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Brick Patterns for your Hardscaping Ideas

11/8/2013

8 Comments

 
PictureCommon Brick Patterns
Last week we talked a little bit about bricks – the good old kiln-fired clay kind, and their use in hardscaping applications.

The main focus of last week’s post was to discuss orientation of bricks – the way they’re set lengthwise, height-wise etc.  This week I want to talk a little bit about the patterns that can be created using bricks.

Before we begin discussing the patterns, I do want to revisit brick dimensions.  As we’ve established, a basic brick measures 4” x 8” x 2.5”.  A key element to recognize here is that the width (4”) is exactly half of the length (8”).  That sets up perfectly for some of the basic patterns.

Bricks used for paving are often called “paver” bricks (not to be confused with paver stones – a totally separate material).  Paver bricks are designed to measure a true 4” x 8”, allowing for tight joints with no spacing in dryset applications.

Why is it important to note this?  Because there are other brick dimensions that are meant to be used in wet-set applications where joint widths come into play.  “Modular” bricks measure approximately 3 5/8” x 7 5/8”, allowing for
joint spacing, and “standard” bricks measure roughly 3 5/8” x 8” allowing for joints in one dimension.  Additional sizes are also available based on your design and installation.  I’ll get back to these size bricks later in the post.

PictureA Custom Running Bond Pattern
As for patterns, the most basic and perhaps versatile pattern is the running bond. Bricks are set length-wise with continuous seams.  This pattern lends itself to bricks that may be slightly irregular in dimension, reclaimed bricks, or flatwork when modular or standard bricks are used rather than paver bricks.  As long as the width is consistent, you don’t have to worry about the length matching up exactly.  I also like to use this pattern in curved pathways, where we can set our running seams to mirror the curve of the path.
 
Similar to the running bond, the jack-on-jack allows for continuous seams running not only lengthwise, but across as well.  The important part to keep in mind when setting this pattern is to make sure all of your lines in both directions line up and stay straight.  You’re basically creating a grid of bricks, and the eye will pick up any slight imperfections to the grid.

PictureJack on Jack
The next two standard patterns are the basketweave and the herringbone.  The basketweave consists of two bricks placed horizontally set next to two bricks placed vertically.  All of your bricks will be set in pairs, with each pair of bricks running on one direction surrounded by four pairs of bricks running the opposite direction.  Again, it’s important to make sure your brick dimensions are true (two 4” = one 8”), and that your lines all stay straight.

The last of the basic patterns is the herring bone.  There’s a variety of ways of describing this pattern – I’ve always thought of it as sets of corresponding steps running vertically and horizontally.  The truth of the matter is the chart at the top will probably do the pattern more justice than me trying to describe it verbally.  It’s not an overly complicated pattern, but again it’s important to make sure the brick dimensions are true, and the lines stay straight.  I like this pattern because the eye is drawn not just to the linear x and y axis, but also to the diagonal nature of the bricks and the way they’re set.

Now, about the standard and modular bricks I mentioned earlier. As you can tell from the patterns and descriptions, it is important that our brick dimensions match up to keep the patterns straight and true.  Two 4” dimensions = one 8” dimension.  That works great for a dryset application when there are no mortar joints between bricks.  
 
But what happens when we add a mortar joint to the end of each brick? Let’s try it and find out – two 4” bricks, plus one ½” mortar joint (between the two bricks) equals 8.5”. One 8” brick with no joint equals 8” Not equal.

That’s where the modular bricks come in.  Remember the modular dimensions?  3 5/8” x 7 5/8”.  If you’re setting the bricks in a wet-set fashion, and plan to include mortar joints it’s important you take this into account when purchasing your bricks. Let’s try the same example as above, but using modular bricks this time.  Two 3 5/8” bricks, plus one 3/8” mortar joints equals 7 5/8”.  One 7 5/8” brick with no joint equals 7 5/8”. Ba-da-boom, good to go.

So that’s about it, perhaps a bit too much math there at the end for a Friday morning, but that’s what we’re here for, right?  Even if you’re not quite sure what pattern to go with, or how all those bricks will fit together in a nice clean pattern, give us a call or drop us a line.  We’ll be glad to help!

8 Comments
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8/8/2018 04:38:30 pm

I liked your idea about the herringbone bricks and that though they are not an overly complicated pattern, they should be aligned properly to make sure they achieve the best look. Mom likes things that are a bit different from the usual, so I think she will like this for the hardscaping. This is perfect because she is currently debating on the kind of materials to use for the project. I will suggest this one to her.

Reply
Mia Evans link
5/13/2022 10:30:20 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that bricks would be set length-wise which would make it look like an irregular dimension. I would love that kind of touch for our patio once we hire brick paver restoring services this year. It will help make the property we bought seem rustic which will be our vacation house in the years to come.

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Afton Jackson link
5/16/2022 11:29:18 pm

Modular bricks sound like amazing materials to work with. Since we're trying our absolute best to give our landscape a completely new look, I can see how this can really affect the way we work around the property. I'll ask a landscaping expert to help us use a material like this to great effect so we can get the exact look we want.

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    Clark Kent Creations, LLC is a full-service landscape construction company servicing the Pennsylvania communities of Delaware County, Chester County, The Main Line, and the University City, Art Museum, and Manayunk/Roxborough neighborhoods of Philadelphia.  In addition to this blog page, additional information regarding the company and our services can be found on the subsequent pages of the site.
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    Clark Linderman is the president of Clark Kent Creations, LLC, a landscape construction company based in Swarthmore, PA.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.  In addition to his passion for all things outdoors, he counts Michigan football, Phillies baseball, Superman memorabilia, Memphis R&B music, and good craft brews among his many interests.  He currently resides in Swarthmore with his wife, Sheila, two sons, his dog Krypto, and a really, really messy garage full of work supplies and toys.

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    Swarthmore, PA
    Design and Construction to Maximize Your Outdoor Experience

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