Interlocking Pavers in Newmarket — Driveways, Walkways, Patios

OCM Excavation & Construction installs interlocking pavers across Newmarket — driveways in Glenway, walkways and front steps in Stonehaven, and backyard patios in Summerhill and Woodland Hill. We dig the base, compact in lifts, lay the units, and lock everything in with polymeric sand so it holds through York Region winters. Call 416-317-3090 for a free on-site quote, or request one through our quote form.

Why interlocking pavers work in Newmarket

Newmarket sees deep frost cycles every winter. A poured slab cracks at the weakest point; an interlocking system flexes with the ground and any single unit can be lifted and reset. That matters in a town where freeze-thaw runs from late November through March, and where mature canopy in Historic Downtown and Glenway means roots are constantly nudging the surface.

Pavers also let us match streetscape character. Heritage blocks near Main Street and Water Street suit a tumbled, weathered look. Newer builds in Stonehaven and Woodland Hill carry the large-format, smooth slab styles better. We bring physical samples on the quote visit so you can hold them against your brick and trim before you commit.

Brands and materials we install

We install the three brands most homeowners ask for in Newmarket: Unilock, Permacon, and Techo-Bloc. All three carry strong freeze-thaw warranties and full lines from driveway-rated units to thinner patio slabs. Common picks we see in Newmarket:

Driveways — Unilock Brussels Block, Techo-Bloc Blu 60, Permacon Melville. Rated for vehicle loads on a proper base.
Walkways and front entries — Unilock Beacon Hill, Techo-Bloc Industria, Permacon Lamina.
Patios — large-format slabs like Techo-Bloc Aberdeen, Unilock Umbriano, Permacon Vela.
Borders and accents — soldier courses, contrasting bands, integrated step treads.

If you want to compare paver against poured concrete for the same driveway, our concrete driveway Newmarket page walks through the trade-offs side by side.

Our install process

The reason paver jobs fail in Newmarket isn’t the brick — it’s the base. We build for freeze-thaw, not just for the first summer.

Excavation — strip topsoil and clay down to undisturbed sub-grade. Driveways typically run 12-14 inches deep, patios 8-10 inches.
Geotextile fabric — laid over sub-grade to keep base aggregate from migrating into clay. Standard on every Newmarket install.
Compacted base — 8-12 inches of 3/4″ crushed Granular A, placed in 2-3 inch lifts and plate-compacted between each lift. Driveways get the full 12 inches.
Bedding course — 1 inch of clean concrete sand, screeded flat.
Laying — pavers set tight to the pattern you picked, cut at edges with a wet saw.
Edge restraint — concrete or PVC edging spiked into the base so the field can’t spread.
Polymeric sand — swept into joints, activated with water. Locks the field and resists ants and weeds.

Driveway widening and curb cuts

A lot of Newmarket driveway projects are widening jobs — adding a third parking spot, or opening a single-wide driveway to a double. If you’re widening past the existing curb cut, the Town of Newmarket typically requires a curb-cut and driveway permit through Engineering Services before any work touches the boulevard. We’ll flag that on the quote visit and coordinate the application so the new apron lines up cleanly with your paver field.

If your widening removes a regulated boulevard or front-yard tree (anything over 20 cm DBH on private property), a tree permit applies under Newmarket’s Private Tree Protection By-law. We work around protected roots whenever the design allows.

Typical project ranges

Every Newmarket lot is different — base depth, access, demolition of existing asphalt or concrete, and brand chosen all move the price. Quotes are free and itemized. We won’t quote a job sight-unseen and we won’t pad with line items you don’t need.

What we will tell you on the visit: how many days the job runs, how many tandem loads of base go in, what the cut-list looks like at the borders, and whether your existing surface can be partially salvaged. Call 416-317-3090 to book.

Why Newmarket homeowners pick OCM

We’re an excavation contractor first — base prep is the part of paver work most landscapers under-build.
Detailed written quotes. No verbal-only handshakes that drift later.
We service the full GTA — see our service areas page for the full list.
Local crews. We’ve worked Glenway, Stonehaven, Summerhill, Woodland Hill, and the Davis Drive corridor.
Direct line to the owner during the job — not a call centre.

FAQ — Interlocking pavers in Newmarket

How deep does the base need to be for a Newmarket driveway?

For a vehicle-rated paver driveway in Newmarket we build a compacted base of 8-12 inches of Granular A, with the full 12 inches used wherever clay sub-grade or freeze-thaw exposure is heavy. Base goes down in 2-3 inch lifts with plate compaction between each lift. Anything shallower invites rutting and settlement after the first winter.

Do I need a permit to widen my driveway in Newmarket?

If the widening crosses or alters the existing curb, the Town of Newmarket typically requires a curb-cut and driveway permit through Engineering Services. Zoning sets maximum driveway width based on lot frontage. We confirm both with the Town before we dig and pull the application on your behalf when needed.

How long does an interlocking driveway install take?

A standard Newmarket double-car driveway runs 4-7 working days from excavation to polymeric sand activation, weather permitting. Larger jobs that include a walkway, front steps, and a curb-cut application can stretch to 2-3 weeks. We give you a day-by-day plan on the quote so you know which days the driveway is unusable.

Which brand should I choose — Unilock, Permacon, or Techo-Bloc?

All three are durable and warrantied for freeze-thaw. The choice comes down to colour, texture, and unit size matching your home. Unilock has the deepest catalogue of heritage tumbled looks; Techo-Bloc leads on large-format modern slabs; Permacon sits in between with strong driveway-rated lines. We bring samples to your Newmarket property so you can compare against your brick.

How long do interlocking pavers last?

With a properly built base and edge restraint, an interlocking driveway in Newmarket should hold its form for 25-30 years or longer. Polymeric sand typically gets a top-up around the 7-10 year mark. Individual units that settle or get stained can be pulled and replaced without disturbing the rest of the field — that’s the core advantage over poured concrete.

Can you repair an existing paver driveway?

Yes. We re-lay sunken sections, replace cracked or stained units, re-sand joints with fresh polymeric, and rebuild failed edge restraint. If the base was originally under-built, we’ll be straight with you about whether a spot repair makes sense or whether a section needs to come out and be redone properly.

Get a free Newmarket paver quote

Call OCM Excavation & Construction at 416-317-3090 for a free, itemized interlocking paver quote anywhere in Newmarket — driveways, walkways, patios, steps, or repairs. You can also book through our online quote form and we’ll be in touch the same day.