Once you've decided a paver patio is the right surface for your yard — and if you're still weighing surfaces, our paver vs. concrete guide covers that — the next choice is what the pavers are actually made of. In Central Ohio the real decision is manufactured concrete pavers versus natural stone, and the two age and price very differently in our freeze-thaw climate.
The quick answer
For most Sunbury and Delaware County backyards, a quality concrete paver from Unilock, Belgard, or Oberfields is the smart buy: consistent thickness, high strength, huge color and pattern range, and easy single-unit repairs. Choose natural stone when a truly unique, high-end look is the priority and the budget has room — just pick a dense, low-absorption stone so it survives Ohio winters.
Concrete pavers — the three brands you'll see here
- Unilock — a premium manufacturer known for its stronger surface layer on many lines and a wide range of tumbled, textured, and large-format looks. Often the top tier for durability and design.
- Belgard — a broad, popular catalog covering everything from budget-friendly holland-style pavers to high-end tumbled stone looks, widely stocked across Central Ohio.
- Oberfields — an Ohio-based manufacturer (Delaware County roots), so its pavers are made for and sold throughout this market, with solid value and good local availability.
All three make dense, colored-through, freeze-thaw-rated units. The differences come down to specific line, surface texture, color palette, and price — not a question of one brand "working" in Ohio and another not.
Natural stone
Natural stone — flagstone, bluestone, granite, travertine — gives a look no manufactured product fully matches. The trade-offs in our climate: stone varies in thickness, so it takes more labor to set level; porous, softer stones can absorb water and spall after repeated freeze-thaw; and material cost is higher. Choose a thicker, low-absorption stone and it can last decades here — but expect to pay for both the material and the extra install time.
Side by side for Ohio
| Factor | Concrete pavers | Natural stone |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-thaw durability | Excellent — engineered, uniform strength | Good if dense/low-absorption; poor if soft/porous |
| Consistency | Uniform thickness & size | Varies — more labor to set level |
| Color / look | Colored-through, huge pattern range | One-of-a-kind natural variation |
| Repairs | Reset a single matching unit | Harder to match a replacement piece |
| Relative cost* | $$ — best value | $$$ — premium material + labor |
What it costs (typical Central Ohio ranges)
The figures below are general market ranges for Central Ohio — a planning starting point, not a quote. Installed price depends on the paver line, patio size, base prep, access, and pattern:
- Standard concrete pavers (Holland, basic tumbled): roughly $18–$28/sq ft installed.
- Premium / large-format concrete pavers (top Unilock & Belgard lines): roughly $26–$40/sq ft installed.
- Natural stone (flagstone, bluestone): roughly $30–$55/sq ft installed, depending on the stone.
For a fuller breakdown of what drives a patio's total, see how much a paver patio costs in Sunbury.
Why base prep beats material choice
Whichever surface you pick, the patio only lasts if what's under it is right. Ohio's freeze-thaw cycle lifts and settles anything set on a thin or poorly-drained base. We build on a deep, compacted, free-draining aggregate base with proper edge restraint and polymeric jointing sand — that's what keeps a paver patio flat and tight for decades here, and it matters more than the logo on the paver.
We build to that spec across the Sunbury area and northern Delaware County — from paver patios in Powell to the new-construction backyards we finish on deck and patio builds in Johnstown along the Intel corridor.
Not sure which paver line or stone fits your yard and budget? We install Unilock, Belgard, and Oberfields pavers plus natural stone, and we'll bring samples to your Sunbury or Delaware County home. See our paver patio page or request a free written estimate.