Design Ideas For Bricks & Pavers

Basics

• All pavers require foundation and drainage planning. Plan for a stable base and paver detailing. Typically, several inches of compacted gravel and sand over a layer of geotechnical fabric stabilize soil, prevent weeds and permit drainage.

  A detailed plan includes slope and drainage instructions, particularly for large areas. Subsurface drainage, such as perforated drain tiles and dry wells, will balance out wet areas. Some manufacturers provide modular proprietary subsurface mountings for pavers as a permeable surface over an impermeable surface, such as roofs or concrete. Pavers either interlock or install adjacent to each other according to the design plan and manufacturer's instructions.

Paver Walkways

• Brick or paver walkways designed for foot traffic are flat, gently sloped or terraced with risers and treads, depending on site conditions. Patterns of color, shape or repetition express the design possibilities of pavers. Pavers may be diagonal, random or in other patterns, particularly when working with irregular shapes. Edging provides its own distinctive pattern visually and physically. Raised edging, similar to curbstones, uses pavers installed perpendicular to the field to define an edge. Hand-cut shapes add a custom touch to the field, edge or both.

Paver Patios

• Paver patios are large hardscaped surfaces. Patios that include landscaping or planters use pavers to make modular and surface counterpoints to the irregular organic shapes found in nature. Paver designed landscapes or landscape elements must take into account drainage and movement that planting may bring. Where drainage is impractical, design patios with a slight slope of two percent to prevent unwanted pooling of water or moss growth. Sloped site patio design should incorporate sloped sites with terraced areas defined by landscape blocks, retaining walls or pavers.

Paver Driveways

• Paver driveways accommodate traffic and heavy point loads of cars and truck tires. Driveways require a thicker base of compressed gravel and sand than the foundation for walkways or patios. Additionally the traction of tires on the pavers restrict the type of pavers to the size and type designed to prevent or resist movement or damage. Periodically maintain and clean, reposition or replace damaged pavers. Design driveways to allow for future maintenance.

Paver Patterns

• Brick and paver shapes are rectangular, square, hexagonal, circular or irregular. Color varies among different types of pavers and bricks. Textures vary from rough to smooth based on the designed wear characteristics and paver material. Patterns include rowlock, diagonals, right angles or herringbone. Define space with patterns of linear rows of brick surrounding a field of rowlock pavers.