Brick Paver Manufacturers I use in Southeast Michigan

Using a high quality Paving Stone or Paver Block is essential to maximum results

For over 30 years now, I have been using and recommending two major brick paver manufacturers in Southeast Michigan.  The first is FENDT Builders Supply which is headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI.  The second is North America's largest brick paver manufacturer - UNILOCK.  UNILOCK has a manufacturer plant in Brighton, MI.

FENDT Builders Supply is a local Michigan company that has over 80 years of experience & knowledge. Offering a wide spectrum of concrete paver products, tools, accessories, and support, FENDT has positioned themselves as a supplier of affordable, quality & attractive paving stones and modular retaining wall systems.

UNILOCK is an international brick paving manufacturer that has lead the innovation & production of brick pavers and modular retaining wall systems in North America.  UNILOCK has positioned themselves to offer a full pricing range of low cost to high end products.


My commitment to these two quality manufactures arises from their wide range of products, colors, shapes, textures, warranties, and availability offered.  Unlike paving stones offered at big box home improvement stores, FENDT & UNILOCK offer many outlets for obtaining their products.  They also maintain an adequate inventory of products and allow for purchase directly at their manufacturing plants.

There are other good brick paver manufacturers that produce here in Michigan or ship into the State, but their availability and sufficient stock of inventory usually is lacking. All my bidding & design utilizes FENDT or UNILOCK products. My crew and myself are very familiar with the possibilities and limitations of these products.

My 30 years experience with these companies has allowed me to witness their commitment to guaranteeing their respective products.  If it is not right, they will replace their products.  Both manufacturers have a Sales & Service representative structure that will advise & train contractor or homeowner alike.

When bidding a paver project, I usually do not favor any one manufacturer over the other.  I evaluate the homeowner's need and budget before recommending which products, colors, textures, etc..  should be proposed.  I am confident in the quality & performance of both paver manufacturer's products so the overall project design, color, and paver shape will determine which manufacturer will be recommended.

Fendt Introduces New Paving Stone Color... Polar Ash

Interlocking Pavers offer great color choices for your Patio, Walkway, Driveway, Porches & Steps

In the Fall of 2010, Fendt Builder's Supply introduced a new color to its "Spectrum Collection" color line of paving stones. This new color is Polar Ash. This new color of paving stones has been a great addition to the premium line of colors offered by Fendt. There has been great demand for a whitish grey brick paver pigment to match popular natural building materials.

Polar Ash is currently only available in the 4X8 Holland Series and Old World Vintage Series of paving stones.  As demand for this color increases, other paving stone series may be added. As always, Fendt can produce a special order (requires minimum order size) in Polar Ash for most of its line of paving stones. The Polar Ash color is the eighth addition to the Spectrum Collection of colors.

Fendt's Spectrum Collection of paving stone colors are intensified pigments in the pavers to offer a vivid upscale look without the high cost. Though Spectrum colors do have a nominal cost, these brilliant color enhancements are unmatched in the brick paver industry.  You can expect to spend @ 50cents to $1.00 per square foot to upgrade from the standard colors.

It is always good to see brick paver manufacturers improve and recreate their product lines. Fendt has always had the pulse of the brick paver industry and is quick to introduce new products into the market to meet ever changing consumer or contractor demands. Fendt plans on some new retaining wall products and colors to be introduced in 2011. As a brick pavers contractor, I always embrace new products, colors, & accessories that I can offer my clients.

Top Reason for Brick Paver Repairs

Yesterday I met with Al Martin, a UNILOCK sales representative for North America's largest brick paver manufacturer. We were discussing the challenges that the climate in southeast Michigan presents for interlocking brick pavers and modular retaining walls.

We both agree that our frequent "freeze thaw cycles" , the cycle of the ground freezing and thawing during the winter months, creates a lot of paving damage. It has been no secrete that the roads & highways in the Detroit area exhibit these damages like no other metropolitan area in the country, with Chicago a close second. I would like to comment on the effects of sub grade frost on pavements.

People enjoy the warmer weather here in Michigan during winter month's, but like most good things, there is always a price. When the ground freezes, water or moisture does not trickle down through the water table. Typically, in the Detroit area the average frozen ground depth is 3 feet. This is the reason footings for deck posts or masonry walls must be a minimum of 3.5 feet so the frost does not get below. When the top of this frozen ground starts to "thaw" due to warm weather, it becomes mushy & permeable. The soil below brick pavers, concrete, and asphalt becomes unstable and falters from loads (traffic) and voids in the subsoil. To add more salt (no pun intended) to the wound, it refreezes and traps more moisture between the frozen ground below and the surface. This freeze thaw cycle creates tremendous stress on any pavement by heaving and contracting.

It is not unusual for the Detroit and Chicago areas to experience over 30 freeze thaw cycles during the winter months (Dec thru Mar). This is probably the equivalent of 5 winter frosts versus 1 for a northern city like Minnesota. Many municipalities try to reduce the damaging effects of frost thawing by imposing "Frost Laws". These laws typically reduce the weight allowed by trucks to haul by 50%.

This background leads us to the the conversation I had with Al Martin on brick pavers & retaining walls. It is obvious why UNILOCK locates most of its brick paver manufacturing plants in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, New York, Ontario Canada, Toronto, etc.. . These cities fall in what I call the Frost Belt. Interlocking Brick Pavers and Modular Retaining Walls are the most economical and functional pavement for the "frost belt" over time. Repairs of brick pavers is much more economical than repairs of stamped concrete or asphalt. Over 60 years of paving stone experience & feedback has proved this throughout Europe, Australia, and North America.

Many of my clients blame their brick paver repairs on poor installation and this is not always true. Often I do see brick paver patios, sidewalks, and driveways that were poorly designed and installed. The first thing I point out to them is how many times in the last 15 years did the County or State redo that stretch of highway nearby. Usually, it has been redone twice so that is 3 different pavements, sometimes 3ft thick of concrete, that have been totally removed and replaced on average 5-6 years.

Brick pavers and retaining walls that are properly monitored and maintained will out perform any wood deck, stamped concrete or ashalt pavement. Whether you perform brick paver maintenance yourself or use a professional, you can enjoy the financial and aesthic value of paving stones for a lifetime!