How to Design a Layout for Brick Pavers
You have a lot of choices when designing the hardscape for your yard. Hardscape or the permanently constructed patios, walkways and fixtures in your yard, should keep with the overall design style of your home. Choose materials that are consistent with the rest of your home. If you live in a traditional home, particularly one constructed with brick accents, pavers are an easy choice. Brick pavers can add charm and character to your patio, yard or driveway. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose a foundation for your pavers. According to the Tom Silva with This Old House, you can lay pavers directly over concrete, assuming it is already level, or choose to lay the pavers in compacted sand with a border that has been mortared to keep it from shifting. Mortar creates a more solid foundation and will help to avoid shifting of the bricks. However, mortar also has a tendency to crack over time.
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Measure your available space. Evaluate trees and other hardscape that will need to be removed before the brick is set. Determine the primary use of the space. If you are planning to create a brick patio, consider whether the space will be for entertaining or for privacy. When planning walkways, consider leaving enough space for landscaped borders. You will need to excavate roughly 6 to 8 inches below ground to lay your pavers.
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Choose a color and style of paver. Brick pavers come in a number of sizes, shapes and colors. Pick up a number of samples from the store. Look at the pavers in various lighting throughout the day and from different angles. A paver that you liked in the store may look very different in your yard.
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Pick your landscaping. Determining where your trees and shrubs are to be placed will help you determine irrigation needs. You may need to run irrigation line underground before setting the bricks into place. Keep in mind that leaks from irrigation may cause your bricks to shift, so make sure that this job is done by a professional if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself.
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Add some extra features. One of the greatest characteristics of pavers is their flexibility. You can use pavers to construct a fireplace, extra seating, raised planter beds or even a water feature. Consider adding these items when planning your space.
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Draw a detailed picture of the space. Include measurements, landscaping and any other features you plan to include. A precise drawing will help you to accurately estimate your supplies. Ground Trades Exchange offers guidelines on spacing for furniture: 12 feet in diameter for the average patio table and 20 square feet for the average grill cart.
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Tips & Warnings
Use colored pencils to highlight the details of your drawing. Draw the landscaping and any furniture, as well. Seeing a detailed visual of the space will help you to make any final tweaks to the plan.
