Paving Bricks – Lay Brick Patterns in Eight Easy Steps
Apr 13, 2023
If you are looking for a traditional style of flooring, then paving bricks can be the perfect solution. They are strong enough to withstand the impact of traffic and come in a uniform texture that brings a simple yet elegant touch to your space.
You can lay your brick paving in various patterns to add a wow factor to your space. If you are a newbie, consider applying a straightforward design that requires little or no brick cutting. If you are laying the bricks on a circular surface, you might face a bit of difficulty as you have to cut bricks to fit perfectly onto the surface. But you can easily fit the bricks by laying brick pavers on a square or rectangular surface.
To get a flawless finish, you must adhere to a step-by-step process, whether you’re putting bricks on a circular or rectangular surface. So, have a look at this article if you’re interested in learning how to lay brick paving. You will discover a thorough, step-by-step guide to laying paving bricks here.
Let’s start with the tools and materials you’ll require.
List of Tools and Materials
Here are the tools and materials you’ll need while laying paving brick patterns.
- Shovel
- Tape measure
- Line level
- Paving bricks
- Hand tamp or plate compactor
- Compatible gravel
- Landscape fabric
- Long, straight 2×4 board
- A 50-pound bag of polymeric sand
- 8 Stakes
- Small sledgehammer
- Mason’s line
- Rubber mallet
- Broom
- Rake
- Carpenter’s level
- Sand
- Garden hose
- Plywood scrap
How to Lay Brick Paving?
Here is a step-by-step guide for you to lay a perfect brick surface. However, one of the easiest ways to install brick pavers is the sandset method. In this method, bricks are laid on the ground on top of a layer of compacted gravel and landscape fabric and a layer of sand. Once the bricks are laid, sweet the sand into the cracks between the pavers to lock them in place, you can find the complete process of paving bricks below.
Remember that brick paving is slightly different from natural stone paving, where you don’t have enough colour and size options. While natural stone paving includes, sandstone paving, limestone paving, etc.
Step 1 – Mark the Edges
The first and foremost step while paving brick patterns is to create layout lines for the surface. Be sure to base the dimensions on the size of the brick paver. The lines should show the bricks’ outer edges, not the edging. Even if four stakes are sufficient to establish a pattern, placing two stakes at each corner, around two feet beyond the patio’s edges, is preferable.
The corners of the patio are marked at the spots where the lines cross when they are tied to the stakes. With this arrangement, the stakes won’t get in the way while you prepare and excavate the entire patio space.
Step 2 – Add a Slope
Add a slope if you want the water to drain down at the downhill end. This should often be the end furthest from the building to direct surface water away from the home’s foundation.
Step 3 – Dig the Surface for Paving Bricks
Dig the ground to about eight inches, extending it outward on all sides by about six inches. Now slope the soil according to the layout lines, measuring as you go to maintain an 8-inch depth. To place the brick pavers precisely, ensure the area is flat.
Step 4 – Fill the Base with Gravel
Now fill the dug surface with gravel to a depth of four inches. Once you fill the entire surface with gravel, rake them and make a smooth and levelled surface. Don’t forget to maintain the slope.
Step 5 – Add a Layer of Sand
Once you have installed a layer of gravel, add a layer of landscape fabric over it. Add around two inches of sand layer over the landscape fabric. This prevents the growth of weeds and separates the gravel from the sand layer.
Step 6 – Lay the Paving Bricks
Now, start laying paving bricks onto the surface. Remember to lay the paving brick patterns according to your style. To set the bricks into the sand, tap them with a rubber mallet. However,
Step 7 – Fill the Polymeric Sand in Between the Bricks
To strengthen the paving bricks, fill in the sand between the joints to lock them and prevent weed growth. Spread polymeric sand over the bricks and use a push broom to sweep throughout the patio surface, working the sand into the cracks. Sweep in various directions to cover any cracks and fill them with sand as you go. However, patio maintenance is must to keep the pattern and surface clean and maintain that pleasing look.
Step 8 – Fill in the Edging
Fill the space behind the brick edging with soil, sod, or other landscaping supplies. This aids in keeping the pavers and edging in place and partially conceals the edging to give the area a polished appearance.
Conclusion
In these eight steps, you can lay perfect paving bricks and have a dream space of yours. Make sure you take help from professionals as they will guide you through the process correctly.