Cottage ownership is expensive. There are always more things to fix than there is money to fix
them with, and we understand that. But after more than 20 summers doing this work in Muskoka
and Lake of Bays properties, we have watched the math play out enough times to say that the
lower upfront cost does not always end up being the lower overall cost. It is worth understanding
the difference before you decide.
What a Muskoka winter actually does to your landscape
The freeze-thaw cycle in this part of Ontario is more punishing than most people realize. From
November through March, the ground freezes and thaws repeatedly, expanding and contracting
with each shift. Every material you build with goes through that same cycle, and some handle it
far better than others.
The cost comparison that actually matters
A properly built granite or flagstone installation, done with the right base depth and drainage,
can last many decades with almost no intervention beyond resetting the occasional piece. Over
the life of the property, it is almost always the lower cost option.
For a property you plan to keep, use, and pass down, natural stone is not a luxury. It is the
practical choice.
What natural stone actually looks like on a Muskoka property
There is also the matter of how it looks. Granite stairs leading down to the dock. A flagstone
terrace that sits level and dry with edges that follow the natural contour of the land. A retaining
wall built from fieldstone that looks like it has always been part of the property.
Natural stone ages in a way that other materials do not. It does not fade, peel, or look worn. It
settles into the landscape. Twenty years after installation, it often looks better than it did on day
one, because it has become part of the property rather than something placed on top of it.
The high-end cottage properties in this region almost universally use natural stone for their
hardscape. There is a reason for that.
What about interlocking pavers?
Manufactured interlocking pavers are a middle ground worth considering in the right context.
They are more affordable than natural stone, more flexible than poured concrete, and can look
clean and well-finished. We use them in areas where the practical benefits outweigh the
aesthetic ones.
For main living and entertaining spaces on a cottage property, most clients end up preferring
natural stone once they see both side by side. But if budget is a real constraint, pavers are a
better choice, and we are happy to discuss what makes sense for your specific project.
A word on railway ties and pressure treated lumber
We are asked about railway ties regularly, usually because they are inexpensive and available
at most building supply stores. We do not recommend them for retaining walls or any permanent
landscape feature on a Muskoka property. We do not believe in using any wood product directly
in contact with the earth.
They rot. They shift. They can leach chemicals into the soil over time. And when they fail, the
slope or grade they were holding often comes with them. There are natural stone options at a
range of price points. If you are considering railway ties because of budget, let us show you
what else is possible before you commit.
A simple walk through your property with our team can give you a much clearer picture of what
you are working with, what your options are, and what the right investment looks like for your
specific situation. Reach out and we will come take a look.
Ready to talk about your property? Request a quote using this link.