Now, it's time to start laying out our patio with the brick pavers that we talked about last week. Once again, if you need to know which pattern of brick to use, go to the office and get a copy of the Step-by-Step article done a couple of weeks ago that shows some of the pattern options available to you. There are different options in brick pavers. You have your common-size brick, which generally measures about 2 1/2, x 3 1/2, x 7 1/2. You also can use split pavers. These are about the same size, but thinner, measuring about 1 1/2 inches in thickness. Use this size brick if you are in a very shallow area, or where you cannot dig down easily because of the base, i.e., the base is concrete or masonry. You can use the thinner brick pavers as you would standard pavers, but you must be more careful about how you prep the ground for them. They are thinner and more likely to break if the base underneath them gives way. There is also the patio paver brick. This is the easiest to use because it measures a true 4" x 8" and averages about 2" to 2 1/2" in thickness. These bricks come in different colors: red, red used, and a red used tumbled. Sometimes we get a really good buy on these bricks, and when we do, we pass on the savings to you. For example, a common solid brick may be 90 cents each, where a patio paver brick may be 57 cents each. Sometimes when we purchase a run from a brick company, they will discount them because they are slightly damaged, or have chips or cracks in them. When we can get these bricks, they may sell for as low as 47 cents each. Call the office and get pricing on the brick style that you want, and if you buy one of the sale bricks, make certain that you buy enough for your total project, as we may not be able to match this brick in the future at that price.
There are also concrete pavers available. These are used in high--or heavy-traffic areas--where you may end up parking motor homes, pickups and cars--or other areas like this. These also average 4" x 8" in size,and are made to be laid in sand, just like the ones that you see in the downtown renovation of our sidewalks. So which one is the best for you?
Continue laying your brick until your first row is done from side to side, and make any adjustments to the border of your patio as needed. Periodically, check the level of your brick by using a 4-foot level. To check any larger areas, place your level on top of a 2x4 piece of lumber and slide the 2x4 across the brick. Now you can extend the brick forward until the patio is completed. If you waited until the body was done without cutting any half-brick, well, now is the time to cut and fill, but I would recommend that you cut and fill as you proceed throughout your project. And that is basically how you do it.
If you have a question on bond patterns, I recommend that you come into our office and have one of the salespeople there show you the different types. You have a runnning bond, which is the most common, and looks like the brick pattern you see in many walls of buildings throughout the town. You also have the stacked bond. This is very plain and will have a strong joint pattern, and I normally would not recommend it for large areas. It might also be a good idea to purchase a book or magazine that shows decorative bond patterns, like the herringbone. This is a formal look that is very attractive, but may be too busy in appearance. Also you can make bands using brick throughout your patio area, and fill the middle with stone or even concrete or gravel. Decide which pattern to use by deciding the theme, or appearance, that you want. Again, there are many great books and magazines available that show a myriad of designs, and I would urge you to purchase one during the planning stages of your landscaping.
So, until next week, see ya'!
Originally published in the Daily Courier June 29, 2000