement gardens beautifully, especially with creeping thyme or moss planted between joints
• Pool surrounds: Interlocking pavers or cut natural stone. Both work, but pavers offer better slip resistance options and are easier to relevel around pool decks that may settle
• Front walkways and steps: Natural stone edges out pavers for curb appeal, especially with contrasting stone treads and risers

The Bottom Line

There's no universally "better" material — only the one that's right for your specific project, budget, and taste. Both interlocking pavers and natural stone perform exceptionally well in London's climate when installed on a proper base by experienced hardscaping professionals. The most important factor isn't the surface material — it's the quality of the base preparation underneath it. A beautiful patio on a poor base will fail regardless of what's on top.