How to Build a Beautiful Brick Walkway or Patio

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Skill Level: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $100+

The first step in building a brick walkway or patio is picking out the right brick for your project and budget; not all bricks are alike. Paving bricks are harder than standard bricks because they're fired at a higher temperature, making them more suitable for paving. When you buy new brick, you know what you're getting.

However, when you buy reclaimed brick, confirm you're buying brick pavers. Pavers are often larger and sometimes have a shiny surface (especially the older ones) and may have lettering imprinted on them, but not always. If in doubt, knock two bricks together. Pavers will have a bit of ring to them. Softer bricks will make more of a thud.

You'll also find a variety of colors, as well as tumbled and beveled bricks. Concrete pavers, though not the same thing as brick, come in similar shapes and sizes and are installed in much the same way, so you may want to consider them.

Tips for Planning a Brick Walkway or Patio

Many people make brick patios too small because they underestimate how much space they'll need for furniture. To avoid this mistake, take the furniture you plan to put on your new patio and place it where you think you'll want it to be. Next, walk around the furniture and use it like you usually would. When you feel comfortable with the arrangement, gauge how large the space needs to be. Then use spray paint to mark the perimeter of the patio.

Brick walkways should be at least 3 feet wide, but a 4-foot-wide path is even more user-friendly. Use a walkway to connect entrances (to your home and garage, for instance) and different areas of the yard. A brick walkway can unify spaces outdoors the same way flooring does indoors.

Bricks, BHG.com, Better Homes and Gardens, walkway, path

Tips for Installing Brick Walkways and Patios

Installing brick walkways or patios is one of the more laborious outdoor projects you can attempt, so approach it realistically. Many homeowners see a patio or path as a weekend project. Often that's overly optimistic. If it's your goal to lay a brick walkway or patio in a weekend, you need to have all the planning done beforehand and do all you can to reduce labor. Rent a tiller to loosen the soil, so it's easier to excavate, use a vibratory compactor rather than a hand tamper, and have a masonry saw on hand for easy brick cutting. When materials are delivered, place them as close to the work site as possible. And if you can recruit help, do so.

The key to a long-lasting brick surface is laying a proper base. Scraping off the lawn and then laying brick over a couple of inches of sand is a sure way to create an uneven, unstable surface. A sound installation consists of 4 to 6 inches of base rocks and 1 inch of sand topped by bricks. That's about 8 to 10 inches total that you need to excavate below the level you want the finished brick walkway or patio to be.

You also need to excavate several inches beyond where the edges will be. Avoid digging too deep and having to backfill; this can create pockets of soft soil that can settle, leading to dips in the paving. If you have to backfill spots, compact them before laying the base.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Compactor, hand or vibratory
Rake
Plastic edging
Stakes
Straight board
Mallet
Chisel and hammer, or masonry saw

Materials

Base of soil and gravel
Sand
Landscape fabric (optional)
1-inch PVC pipe
Bricks

Instructions

Spread the Base

Spread the paver base evenly and pack it thoroughly with a compactor. A hand tamper is adequate for small areas, but a vibratory compactor means far less work for large areas.

It's best to apply half the base, compact it, then spread the rest and compact it again. To achieve a smooth final surface, use a rake to fill in low spots with more base, shave off high spots, and compact the base until the entire area is smooth and even. Laying landscape fabric over the compacted base before adding sand gives the installation more stability.
Add Edging

Use plastic edging to define the perimeter of your paving area, whether straight edges or curves. Hold it in place with stakes.
Level the Sand

Where you want to begin laying brick, set two lengths of 1-inch PVC pipe a couple of feet apart. Then add about 1 inch of sand over this area. Slide a straight board across the pipes to create a smooth bed of sand 1 inch thick. Do not compact it.
Lay Your Brick

Place bricks one at a time in the desired pattern. As you work, use a level to spot bricks that are slightly higher than surrounding bricks. Tap them with a mallet to set them lower into the sand. If a brick sets slightly lower, remove it, add a bit of sand, and replace it. Continue placing bricks in this fashion, saving the edge pieces for last.
Add Finishing Touches

You can use a chisel and hammer to cut brick, but using a masonry saw is far easier. Rent one at a tool rental outlet. Measure each brick piece individually, make the cut, and place the brick with the cut end on the outer edge. Then spread a light layer of sand over the paving. If you still have the compactor, use it on top of the brick (with the light layer of sand still present). Sweep the sand around, so it fills the small gaps between bricks.

Bonus: Choosing Brick Patterns

You can use any of several patterns when you lay brick. Classic patterns include basketweave, running bond, stack bond, and herringbone. Your choice is a matter of personal preference, though the designs that can give you a straight edge without cutting (basket weave and stack bond) might require a bit less work depending on the shape of the area you wish to pave.