Outdoor Brick Paving

Bricks have been used to pave for centuries now. They are a classic example of perfect paving practices. The interlocking nature of bricks help do distribute weight in a way that helps bricks stay together, without cracking or weakening. Brick paving is a commonly used decorative method of creating a pavement or hardstanding. Because brick paving has joints in between each brick, drainage happens as necessary, which leads to the added resistance. Brick can be made in one of two ways: either clay or concrete. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and we can install whichever is best for you.

Concrete Brick Paver Advantages

Concrete brick pavers are made from cement, which is poured into a mould, with added aggregate, to form a resilient brick type stone. This means that concrete bricks can be made in all shapes and sizes and colours. These types of bricks have some advantages. The first is that these bricks tend to be less expensive because concrete is relatively cheap. A second advantage is that newer and better concrete is being developed all the time, which means these types of bricks are more innovative. Lastly, concrete bricks are precisely made, so they are much easier to install.

Concrete Brick Paver Disadvantages

Although concrete bricks are a great option for outdoor paving, there are a few disadvantages to using this type of brick. One of these is that concrete brick tends to fade because it is exposed to direct sunlight. And, because of the nature of concrete, these types of bricks should be sealed as this helps to keep the surface intact, not exposing the aggregate underneath. Another disadvantage is that concrete varies by the quality and, depending on who is producing these bricks, they can have shorter or long lifespans, though we try and use the absolute best bricks that we can.

Clay Brick Paver Advantages

Clay bricks are the traditional style bricks that most people think of when they think on brick paving systems. These types of brick offer some great advantaged over other types. The first is that these bricks have better colour retention. Because the colour in these bricks is derived from clay, they hold up better under sunlight. The second advantage is that these bricks require less maintenance, as they are not prone to staining or dirtying. Lastly, these bricks are eco-friendly as they are made from various types of clays, which are all-natural material.

Clay Brick Paver Disadvantages

Although clay bricks are beautiful and amazing choices for your paving systems, it is worth knowing what the disadvantages of these types of brick are as well. One of the big disadvantages is that clay brick is more expensive. Because these are made from naturally occurring material, the cost to produce is higher. These bricks also offer fewer choices in size and colour, because they are not poured or mixed with aggregate. Lastly, even though clay brick holds up very well, they are more prone to chipping and light crumbling, although the solid colouring makes these imperfections less noticeable than concrete brick.