When building a patio, consider which type of paver is best for your yard.
Standing in a showroom surrounded by beautiful paver samples, most Twin Cities homeowners feel overwhelmed. The colors are gorgeous, the textures appealing, and the sales materials convincing. But here's what those glossy brochures don't tell you: choosing paver materials for a Minneapolis or St. Paul patio requires understanding how different materials survive Minnesota's brutal climate.
After installing hundreds of patios and hardscapes across the Twin Cities metro over nearly three decades, our team at Minnesota Landscapes has witnessed firsthand how different materials perform through Minnesota's freeze-thaw punishment. We've seen which products maintain their beauty after twenty winters and which begin deteriorating after five.
This comprehensive guide shares that hard-won knowledge, helping you make an informed material selection that will look beautiful and perform flawlessly for decades.
Before comparing specific products, you need to understand what makes material selection so critical in our climate. Minnesota subjects paver patios to conditions that would seem extreme anywhere else in the country.
Our annual temperature swings exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit—from summer highs around 95°F to winter lows of -40°F. Most concerning for paver longevity are the freeze-thaw cycles that occur primarily in late winter and early spring. When temperatures fluctuate above and freezing repeatedly, water absorbed into porous materials expands as it freezes, creating internal pressure that can crack or spall even high-quality pavers.
Frost penetration in Minnesota typically reaches 3-6 feet deep. This is why proper base preparation—something we'll discuss later—matters as much as material selection. Even premium pavers will fail if installed over an inadequately prepared base.
Snow load and ice accumulation place additional stress on paver surfaces. Throughout winter, your patio endures the weight of accumulated snow and the chemical exposure from ice melt products. Materials must resist both mechanical stress and chemical degradation.
Minnesota's clay soil, prevalent throughout Eagan, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, and most Twin Cities suburbs, creates unique drainage challenges. Poor drainage exacerbates freeze-thaw damage because saturated pavers are more vulnerable to cracking when water freezes within them.
This is the environment your paver selection must survive. Let's examine how the three primary material categories perform under these demanding conditions.
Belgard has become synonymous with premium concrete pavers, and for good reason. Their products consistently deliver the combination of durability, aesthetics, and performance that Minnesota installations demand.
Manufacturing Process and Durability
Belgard manufactures their pavers using a wet-cast concrete process that produces exceptionally dense, low-porosity products. This manufacturing method creates pavers with compressive strengths typically exceeding 8,000 PSI—far surpassing the 4,000 PSI minimum required for vehicular applications.
Why does this matter for your Edina or Mendota Heights patio? Higher density means less water absorption, which directly translates to better freeze-thaw resistance. When water cannot penetrate deeply into the paver, it cannot cause the internal expansion that leads to cracking and spalling.
Belgard products undergo rigorous testing including ASTM C936 (freeze-thaw resistance) and ASTM C1319 (abrasion resistance). These aren't just marketing claims—they're independently verified performance standards that ensure the pavers will survive Minnesota conditions.
Popular Belgard Products for Twin Cities Installations
Through our extensive experience installing Belgard products across the Twin Cities, several lines have proven particularly successful:
Belgard Dimensions represents their premium, modern aesthetic. These large-format pavers create a contemporary look with clean lines and minimal joint spacing. We recently used Dimensions on a Woodbury project featuring an expanded backyard patio with integrated grilling station. The larger slab style gave their space an updated, sophisticated appearance while the product's technical specifications ensured long-term performance.
The Dimensions line works beautifully for homeowners wanting to modernize their outdoor space without veering too contemporary. It bridges traditional and modern aesthetics, making it appropriate for a wide range of architectural styles common throughout White Bear Lake, Shoreview, and other established neighborhoods.
Belgard Cambridge Cobble offers a more traditional appearance that complements classic home styles. This product mimics the look of European cobblestone while delivering modern performance characteristics. For properties in areas like Dellwood or older Minneapolis neighborhoods where historic character matters, Cambridge Cobble provides authentic aesthetics with contemporary durability.
Belgard Aqualine Series deserves special mention for Minnesota applications. These permeable pavers address drainage challenges while maintaining full structural integrity. In areas with heavy clay soil or properties where stormwater management is critical, Aqualine products can be game-changing.
Color Options and Long-Term Appearance
Belgard offers extensive color selections, but not all colors perform equally over time. Their color technology uses integral pigmentation throughout the paver depth, ensuring that even as the surface weathers, color remains consistent.
Lighter colors tend to show less weathering and dirt accumulation than darker tones. However, darker colors often provide richer contrast and more dramatic aesthetics. The choice depends on your aesthetic preferences and maintenance willingness.
One consideration often overlooked: color affects heat absorption and comfort. Darker pavers become noticeably hotter in direct summer sun—something to consider if you'll be walking barefoot from your pool or if your patio receives full southern exposure.
Cost Considerations
Belgard products sit in the premium price range for concrete pavers. Expect to invest approximately 20-30% more than basic concrete pavers, but 30-40% less than natural stone. This pricing reflects their superior manufacturing process, extensive testing, and proven long-term performance.
For most Eden Prairie and Edina homeowners, Belgard represents the sweet spot between investment and value. You're paying for products engineered specifically to survive conditions like ours, backed by warranties that demonstrate manufacturer confidence in long-term performance.
Unilock brings European paver technology and aesthetics to the North American market. Their products combine Old World craftsmanship with engineering specifically designed for harsh freeze-thaw environments—making them particularly well-suited for Minnesota installations.
Manufacturing Excellence
Unilock employs a three-layer manufacturing process called EnduraColor that places the most durable, color-rich concrete on the paver surface where it matters most. This technology delivers exceptional fade resistance and wear characteristics.
Their proprietary EasyClean technology creates a protective surface that resists staining from common substances like grease, oil, and food. For homeowners planning outdoor kitchens or grilling stations—increasingly popular in Cottage Grove and Apple Valley projects—this stain resistance provides real-world practical benefits.
Unilock products consistently achieve compressive strengths exceeding 8,000 PSI and water absorption rates below 5%, both critical for freeze-thaw resistance in Minnesota's climate.
Distinctive Unilock Product Lines
Unilock Mattoni exemplifies their ability to blend traditional aesthetics with modern performance. We recently used Mattoni on a Minneapolis front walkway project where the homeowner wanted an elevated, high-quality product with classic herringbone patterning. The result was a modernized, traditional appearance that enhanced their property's historic character while delivering contemporary durability.
Mattoni works particularly well in established neighborhoods throughout St. Paul and inner-ring suburbs where architectural context matters. The product looks like it could be original to a 1920s home while performing like a modern engineered paver.
Unilock Umbriano represents their premium, contemporary line. These large-format pavers create stunning modern outdoor spaces with their refined appearance and innovative surface texture. The integrated color and texture continue through the full paver depth, ensuring long-term appearance even in high-traffic areas.
Unilock Richcliff offers a more natural, rustic appearance that works beautifully in naturalized settings. For properties in wooded areas or for homeowners who want their exterior design to blend with natural surroundings, Richcliff provides the aesthetics of natural stone with the performance predictability of engineered concrete.
Pattern and Layout Flexibility
Unilock products excel in pattern versatility. Their dimensional precision allows for intricate herringbone, basketweave, or custom patterns that remain crisp and aligned even after years of freeze-thaw cycling.
This precision matters more than many homeowners realize. When pavers don't maintain consistent dimensions through manufacturing, patterns can shift and distort over time as freeze-thaw cycles affect different areas of your patio. Unilock's manufacturing tolerances prevent this issue.
Investment Level
Unilock pricing compares closely to Belgard—both occupy the premium concrete paver segment. Specific product lines vary in cost, but expect investment levels similar to comparable Belgard products.
The choice between Belgard and Unilock often comes down to aesthetic preference and specific product characteristics rather than price. Both deliver the quality and performance Minnesota installations require.
Natural stone—limestone, travertine, bluestone, sandstone, and granite—offers unmatched natural beauty and authenticity. Each stone is unique, creating truly one-of-a-kind outdoor spaces. However, natural stone performance in Minnesota's climate varies dramatically based on stone type and proper installation.
Stone Types and Minnesota Suitability
Not all natural stones perform equally in our climate. Understanding these differences is critical to making an informed selection.
Bluestone represents one of the most Minnesota-appropriate natural stone choices. This dense, durable stone exhibits excellent freeze-thaw resistance when properly sealed. Its natural cleft surface provides good traction even when wet, and its blue-gray coloring complements most architectural styles throughout the Twin Cities.
Bluestone works particularly well for Afton and Dellwood properties where natural aesthetics blend with wooded, waterfront settings. The stone feels appropriate to Minnesota's landscape in a way that obviously manufactured products cannot match.
Granite offers exceptional durability and virtually limitless lifespan when properly installed. Its extremely low porosity makes it highly resistant to freeze-thaw damage. However, smooth granite becomes slippery when wet, so thermal or flamed finishes are essential for patio applications.
Granite's hardness also means it's more difficult to cut and install, potentially increasing labor costs. For projects requiring custom shapes or curves, this can significantly impact budget.
Limestone and Travertine present more challenges for Minnesota installations. Both stones are more porous than bluestone or granite, making them more susceptible to freeze-thaw damage. They require diligent sealing and more frequent maintenance.
We've installed beautiful limestone patios that have performed well for decades—but only with proper sealing schedules and realistic homeowner expectations about maintenance. For homeowners wanting natural stone aesthetics without intensive maintenance, bluestone or granite typically prove more satisfying.
Sandstone offers warm colors and interesting textures but varies widely in density and durability. Some sandstones perform adequately in Minnesota; others deteriorate rapidly. If considering sandstone, insist on stones specifically rated for severe freeze-thaw environments.
The Critical Role of Sealing
Natural stone in Minnesota requires professional sealing—it's not optional. High-quality penetrating sealers reduce water absorption dramatically, protecting against freeze-thaw damage, staining, and weathering.
Sealing frequency depends on stone type, traffic levels, and exposure. Most natural stone patios need resealing every 2-3 years to maintain optimal protection. This represents an ongoing maintenance commitment and cost that manufactured pavers don't require.
Aesthetic Considerations
Natural stone's primary advantage is authenticity. No manufactured product truly replicates the depth, variation, and character of natural stone. For high-end Edina or Mendota Heights properties where material authenticity matters, natural stone delivers unmatched visual impact.
The variation within natural stone can also be a disadvantage if you prefer consistency. Individual stones vary in color, veining, and character. While this creates visual interest, it makes achieving uniform appearance impossible—by design.
Investment Requirements
Natural stone represents the highest material investment, typically costing 50-100% more than premium concrete pavers like Belgard or Unilock. Material costs vary significantly based on stone type, origin, thickness, and finish.
Installation costs also run higher because natural stone requires more skilled labor, careful shimming to maintain level surfaces, and often longer installation times. A natural stone patio that might cost $40,000 in materials and installation could potentially be replicated aesthetically with Belgard or Unilock products for $22,000-26,000.
For the right property and right homeowner, that premium is worthwhile. Natural stone patios become heirloom features that enhance property value and provide authentic luxury. But the investment must align with your budget realities and maintenance willingness.
Material selection means nothing without proper installation. This is where Minnesota Landscapes' ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute) certification through Rick Morrison, our Operations Manager, becomes critical to your project's long-term success.
ICPI certification represents the gold standard for paver installation. Certified installers understand the technical requirements for base preparation, proper compaction, edge restraint systems, and drainage integration—all factors that determine whether your patio will still look perfect in twenty years or start settling and cracking within five.
Base Preparation For Minnesota Soil
The Twin Cities' notorious clay soil creates unique challenges that proper base preparation must address. Clay expands when wet and contracts when dry, creating movement that can destabilize improperly prepared paver installations.
Our ICPI-certified installation process for Minnesota conditions includes excavation to proper depth (typically 12-14 inches for patios, deeper for driveways), installation of geotextile fabric to prevent soil migration into the base, 6-8 inches of compacted crushed limestone base material, proper compaction in lifts not exceeding 4 inches, 1 inch of bedding sand leveled precisely, and pavers installed with appropriate joint spacing.
Each step matters. Shortcuts in base preparation—especially inadequate depth or insufficient compaction—lead directly to the settling, cracking, and joint separation that plague poorly installed patios throughout the Twin Cities.
Drainage Integration
Effective drainage protects your investment regardless of material choice. Minnesota's clay soil doesn't drain naturally, so water must be actively moved away from your patio through proper grading and drainage systems.
Our installations slope away from structures at minimum 2% grade, integrate with underground drainage systems where needed, and include edge drains in areas where water accumulation is likely. Eagan and Rosemount properties often require particularly careful drainage planning due to prevalent clay soils and often flat topography.
Edge Restraint Systems
Professional edge restraint prevents horizontal paver creep that can destroy even the most beautiful patio. We use commercial-grade plastic edge restraints secured with 10-inch spikes every 12-18 inches, creating a border system that maintains paver position through decades of freeze-thaw cycling.
This is another area where DIY installations and budget contractors often fail. Inadequate edge restraint allows pavers to gradually shift and separate, creating widening joints and an increasingly unstable surface.
With all this information, how do you actually choose? Consider these factors systematically:
Aesthetic Priority
If authenticity and natural beauty are paramount, natural stone is your answer—specifically bluestone or granite for Minnesota installations. Accept the higher investment and maintenance requirements as the price of authenticity.
If you want contemporary, updated aesthetics with proven performance, Belgard Dimensions or Unilock Umbriano deliver modern visual impact with engineering designed for our climate.
For traditional or transitional aesthetics that complement established neighborhoods, Belgard Cambridge Cobble or Unilock Mattoni provide classic appearance with modern durability.
Budget Reality
Natural stone: Highest investment, highest maintenance
Premium concrete pavers (Belgard/Unilock): Mid-to-upper investment, minimal maintenance
Standard concrete pavers: Lower investment, but significantly shorter lifespan in Minnesota
Maintenance Willingness
Natural stone requires regular sealing (every 2-3 years) and more intensive cleaning. Premium concrete pavers need only occasional cleaning—no sealing required.
If you want a "install and forget" patio that will look great with minimal attention for decades, premium concrete pavers are your choice.
Specific Site Conditions
Properties with drainage challenges benefit from permeable paver options like Belgard Aqualine. Heavy shade areas might steer you toward lighter colors that don't show moisture and algae as readily. High-traffic areas benefit from the superior abrasion resistance of granite or premium concrete pavers.
Long-Term Performance
All three material categories can deliver 30+ year lifespans when properly installed and maintained. The difference lies in maintenance requirements and appearance evolution over time.
Premium concrete pavers maintain consistent appearance with virtually no maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. Natural stone develops a patina that some find appealing but requires regular sealing to prevent deterioration.
Theory matters, but real-world experience tells the complete story. After nearly three decades installing patios across every Twin Cities community, here's what we've observed:
Belgard and Unilock products consistently deliver their promised performance when installed properly. Patios we built 20+ years ago still look excellent, with no cracking, spalling, or significant fading. The products perform exactly as engineered.
Natural stone performance varies dramatically based on stone type and maintenance consistency. We've seen beautifully maintained bluestone patios that look better at 25 years than the day they were installed. We've also seen limestone patios deteriorate significantly within 10 years when homeowners didn't maintain sealing schedules.
Budget concrete pavers rarely survive more than 10-15 years in Minnesota without significant deterioration. The cost savings prove illusory when replacement becomes necessary.
Base preparation quality affects all materials equally. We've never seen a properly prepared base fail, regardless of paver material. We've seen countless installations fail due to inadequate base preparation—again, regardless of paver material. This reinforces that installation quality matters as much as material selection.
Material selection shouldn't happen in isolation. When you work with Patrick Erkens or Kelly Bremer, our professional designers, they guide you through material choices while considering your overall exterior design vision.
Patrick might suggest a specific Belgard product because its color palette perfectly complements your home's brick, or because its format creates better visual proportions for your patio size. Kelly might recommend particular materials based on how they'll integrate with your landscaping plan and the plants she's selecting.
This holistic design approach ensures your material selection serves your overall vision rather than being made in isolation. It's why our design-first philosophy delivers results that feel cohesive and intentional rather than cobbled together from disconnected decisions.
Your patio doesn't exist in isolation. As you plan your material selection for spring installation, consider how it integrates with other elements of your outdoor space.
Do you need tree removal services to open your yard before installation? Should strategic plantings frame your new patio? Would professional landscape lighting extend your outdoor enjoyment into evening hours?
Our design-build model addresses all these elements simultaneously, ensuring everything works together aesthetically and functionally.
Choosing the right paver material for your Minnesota patio requires expert guidance tailored to your specific property, aesthetic preferences, and budget reality. Contact Minnesota Landscapes at 651-457-0000 or info@minnesotalandscapes.com to schedule your complimentary design consultation.
Our design team serves homeowners throughout the Twin Cities metro, including Minneapol, St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Edina, Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Eagan, Apple Valley, Mendota Heights, Cottage Grove, Shoreview, Dellwood, Afton, Mendota, and Rosemount.
Visit our Projects Gallery to see examples of different paver materials in completed installations, or explore our Paver and Patio Services to learn more about our installation process.
The right material choice, properly installed, will deliver decades of beauty and performance. Let's create something exceptional for your outdoor space.
