Techo-Bloc vs Cambridge

Overall Techo-Bloc vs. Cambridge Comparison

Cambridge products are well known in our industry so our team is asked regularly how the two brands stack up against each other. Cambridge currently offers products in all of the same categories as Techo-Bloc (except one); but like many of our other competitors, we feel we win on quality. For instance, Cambridge has 5-10% unusable product per pallet due to their packing’s compressive strength. This results in a large amount of waste, the cost of which is often underestimated in the project’s budget and can really hurt your bottom line.  

At Techo-Bloc, we are meticulous in our packaging to ensure our products arrive pristine to your job site resulting in much less waste and saving you time and money.

With our painstaking attention to detail, Techo-Bloc’s hardscaping products are beautiful on the surface and long-lasting to their core. With a wide variety of styles and colors for every hardscaping category, we have the exact look you need for your project.

  • All of our products are made from precast concrete; while this is common, Techo-Bloc uses advanced technology and is always improving our processes in order to deliver a higher density and higher strength product compared to others in the industry. 

  • We use a finer aggregate selection on the surface of our products, so aesthetically, our products wear and weather more gracefully over time. This means ten years from now, Techo-Bloc products will look just as beautiful as they did when first installed.

  • Techo-Bloc’s colors are very natural hues, displaying blends of shades and tones you would find normally in nature. Cambridge’s products, however, can be very loud in color and because their color distribution process is less mixed, the result can be harsh, artificial looking products.

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Pavers & Slabs

Techo-Bloc pavers are engineered to handle the freeze/thaw that occurs in the harshest of climates. 

  • We use finer aggregates in our mix designs so there’s more cement to bind the smaller particles together.

  • This results in a product that contains fewer potential voids and, therefore, has a lower absorption rate. 

  • Lower absorption rates translate into a more durable product that resists freeze-thaw and de-icing salts better. 

  • Using finer aggregates also requires an increased percentage of pigment used in the mix. More particles mean more color to coat every grain of sand and stone and results in a richer and more vibrant color that lasts.

When it comes to styles, both companies offer a large assortment, with Cambridge offering 41 styles of pavers and slabs while we offer 48, so you’re sure to find the right look for your project. 

Techo bloc 2 Pavers
Techo bloc 2 Pavers

Pavers & Slabs

Techo-Bloc pavers are engineered to handle the freeze/thaw that occurs in the harshest of climates. 

  • We use finer aggregates in our mix designs so there’s more cement to bind the smaller particles together.

  • This results in a product that contains fewer potential voids and, therefore, has a lower absorption rate. 

  • Lower absorption rates translate into a more durable product that resists freeze-thaw and de-icing salts better. 

  • Using finer aggregates also requires an increased percentage of pigment used in the mix. More particles mean more color to coat every grain of sand and stone and results in a richer and more vibrant color that lasts.

When it comes to styles, both companies offer a large assortment, with Cambridge offering 41 styles of pavers and slabs while we offer 48, so you’re sure to find the right look for your project. 

VIEW ALL TECHO-BLOC PAVERS

Cambridge was one of the first manufacturers to come out with a face mix product line, called AmorTec. This uses two compression processes in order to give the product a nicer look. However, Techo-Bloc's patented and proprietary HD2 technology, launched in 2017, uses state-of-the-art technology and equipment combined with a concrete mix design comprised of some of earth's hardest minerals and higher cement ratios. It results in a better-looking paver and slab without compromising integrity or quality. 

Cambridge also offers a natural stone line of pavers and slabs. However, you risk cracking or flaking, depending on where the material was quarried, without the security of a warranty. In their installation guide for Travertine, it says: “To eliminate potential damage due to ice collecting in the holes, openings in the surface are filled by many contractors in the Northeast. We recommend you speak with experienced contractors as to the various methods.”

This is one of the biggest benefits of man-made products. Techo-Bloc's Travertina Raw collection has been designed and engineered to withstand intense temperature swings, snow and ice. The surface holes on our product that give its distinctive travertine texture and appearance are engineered in such a way as to allow water to freeze in them and expand upward without damaging the concrete.

So while Techo-Bloc does not offer natural stone, we do offer our Wetcast product line that comes with our Stonedge Warranty, a lifetime warranty that provides peace of mind for you and your client. Wetcast can also offer significantly better tolerances than natural stone, due to quality controls during creation.

Permeable Pavers

Techo-Bloc’s permeable pavements are designed to allow for the proper percolation of surface water into the ground. This: 

  • Reduces the risk and severity of flooding

  • Eliminates puddles

  • Speeds up the melting process of snow

  • Reduces winter ice hazards

  • Increases cost-savings on de-icing salt and snow removal 


We wanted to ensure we had a wide variety of paver options that were eco-conscious and cost-effective for residential and commercial stormwater management, so we offer 18 different styles. Plus all of our styles can be used interchangeably with permeable pavers or interlocking applications. We have permeable options in 60, 65, 70, 80 and 100mm (2.36, 2.56, 2.76, 3.15 and 3.94 in). 

 

Cambridge offers 5 permeable options, all of which are 80mm (3.15 in), which means they can’t be used interchangeably with non-permeable options. This also means that in pedestrian applications, clients need to choose from a collection of products designed for vehicular traffic and are thusly, more costly than necessary.

Techo bloc 11 Permeable
Techo bloc 11 Permeable

Permeable Pavers

Techo-Bloc’s permeable pavements are designed to allow for the proper percolation of surface water into the ground. This: 

  • Reduces the risk and severity of flooding

  • Eliminates puddles

  • Speeds up the melting process of snow

  • Reduces winter ice hazards

  • Increases cost-savings on de-icing salt and snow removal 


We wanted to ensure we had a wide variety of paver options that were eco-conscious and cost-effective for residential and commercial stormwater management, so we offer 18 different styles. Plus all of our styles can be used interchangeably with permeable pavers or interlocking applications. We have permeable options in 60, 65, 70, 80 and 100mm (2.36, 2.56, 2.76, 3.15 and 3.94 in). 

 

Cambridge offers 5 permeable options, all of which are 80mm (3.15 in), which means they can’t be used interchangeably with non-permeable options. This also means that in pedestrian applications, clients need to choose from a collection of products designed for vehicular traffic and are thusly, more costly than necessary.

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Techo bloc 5 pool coping wall caps

Pool Coping & Wall Caps

With over 11 million residential swimming pools across the US and Canada, you need to have a solid offering to present when your client is looking for a stunning poolscape: This means coping is essential. Even if you’re not worried about a pool on your next project, one of the best ways to add value to a hardscape project is through the addition of vertical elements. Caps and coping are the grand finale to complete stairs, walls, fire pits and more. Coping is what takes a job from good to great, but only if you can find that perfect combination of color, texture and style.

Techo-Bloc offers 15 different coping options, 8 of which can be used with pools, and all of which are made from precast concrete. And any of our caps can be used on any of our walls and all are available in all of our colors, offering a wide range of style options.

Cambridge offers 5 pool coping options, 3 of which are bullnose in style, 1 rectangular style and 1 stone imitation. 

Techo bloc 5 pool coping wall caps

Pool Coping & Wall Caps

With over 11 million residential swimming pools across the US and Canada, you need to have a solid offering to present when your client is looking for a stunning poolscape: This means coping is essential. Even if you’re not worried about a pool on your next project, one of the best ways to add value to a hardscape project is through the addition of vertical elements. Caps and coping are the grand finale to complete stairs, walls, fire pits and more. Coping is what takes a job from good to great, but only if you can find that perfect combination of color, texture and style.

Techo-Bloc offers 15 different coping options, 8 of which can be used with pools, and all of which are made from precast concrete. And any of our caps can be used on any of our walls and all are available in all of our colors, offering a wide range of style options.

Cambridge offers 5 pool coping options, 3 of which are bullnose in style, 1 rectangular style and 1 stone imitation. 

VIEW ALL POOL COPING

VIEW ALL TECHO-BLOC STEPS

Edges

Stone borders or edges complement your landscaping and help to reduce maintenance by keeping mulch in -- and the grass out -- of flowerbeds. Adding edges around flower beds also helps separate the pavers on the driveway from the greenery, creating well-defined and stunning, spaces that won’t shift from ground movement. 

Since every pavement needs an edge restraint anyway, why not ensure those edges are aesthetically pleasing and bring value to your client? Plus, some of our options, like Avignon and Pietra have an edge restraint anchor built right into the design. It's a 2-in-1 deal!

Our 9 edging stone collections add a polished finish to your outdoor space, with enough style and color options to match or enhance the rest of the home’s look. Cambridge does not currently offer any edging options.

Techo bloc 3 Edges
Techo bloc 3 Edges

Edges

Stone borders or edges complement your landscaping and help to reduce maintenance by keeping mulch in -- and the grass out -- of flowerbeds. Adding edges around flower beds also helps separate the pavers on the driveway from the greenery, creating well-defined and stunning, spaces that won’t shift from ground movement. 

Since every pavement needs an edge restraint anyway, why not ensure those edges are aesthetically pleasing and bring value to your client? Plus, some of our options, like Avignon and Pietra have an edge restraint anchor built right into the design. It's a 2-in-1 deal!

Our 9 edging stone collections add a polished finish to your outdoor space, with enough style and color options to match or enhance the rest of the home’s look. Cambridge does not currently offer any edging options.

VIEW ALL TECHO-BLOC EDGES