Armour Stone Prices in Ontario
Armour stone is usually priced by the ton, with standard stone running $80-$102 per ton and specialty or oversized pieces running higher, up to $325 per ton, depending on stone size, source quarry, and delivery distance. Larger stones (for taller walls or shoreline work) often carry a premium since they're harder to quarry and handle.
Most suppliers sell armour stone in general size categories — skid-steer sizes (9-14"), small (18-24"), medium (24-36"), and large/oversized (36"+) — with wall height requirements determining which size range you need. A rule of thumb: stone width should be roughly equal to or greater than the wall height at that point for stability.
Delivery cost is often the most variable part of the total — get delivered pricing for your specific address rather than comparing per-ton quarry prices alone.
Get a direct quote from Natural Stone Source Ontario for your project's exact stone needs.
How Armour Stone Pricing Works
Armour stone is sold by weight, not by the piece. Across current approved stock, most armour stone runs $80 to $102 per ton, with specialty selections such as skidded pallets, random block and drystack building sizes reaching $325 per ton. Sawn armour finished on multiple faces is priced by the square foot instead, from $100 to $137.50, and edging courses are sold by the lineal foot at $31.25.
Larger pieces generally carry a lower per-ton rate than small hand-set material, because less handling and splitting goes into each ton loaded. Full loads are quoted outright at $2,340 for a tandem and $3,120 for a tri-axle.
Choosing the Right Size
Approved stock runs from 9 inch through 40 inch face heights, and is also graded by piece weight in 1-3 ton, 2-4 ton, 2-7 ton and 3-7 ton ranges. Colours include light, medium and dark grey, brown, and weathered faces, with sawn and guillotine finishes where a tighter joint is wanted.
Match the course to finished wall height. Under 24 inches, a single course of 9 to 14 inch stone on a compacted granular base is usually enough. Between 24 and 36 inches, use 18 to 24 inch stone in two courses with the base course partly buried. Above 36 inches, move to 24 inch or heavier with drainage behind the wall. Bury roughly a third of the first course when estimating tonnage: a wall that reads three feet above grade is closer to four feet of stone in the quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does armour stone cost per ton in Ontario?
Most approved armour stone is currently $80 to $102 per ton. Skidded, random and drystack building selections range higher, up to $325 per ton. Sawn armour finished on several faces is quoted by the square foot rather than by weight, from $100 to $137.50.
What size armour stone do I need for a retaining wall?
Match the course to the finished height. Under 24 inches, 9 to 14 inch stone in a single course. Between 24 and 36 inches, 18 to 24 inch stone in two courses. Above 36 inches, 24 inch or larger with proper drainage behind the wall. Walls over four feet, or any wall retaining a driveway or structure, should be engineered.
Is armour stone sold by the ton or by the piece?
Most of it is sold by the ton. Sawn armour is priced by the square foot, edging by the lineal foot, and some skidded selections by the pallet at $281.25. Full truckloads can also be quoted outright, at $2,340 for a tandem and $3,120 for a tri-axle.
How much armour stone will my wall need?
Estimate on total stone height, not visible height, since roughly a third of the base course sits below grade. Length multiplied by total height gives the wall face area, which converts to tonnage once the course size is settled, because coverage per ton changes with the size and density of the stone.