Paving bricks, also known as pavers, have been used in construction for centuries. They are a popular choice for driveways, patios, walkways, and other outdoor hardscaping projects. But why exactly do we use paving bricks? There are several key reasons that make them a preferred material for many applications.

Durability of Paving Bricks

One of the main benefits of paving bricks is their durability. They are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, vehicle loads, harsh weather conditions, and more.

Paving bricks are made from very dense materials like concrete or clay. This gives them high compressive strength, allowing them to handle immense weight without cracking or deforming. The bricks themselves are solid and substantial, usually 2 1⁄4 to 3 1⁄4 inches thick.

Pavers also have very low absorption, meaning they resist water penetration that can cause damage from freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates. And unlike other pavement options, the color extends all the way through paver bricks rather than just being a surface coating. This prevents them from wearing down or fading over time.

Properly installed paving bricks can have a service life of 20-30 years or longer. Their longevity saves money on replacement and makes them a sound long-term investment.

Appearance of Paving Bricks

Beyond just durability, paving bricks are prized for their beautiful appearance. They come in a vast array of colors, textures, patterns, and shapes.

Clay pavers offer quintessential brick aesthetics, with classic reddish hues and an irregular, hand-molded look. But concrete pavers can realistically mimic the appearance of natural stone, cobblestone, granite, and other high-end materials.

With concrete pavers especially, the design options are nearly endless. You can choose from solid colors or blended mixes, smooth or textured faces, large formats or small mosaics, and more. This makes it easy to match paving bricks to your home’s style and create truly custom outdoor living spaces.

Pavers also allow you to incorporate decorative accents like borders, banding, and other ornamental patterns into the pavement surface. This can be done cost-effectively, since the main field remains simple rectangular pavers that are efficient to install.

Customizable Installation of Paving Bricks

A key advantage of paving bricks is the flexibility they offer during installation. The small, interlocking units provide many benefits:

Versatility – Pavers can curve, bend, or turn corners easily to accommodate any design. There is tremendous freedom in laying patterns compared to poured concrete or asphalt.
Adjustability – Their installation is also more forgiving. Bricks can be lifted and re-laid until you achieve the perfect spacing and alignment.
Expansion – Additional pavers are simple to add later for repairs or enlarging the paved surface. The layout does not have to be fully planned in advance.
Drainage – When installed properly over an aggregate base, the joints between pavers allow rainwater to drain through the surface. This prevents puddling, slippery conditions, and damage.
Stability – The segmented units interlock tightly so the finished pavement flexes but does not shift easily. This results in a firm, steady surface underfoot.

Proper sub-base preparation is crucial for long-term durability and optimal drainage. But overall, the modular nature of paving bricks creates versatility during the installation process.

Uses for Paving Bricks

Thanks to their unmatched durability, beauty, and flexibility, paving bricks have become a premier material for all types of residential and commercial hardscapes, including:

Driveways

Pavers make an elegant yet strong choice for driveway paving. Their strength withstands vehicles while also providing an elegant arrival experience. Classic herringbone patterns or decorative borders can elevate the driveway’s style.

Patios

Paver patios create cozy, comfortable spaces for outdoor living and entertaining. Choices like tumbled stone-look pavers underfoot provide sophistication with integral slip resistance.

Pool Decks

The non-slip texture, durability, and drainage capacity of pavers work beautifully around swimming pools. Rich colors and shapes lend high-end poolside style.

Walkways

Linking landscape features with meandering walkways highlights the beauty of pavers. Curving paths, mosaic strip borders, and colors suit the surroundings.

Commercial Applications

Paving bricks hold up well under heavy loads and constant use at restaurants, shopping plazas, hotel pool decks, and other commercial sites. They offer sophisticated, urban appeal with strength.

Permeable Pavers

Specialized paver types with wider joints and open-graded sub-bases allow rainfall to permeate through. This reduces runoff and pollution while recharging groundwater.

Roof Decks

Concrete pavers can serve as ballast for green roof systems. They also create usable, attractive rooftop patios with fire-resistance, strength, and drainage.

Pros and Cons of Paving Bricks

Paving bricks offer significant benefits, but also have some inherent drawbacks to consider:

Pros

Extremely durable and long-lasting
Vast design options for customized style
Interlocking design stays firmly in place
Allow rainwater drainage between units
Modular nature simplifies installations
Pavers match surrounding hardscape materials
Can be removed and reused over time
Cooler underfoot than poured concrete

Cons

Higher initial cost than poured concrete or asphalt
Regular cleaning required to keep appearance fresh
Can shift and settle slightly over many years
Weed growth must be managed in joints
Not an entirely smooth surface for wheeled activities
Snow shoveling/clearing between pavers takes time

Overall, paving bricks present an outstanding value despite their higher price point. When properly installed and maintained, they offer decades of unwavering beauty, performance, and style customization.

Types of Paving Bricks

Two main categories of paving bricks exist: clay pavers and concrete pavers. Within each group are many options to suit specific tastes, settings, and budgets.

Clay Pavers

Clay remains the traditional material used to manufacture paving bricks, tracing back thousands of years. Modern clay pavers provide the recognizable, comforting brick look but with greater precision and durability.

Solid – These classic bricks have solid red or brown clay all the way through. The traditional squared shape with a textured, hand-molded appearance offers timeless appeal.
Perforated – Perforations in the brick face lighten their weight and allow for grass growth. The openings provide a more porous surface.
Flashed – Flashed clay pavers have bold swirls of contrasting colors across the face for dramatic style. They bring modern flair to traditional bricks.
Tumbled – A finishing process tumbles the bricks in machines to wear the edges and soften the sharp lines. This lends an aged, softer look.

Clay pavers are heavier and more brittle than concrete options but provide unmistakable brick charm. They work well for driveways, walkways, patios, and historic sites.

Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers retain the same modular installation and structural capabilities of clay but with even more design flexibility and lightweight practicality. Popular styles include:

Tumbled Stone-Look

These mimic the appearance of natural stone with irregular shapes, colors, and edges. The realistic look comes at a fraction of the cost of real stone. The tumbled finish and varied sizes scatter light and shadow for added rustic elegance.

Cobblestone-Look

Recreating the rounded, bumpy texture of cobblestone on concrete pavers produces an attractive blend of old-world and contemporary allure. Colors can be solid or varied mixes within each unit.

Large Format

Concrete pavers measuring 12” or 24” on each side have a more modern, expansive look. These oversized units install quickly and create a striking pattern when used with contrasting borders or accents.

Interlocking Shape

Beveled edges that interlock and geometric shapes allow the pavers to fit snugly together. This enhances structural integrity for heavy loads without any shifting. But shapes can vary from squares and rectangles to hexagons, circles, and more.

Permeable

Some concrete pavers contain openings filled with aggregate. Rainwater trickles between the joints and stones into an underground drainage system. These specialized units manage stormwater runoff while maintaining a decorative appearance.

Thanks to advancements in molds and coloring techniques, concrete offers nearly limitless possibilities—from bold graphics to intricate mosaics to faux stone realism and beyond.

How Are Paving Bricks Made?

While their end appearances vary widely, paving bricks go through a similar creation process:

Clay

Natural clay is extracted from quarries and mines. The raw clay is refined to remove debris and impurities.
The clay is mixed with water to reach an ideal malleable yet firm consistency.
The clay is pressed into shaped molds under high pressure of up to 15,000 pounds per square inch.
The molded bricks are air-dried or baked in high-temperature kilns to harden them.
Additional finishing steps might involve glazing, coloring, tumbling, and more.
The finished clay pavers are ready for packing and shipping.

Concrete

Concrete bricks begin with a mix of cement, aggregate, pigments, and water.
The concrete flows into molds of various shapes and textures. It starts the initial hardening process here.
After molding, the fresh pavers move onto a vibration table that further settles and compacts the concrete through agitation.
The units harden fully in a curing chamber with controlled temperature and humidity.
Finally, surface treatments might be applied, like tumbling or washing, before shipping.

Pavers may contain up to 35% recycled content, depending on the manufacturer. Reclaimed chunks of hardened concrete are ground and incorporated into new concrete and clay bricks as aggregates.

Installation Process for Paving Bricks

Installing paving bricks takes more time and effort than pouring slab concrete or asphalt. But it allows for much more precision, customization, and artistry. The general installation process includes:

Excavation – The area is excavated 6”-8” deep to accommodate a gravel sub-base beneath the pavers.
Sub-base – Compacted aggregate fill material is installed and leveled as the firm base. A layer of sand typically tops the gravel to fine-tune adjustments.
Screed pipes – Pipe guides are laid on the sand and leveled to follow the slope grade. These help keep pavers at the proper finished height as the area is filled in.
Lay pavers – Starting at right angles from an edge or border, the pavers are manually placed one-by-one per the desired pattern. Colored or textured accent units create decorative effects within the field.
Compact & fill joints – A plate compactor is run over the pavers and additional sand swept into the joints for firm locking.
Edge restraints – Edging materials are added along the perimeter to keep the pavers contained neatly. Plastic or metal edging can be used.
Seal & protect – When installation is complete, the paver surface can be sealed to enhance color vibrancy and prevent staining.

Paving bricks allow for artistic creativity during layout and patterns not achievable with any other hardscape material. With care and patience, an imaginative, durable paved space can be brought to life.

Maintaining and Cleaning Paving Bricks

Like most outdoor building materials, paving bricks will look their best when properly maintained. Recommended care includes:

Remove any weeds or grass growing in joints quickly when they first appear. Use weed killing sprays or boiling water rather than digging them out.
Sweep or blow debris like leaves off pavers routinely to prevent surface staining over time. Don’t allow organic matter to sit.
Blot spills and rinse residues from oils, grease, food items, and other substances as soon as possible to avoid permanent marks.
Inspect joint sand between pavers occasionally and top up any areas that have eroded or settled. Well-filled joints prevent shifting.
Re-seal paved surfaces every 1-3 years as needed depending on traffic. Look for worn areas where the protective sealer has thinned.
Clean thoroughly every 1-2 years using cleaners made specifically for pavers. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that could damage the surface. Rinse thoroughly.
Remove snow carefully with plastic shovels without scraping the pavers. Use melting agents that won’t harm the bricks.

With regular, attentive care, the beauty of paving bricks will endure for many decades. Any maintenance requires minimal effort relative to the longevity attained.

Costs of Paving Bricks

Paving bricks fall on the higher end of upfront costs compared to poured concrete or asphalt paving:

The national average installed cost for clay pavers ranges from $10-20 per square foot. Expect to pay around $15,000-30,000 for a typical paver driveway.
Concrete pavers average $8-15 per square foot installed. For a basic paver driveway, budget $12,000-22,000 on average.
Colors, textures, patterns, special shapes, and labor will add to costs. Complex designs or stone-look pavers push the pricing above these ranges.

However, the exceptional longevity of paving bricks makes them a worthwhile investment that pays off substantially over time. Replacement, repairs, and maintenance are minimal for decades after installation. Their customizable style also adds significant value to outdoor living areas and curb appeal.

Should You Choose Paving Bricks?

If your priorities for outdoor pavement include lasting quality, artistry, drainage performance, and high-end curb appeal, paving bricks are an optimal choice well worth their initial cost premium.

Their interlocking modular design, combined with durable materials like concrete and clay, makes pavers an exceptionally stable, long-wearing option for driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks, and commercial sites.

With practically endless possible colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and layout designs, paving bricks can fit any style from classic to contemporary. They bring your unique personality and vision to life in truly custom outdoor living spaces.

Pavers have unmatched strengths and benefits that make them a go-to recommendation for quality-focused property owners. Their customer satisfaction ratings are very high. Families can enjoy beautiful, distinctive paver projects for generations.

While requiring a greater upfront budget than asphalt or concrete, pavers are an investment that returns substantially more joy, functionality, and pride over decades of use. Paving bricks let you pave with purpose, for lasting positive impacts on your home and outdoor lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paving Bricks

Paving bricks offer gorgeous, durable outdoor surfaces but also come with questions. Here are helpful answers to some of the top FAQs about paving bricks.

Are paving bricks a good investment?

Yes, high-quality paving bricks represent an outstanding investment due to their exceptionally long service life. With proper installation and care, clay and concrete pavers provide a beautiful, functional paved surface for 20-30 years or longer before needing replacement. Their longevity offsets the higher initial cost.

How long do paving bricks last?

You can expect 20-30 years or more from high quality paving bricks. With standing the test of time, they end up being more cost-effective than poured concrete or asphalt paving that requires replacement sooner.

What is better, concrete or clay pavers?

Concrete pavers are more affordable and offer greater design variety. Clay pavers provide unmistakable classic brick charm. Performance is similar when properly installed. Choose based on your budget, design goals, and look you wish to achieve.

How much do paving bricks cost?

On average, clay pavers cost $10-20 per square foot installed while concrete pavers range from $8-15 per square foot. Factors like patterns, textures, and labor impact final costs. Paving bricks carry an upfront premium but their longevity provides long-term value.

How long does paver installation take?

It typically takes 2-4 days for a crew to fully excavate, install the base materials, place the pavers, and complete finishing steps. Simple layouts can sometimes be installed in 1-2 days. The modular nature requires more labor than poured concrete or asphalt.

Can you install pavers over existing concrete?

Yes, pavers can be installed over existing concrete. The concrete must be in good condition and sloped properly. A bedding layer of sand is placed on top before installing the pavers. This allows a new paver surface without demolition.

Should pavers be sealed?

Sealing is highly recommended to prevent fading and stains, especially for clay pavers. The sealer enhances the color and provides protection from weather, oils, grease, and more. Reapply annually or every few years as needed based on wear.

How often should pavers be cleaned?

Plan to thoroughly clean pavers about once per year. Sweeping or blowing debris like leaves regularly, spot cleaning spills quickly, and weed control are also part of routine care. Proper cleaning maintains the beauty.

What is the best sand for between pavers?

Polymeric sand is the top choice. This very fine sand contains polymers that harden when wet. This locks the pavers together firmly and deters weeds and ants between the joints.

Conclusion

Paving bricks have remained popular for good reason—they deliver lasting beauty, durability, and custom style for driveways, patios, walkways, and more. Their interlocking modular design handles traffic and weather while offering creative layout options not found with poured concrete or asphalt.

With inviting aesthetics, slip-resistance, drainage capabilities, and long service life, paving bricks

Paving Bricks and Why We Use Them