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Techo-Bloc vs Permacon

Overall Techo-Bloc vs. Permacon Comparison

Many reputable hardscapers use Permacon products, and we frequently get questions about how the two brands stack up against each other. Permacon offers options in all of the same categories as Techo-Bloc, but where we feel we win is with regard to quality, specifically products made with their Satura process. Permacon’s Satura technology is basically printed on the concrete and then sealed, instead of mixed into the aggregate like Techo-Bloc’s HD2 products. This printing process can lead to peeling, scaling and delaminating.

Instead, Techo-Bloc’s HD2 technology uses smaller aggregates in their mix. This requires more cement and pigments to coat the particles, ultimately resulting in a tighter surface. HD2 products take longer to weather and wear thanks to this tighter surface.

Techo-Bloc uses a rigorous R&D approach to our products. We spend time and effort ensuring our products respond to all of our customers’ needs: aesthetics, durability, functionality and installability. We know the installer is crucial to the success of a project, so every product we design, including the packaging, is done in such a manner as to make life simpler and yield stunning results. Plus, we carry a wide variety of styles and colors so you can be sure you’ll find the exact right product for your next project.

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 little 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 Permacon offering 41 styles of pavers and slabs while we offer 48, so you’re sure to find the right look for your project. 

Again, the big differentiator is the technology used to create pavers and slabs. At Techo-Bloc, we use much smaller aggregates (the largest particle size being 5mm) creating a tighter finish; whereas, Permacon uses larger aggregates (the largest particle size being 10mm) leading to a more porous surface. While using larger aggregates results in a strong concrete, it also uses less cement and pigment, resulting in more fading and color changes over time. However, the use of smaller particles needs more cement to be stronger, resulting in a better final result with less wearing, less fading and increased durability.

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 little 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 Permacon offering 41 styles of pavers and slabs while we offer 48, so you’re sure to find the right look for your project. 

Again, the big differentiator is the technology used to create pavers and slabs. At Techo-Bloc, we use much smaller aggregates (the largest particle size being 5mm) creating a tighter finish; whereas, Permacon uses larger aggregates (the largest particle size being 10mm) leading to a more porous surface. While using larger aggregates results in a strong concrete, it also uses less cement and pigment, resulting in more fading and color changes over time. However, the use of smaller particles needs more cement to be stronger, resulting in a better final result with less wearing, less fading and increased durability.

Techo bloc 4 Walls

Double-Sided Walls

This category is especially important as the versatility of double-sided walls can not be underestimated. These products make the design and construction of seat walls, outdoor living features and raised patios much easier. Plus, double-sided walls reduce waste on-site as two faces of each unit are usable. 

  • Just like Techo-Bloc pavers, our double-sided walls are all interlocking to make installation easier and include our patented anchoring system clips packaged with the product at no charge. 

  • Our walls are made with paver manufacturing machines instead of wall block machines, leading to significantly higher density, better resistance to freeze/thaw conditions and de-icing salt resistance, all of which are covered by a lifetime transferable warranty.

Both companies offer 10 collections at this time. Aesthetically, the styles offered by both brands are very comparable; however, the difference is in the construction method and time used.

Permacon’s walls require base units, followed by structural units and finished with fascia units. This method is up to 20% more time consuming than Techo-Bloc’s wall construction method. The dimensional tolerances for Techo-Bloc’s walls are 1/16” compared to Permacon’s ⅛”. The bigger the dimensional tolerance, the longer the construction time and the worse the final aesthetics.

Techo bloc 4 Walls

Double-Sided Walls

This category is especially important as the versatility of double-sided walls can not be underestimated. These products make the design and construction of seat walls, outdoor living features and raised patios much easier. Plus, double-sided walls reduce waste on-site as two faces of each unit are usable. 

  • Just like Techo-Bloc pavers, our double-sided walls are all interlocking to make installation easier and include our patented anchoring system clips packaged with the product at no charge. 

  • Our walls are made with paver manufacturing machines instead of wall block machines, leading to significantly higher density, better resistance to freeze/thaw conditions and de-icing salt resistance, all of which are covered by a lifetime transferable warranty.

Both companies offer 10 collections at this time. Aesthetically, the styles offered by both brands are very comparable; however, the difference is in the construction method and time used.

Permacon’s walls require base units, followed by structural units and finished with fascia units. This method is up to 20% more time consuming than Techo-Bloc’s wall construction method. The dimensional tolerances for Techo-Bloc’s walls are 1/16” compared to Permacon’s ⅛”. The bigger the dimensional tolerance, the longer the construction time and the worse the final aesthetics.

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

  • Decreases cost of de-icing salt and snow removal 

We want to ensure we have a wide variety of paver options that are 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.

Permacon offers 10 permeable options in pavers only, with no slab options currently available.

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

  • Decreases cost of de-icing salt and snow removal 

We want to ensure we have a wide variety of paver options that are 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.

Permacon offers 10 permeable options in pavers only, with no slab options currently available.

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 for clients 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 3 of which are bullnose style, 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.

Permacon offers 6 wall coping options, 5 of which can be used for pool coping with 2 of those being bullnose styles. 

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 for clients 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 3 of which are bullnose style, 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.

Permacon offers 6 wall coping options, 5 of which can be used for pool coping with 2 of those being bullnose styles. 

Steps

When it comes to steps, all 5 of Techo-Bloc’s offerings (along with the 2 overlay collections for renovations) are constructed from precast concrete, so you get: 

  • Colors designed to mimic stone’s color variation

  • No potential for irregularities like mineral deposits

  • UV-resistant steps

  • More consistent look from beginning to end

  • Access to the same materials years later, in case you need to replace an individual stone or add to your project

Another huge advantage of our step offering is that it matches perfectly with our paver, slab and wall collections. This makes each Techo-Bloc step unit much more versatile than just a tread.

Permacon offers 2 precast step options, both of which are drycast concrete. They also offer 2 overlay options, one smooth and one slate.

Techo bloc 6 Steps
Techo bloc 6 Steps

Steps

When it comes to steps, all 5 of Techo-Bloc’s offerings (along with the 2 overlay collections for renovations) are constructed from precast concrete, so you get: 

  • Colors designed to mimic stone’s color variation

  • No potential for irregularities like mineral deposits

  • UV-resistant steps

  • More consistent look from beginning to end

  • Access to the same materials years later, in case you need to replace an individual stone or add to your project

Another huge advantage of our step offering is that it matches perfectly with our paver, slab and wall collections. This makes each Techo-Bloc step unit much more versatile than just a tread.

Permacon offers 2 precast step options, both of which are drycast concrete. They also offer 2 overlay options, one smooth and one slate.

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, standout 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. Permacon offers 4 edging options.

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, standout 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. Permacon offers 4 edging options.

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