Masonry Supplies in Toronto — Concrete Block, Brick & Stone Masonry Units
Concrete masonry units, architectural block, brick, and dimensional stone masonry products for Toronto’s residential, commercial, and institutional construction industry — supplied from our North York location since 1976.
Masonry Products for Structural and Architectural Applications in Toronto
Masonry is a construction method in which individual units — concrete block, brick, or cut stone — are bonded together with mortar to form walls, structures, and architectural elements. Masonry units fall into two primary categories: concrete masonry units (CMU), manufactured from Portland cement and aggregate, and natural stone masonry units, quarried and cut to dimensional specifications.
Masonry is one of the oldest and most durable construction systems, with load-bearing walls that can last for centuries in harsh climates. Modern engineered masonry, using high-strength concrete or stone with specialized mortar and reinforcement, remains dominant in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in the GTA.
The masonry category includes more than it seems. Concrete masonry units (CMUs), like grey blocks and variants, are key for structural walls, foundations, fire-rated partitions, and utility enclosures in Ontario. Architectural CMUs add decorative options: textured, split-face, ground-face, and colour-integral units that serve as finished surfaces. Brick, whether clay or concrete, is primarily used for residential facades and infill walls. Natural stone units, like granite and limestone, are used for facades, heritage, and architectural work where concrete units aren’t specified.
Grand Valley Building Supplies has supplied masonry products to Toronto-area contractors, developers, and institutional builders since 1976. Our North York showroom carries masonry products from four supplier lines — Permacon, Rinox, NG Stone, and Polycor — covering the full range of concrete and stone masonry units for projects across the GTA.
Masonry Products We Carry
- Standard Concrete Block (CMU)
- Architectural / Decorative CMU
- Split-Face & Ground-Face Block
- Concrete Brick
- Colour-Integral Block
- Dimensional Cut Stone
- Ashlar Stone
- Rubble & Random Stone
- Stone Facing & Cladding Units
Masonry Brands Available at Grand Valley Building Supplies
Grand Valley’s masonry range is built around four supplier lines — covering concrete masonry units in standard and architectural formats, and natural stone masonry products in cut dimensional and quarried stone formats.
Permacon
Permacon is a leading Canadian concrete masonry manufacturer, offering a range of standard and architectural blocks, bricks, and colour-integral units for residential and commercial use. Manufactured to CSA A165.1 standards, their products are widely specified by Toronto-area contractors for structural and architectural walls. As part of CRH Canada, Permacon ensures consistent quality and availability across Ontario.
Rinox
Rinox offers concrete masonry units, including architectural and decorative blocks, for residential and commercial walls. Known for quality surface finishes and wide colour options, their products are used for above-grade walls where the block surface is visible, removing the need for extra cladding or finishing.
NG Stone
NG Stone supplies natural stone masonry units for architectural and structural applications. Their products include dimensional cut stone suited for ashlar, facing, and custom masonry, where genuine quarried stone is preferred over concrete. Toronto contractors use NG Stone for heritage restoration, custom residential, and architectural projects that require authentic stone character.
Polycor
Polycor is North America's largest natural stone quarrier, providing cut stone for masonry and architecture. It supplies granite, limestone, and quartzite for structural facing, ashlar walls, architectural details, and heritage masonry. Operating across Canada and the US, it ensures consistent material supply for large-scale projects.
Where Masonry Products Are Used — Structural and Architectural Applications in Toronto
Masonry products serve both structural and aesthetic functions in construction. The application determines the appropriate product type, unit specification, and mortar system — from load-bearing below-grade foundations to finished architectural stone facades.
- Application 1
Foundation & Below-Grade Walls
Concrete masonry units are the primary material for foundation walls in Ontario. Below-grade masonry needs units with high strength and low water absorption to prevent hydrostatic pressure and moisture; standard 8-inch blocks with at least 15 MPa strength are typical. Type S or M mortar is used for durability and often includes waterproofing. Permacon and Rinox supply suitable concrete blocks.
- Application 2
Load-Bearing Structural Walls
Concrete masonry units are used for load-bearing walls in low-rise buildings. Reinforced masonry with steel bars in grouted cores provides the strength required for above-grade walls. In Ontario, standard concrete blocks are usually 8 or 10 inches thick, with higher-strength CMU used for finished surfaces. Toronto's Ontario Building Code sets requirements for strength, mortar, and reinforcement based on building height and load.
- Application 3
Architectural & Decorative CMU
Architectural concrete masonry units extend standard CMUs into finished wall surfaces, eliminating extra cladding, paint, or facing. Split-face CMU is mechanically split after curing for a rough, natural stone look. Ground-face CMU is ground smooth, revealing aggregate for a polished, terrazzo-like finish. Colour-integral CMU incorporates iron oxide pigments, offering buff, brown, red, and grey tones. Permacon's range includes all three finishes, widely used for commercial and institutional facades in the GTA.
- Application 4
Exterior Stone Masonry Facades
Dimensional cut stone masonry—ashlar limestone, granite facing, and coursed stone cladding—is used for facades requiring natural stone for design or heritage reasons. It needs structural support at each floor and an engineered wall to bear the dead load. NG Stone and Polycor provide the specified stone types, coursing heights, and finishes for Toronto projects.
- Application 5
Heritage & Restoration Masonry
Toronto's heritage includes many brick and stone buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Restoring heritage masonry involves matching original lime-based mortar and sourcing stone or brick that match in species, colour, texture, and size. Polycor and NG Stone provide suitable dimensional stones for heritage restoration in the GTA, matching original materials in appearance and properties.
- Application 6
Commercial & Institutional Construction
Concrete masonry dominates low-rise commercial and institutional walls across Ontario, including schools, warehouses, retail buildings, parking structures, and municipal facilities. Its strengths—compressive strength, fire resistance, acoustics, and low lifecycle costs—make it preferred. High-density and high-strength CMU are used where enhanced performance is needed, like seismic zones and taller load-bearing systems. Permacon offers units with compressive strengths up to 30 MPa and above for demanding structural needs.
Masonry Units: Types, Specifications, and Key Terms
Selecting masonry units requires matching the product type to the application’s structural, aesthetic, and performance requirements. The following reference outlines the primary masonry unit types applicable to masonry projects in Toronto.
Unit Type
Material
Standard Size (Nominal)
Compressive Strength
Primary Applications
Standard Concrete Block (CMU)
Portland cement, aggregate
8″x8″x16″
Minimum 15 MPa (CSA A165.1)
Foundation walls, load-bearing above-grade walls, utility enclosures
Architectural CMU — Split-Face
Portland cement, aggregate
8″x8″x16″ and custom
Minimum 15 MPa
Commercial facades, decorative above-grade walls, finished structural surfaces
Architectural CMU — Ground-Face
Portland cement, aggregate with exposed aggregate face
8″x8″x16″ and custom
Minimum 15 MPa
Interior and exterior finished walls, commercial and institutional facades
Colour-Integral CMU
Portland cement, aggregate, iron oxide pigment
Standard and custom
Minimum 15 MPa
Residential and commercial decorative walls, landscape masonry
Concrete Brick
Portland cement, aggregate
4″x2-2/3″x8″ (standard)
Minimum 20 MPa
Residential facades, infill panels, decorative coursing
Dimensional Cut Stone (Ashlar)
Quarried granite, limestone, quartzite
Custom to project spec
Varies by species
Heritage facades, architectural stone walls, stone facing systems
Rubble / Random Stone
Quarried fieldstone, limestone, granite
Irregular
Varies
Rustic structural walls, heritage restoration, garden walls
Stone Facing Units
Quarried and cut natural stone
Project-specific
Varies by species
Exterior stone facade cladding on engineered structural backup
Masonry Supplies
What is masonry?
Masonry is a construction method where units like concrete block, brick, or stone are assembled with mortar to create walls, structures, and architectural features. It is among the oldest building methods and still widely used in residential, commercial, and institutional projects. Masonry is valued for strength, fire resistance, soundproofing, thermal mass, and durability. In Toronto, masonry mainly refers to concrete masonry units (CMU) for structural walls and brick or stone for facades.
What is a concrete masonry unit (CMU), and how is it used?
A concrete masonry unit (CMU), or concrete block, is a precast building block made from Portland cement, aggregate, and water, formed under pressure and cured for strength. In Canada, standard CMU dimensions are 8 inches high, 8 inches wide, and 16 inches long (nominal), with actual sizes about 3/8-inch smaller to accommodate mortar joints. CMUs are used for foundation, structural, partition, fire-rated, and utility walls. Hollow-core CMUs can be reinforced with rebar and grout for structural loads. Canadian CMUs adhere to CSA A165.1, with a minimum compressive strength of 15 MPa.
What is the difference between concrete masonry and natural stone masonry?
Concrete masonry uses manufactured CMU — precast units with consistent size and strength. Natural stone masonry uses quarried stone — cut (ashlar) or irregular (rubble). Concrete offers dimensional consistency, predictable performance, availability, and lower cost. Natural stone provides authenticity, unique visual appeal, and often better durability — granite and limestone structures last centuries. In Toronto, concrete masonry is standard for structural walls and foundations, while natural stone is used for architectural facades, restoration, and custom projects requiring material authenticity.
What mortar should be used for exterior masonry in Toronto?
Type S mortar is standard for Toronto’s exterior masonry, blending Portland cement, lime, and sand to meet minimum strength and freeze-thaw durability. Type M, with higher strength, is for below-grade work and contact with soil. Type N, weaker, suits interior or sheltered exterior masonry. Using incorrect mortar causes premature deterioration, especially in Toronto’s freeze-thaw climate, where softer mortar absorbs moisture and spalls during winter.
What compressive strength should masonry units have for structural applications?
The minimum compressive strength for structural masonry varies by application and building code. Standard CMU per CSA A165.1 must have a strength of at least 15 MPa. Reinforced masonry in load-bearing walls typically ranges from 15 to 20 MPa, higher for taller or heavier structures. High-strength architectural CMU exceeds 30 MPa. Natural stone strengths vary: granite over 130 MPa, limestone 20-80 MPa. In Ontario, structural masonry design must follow CSA S304.
What is ashlar masonry?
Ashlar masonry is a natural stone construction in which cut stones are laid in regular horizontal courses, contrasting with rubble masonry, which uses irregular stones. It is cut on a saw or hand-dressed to ensure consistent bed heights, enabling uniform or varied coursing, or broken courses. Ashlar limestone and granite are common for facades, heritage buildings, restoration, and residential projects across the GTA. NG Stone and Polycor supply such stones for masonry in Toronto.
How does masonry perform in Toronto's climate?
Masonry suits Toronto’s climate when properly specified and built. Key factors are freeze-thaw resistance and moisture control. CSA A165.1 units limit water absorption, reducing moisture-related freeze risk. Exterior joints should shed water, and the mortar needs to be Type S or M for freeze-thaw resistance. Performance varies by stone; granite and quartzite are frost-resistant, while limestone and sandstone need correct mortar and surface treatments. Well-designed masonry with proper units, mortar, flashing, and drainage is highly durable for Ontario’s climate.
How do I choose between concrete block and natural stone for a masonry project?
Choosing between CMU and natural stone masonry depends on four factors: structural needs, budget, visual goals, and project type. Concrete masonry suits below-grade foundations, load-bearing walls, fire-rated assemblies, and utilities—where consistency, performance, and cost matter. It’s also ideal for large commercial and institutional projects requiring material volume and schedule reliability. Natural stone masonry fits when authenticity, character, or heritage matching is key. Cut stone from NG Stone and Polycor is used for custom facades, restoration, and architectural needs where concrete can’t replicate quarry stone. For projects requiring structural strength and a stone look, thin stone veneer over CMU is cost-effective, providing a genuine stone finish without the full masonry costs. Contact us or visit the showroom to find the right product.
Ready to Source Masonry Products for Your Toronto Project?
Visit our North York showroom to review CMU samples and dimensional stone products from Permacon, Rinox, NG Stone, and Polycor — or contact our team for unit specifications, compressive strength data, and project pricing.