Paver brand comparison — six brands, honestly ranked for Arizona.
This is the working comparison across every paver brand we regularly install in the Valley. Each brand gets a dedicated review page (linked below). Here's the head-to-head at a glance.
Belgard (Oldcastle / CRH)
- Verdict: Install. Default for premium builds.
- Best at: Color retention in 115°F sun, tightest tolerances, premium finish (Mega-Arbel, Dimensions, Old World Paver).
- Weak at: Highest material cost, 4–6 week lead times on premium lines.
- Installed cost: $18–$28/sq ft premium, $14–$22 standard.
Pavestone (Quikrete)
- Verdict: Install (case-by-case). Excellent value-tier.
- Best at: Big-box + contractor-yard availability, Holland Stone / Plaza Stone workhorses.
- Weak at: Premium finish quality doesn't match Belgard.
- Installed cost: $12–$18/sq ft.
Acker-Stone
- Verdict: Install (case-by-case). Regional Southwest.
- Best at: Desert-tone color palette, Mission and Centurion series on driveways.
- Weak at: Thinner East Valley distribution, limited premium texture.
- Installed cost: $14–$20/sq ft.
Phoenix Paver Manufacturing
- Verdict: Install (case-by-case). Local advantage on large projects.
- Best at: Large-project pricing (10–15% below national), no freight delays, Sonoran color palette.
- Weak at: Fewer premium texture and large-format options.
- Installed cost: $12–$18/sq ft.
AZ Best Block
- Verdict: Install (case-by-case). Bundle-with-wall play.
- Best at: Matched color across wall block, cap, and pavers from one plant.
- Weak at: Premium finish quality vs Belgard.
- Installed cost: $12–$16/sq ft.
Artistic Paver Mfg
- Verdict: Install (pool-specific). Premium coping and pool deck.
- Best at: Factory-cast bullnose coping, cooler surface (marble + shell aggregate), Mediterranean palette.
- Weak at: Overkill for driveways and non-pool patios.
- Installed cost: $18–$28/sq ft deck, $28–$42/linear ft coping.
The install spec — same for every brand
- 2–3" ABC base for patios and walkways, 4–6" ABC for driveways.
- 1" clean sand bed, screeded and left undisturbed.
- Polymeric joint sand — always, every install.
- NEVER 1/4-minus, NEVER regular sand.
- 3-year AE workmanship warranty regardless of paver brand.
Common questions.
Ready to compare paver brands on your actual project?
AE will price all six brands head-to-head for your job, mock up a paver panel on-site, and give you the honest recommendation — one accountable team.
Start My Project PlanWhy this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."
Individual brand reviews
Deep dive on the three national brands.
Local paver brand review.
Concrete masonry + paver bundle.
Premium pool coping.
Joint stability that lasts decades.
The new-school paver base spec.
More paver brand questions?
Head-to-head pricing, warranty specifics, and on-site panel mock-ups — in the Hardscape section of the Homeowner FAQ.