The Best Brick Pavers

Inquire About Styles and Costs

• Check building supply and lawn care outlets to get an idea of the sizes, styles, colors and patterns for paving bricks. This will also give you a rough idea of price. Check masonry supply yards, which sell in larger quantities. Compare types compatible with your need for a walkway, a patio or a driveway. Common brick sizes work best for walks, but larger sizes and different styles may fit best on your patio. Compare materials to make sure what you choose will hold up under the intended use. Some bricks are designed especially for building facing, others specifically for paving. Get the right kind.

Pick Color

• Traditional bricks are some shade of red, but even reds can vary from a deep maroon to very light and almost pink. Match the color to your house; a greenish brick-paved patio might look strange with a house that's white and trimmed in red and dark gray. Modern bricks, especially those made of concrete, come in a wide array of colors to coordinate with almost any color scheme.

Check Durability

• Think about durability. A garden walkway and a driveway will face vastly different wearing conditions. Ask suppliers how prone bricks are to crack under pressure or how subject the material is to water and freeze/thaw cycles. Some concretes are very porous and are easily damaged by water infiltration and freezing. Driveway paving must be able to withstand heavy weights. Solid fired bricks hold up best in paving conditions.

Used Bricks

• Consider used bricks. These often can be obtained more cheaply. Sometimes people or builders tearing down old buildings will give them away or sell them at low cost. They also can be very attractive, especially around older and more established homes. Check them for damage, however; many will have small splits or fissures that can separate under duress. Also these will be building bricks and may be suitable for garden paths and sidewalks but not for heavy weights.