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Clay Brick Pavers for Driveways, Patios, Garden Paths

Boost Curb Appeal and Home Equity

© 2010 by Kelly R. Smith

Photo of Kelly R. Smith

Clay Brick Driveway Pavers; photo courtesy Pacificoutdoorliving


Bathroom ceramic tile pattern


This article was updated on 06/11/21.

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The scope of every home improvement or repair project is different, and in this case it might not be as frugal as a tar and chip, cement, or asphalt surface, but it certainly will not be as much a loss as Obama’s failed economic stimulus package. (Oops, we found out there aren’t any shovel-ready projects out there).

Also, because this construction project is well within the skill set of the typical DIY enthusiast, your labor costs will be zero when you do all the sweat equity yourself.

You’ll find that the price you pay for your pavers vary by style as well as the location where you buy them, but a reasonable ballpark average is $10 to $35 per square foot, if you hire a professional contractor. You can cut that in half doing it yourself and have your own truck to save a delivery fee.

A Great Selection of Paver Shapes

These are available in a variety of sizes and colors. This makes it simple to create some very creative and unique presentations. Although the shape we are most familiar with is rectangular, there are others. Here are a few to choose from:

  • Parallelogram
  • Semi-circular
  • W-shaped
  • Keyhole shaped
  • X-shaped
  • Fan shaped

Popular Clay Brick Geometric Patterns

Using rectangular shaped bricks, there are three basic patterns that are most commonly seen. To make your project more creative, try adding some of the above shapes to create borders, central areas, and more. Here are the basics:

  • Stretcher Bond You might have heard this one called the subway pattern because that’s the way the ceramic tile was typically installed on their walls.

    Of all three, it’s the easiest to install. It is a great choice when your idea is to make the driveway, patio, or path appear longer or wider in one direction than the other.

  • Basketweave You might have heard this one called the English landscaping design. The name is quite descriptive; it looks just like a woven straw basket. It’s got a historical look all its own, and is best used with traditional colors rather than something funky.

    Because of its historic and country estate look, salvaged and repurposed pavers are great for this pattern and that makes it a green building practice.

  • Herringbone This one offers a zig-zag look and it comes in two basic styles commonly. First, it may be set at a 45 degree angle. Secondly, it can be set at a 90 degree angle. What’s so special about the herringbone pattern?

    Because of the way it’s assembled, the weight is nicely and evenly distributed such that it makes it the best choice for driveways, because of the heavy vehicle traffic. Vehicle turning, quickly accelerating, and braking tends to put stress on the pavers in all conceivable directions. It's enough to make one dizzy!

Clay Paver Maintenance Requirements

Paver maintenance is just as critical as it is with any other surfacing material. The key is to conduct regular visual inspections to check for developing pot holes, cracking, or dipping.

If you notice any of these conditions, the affected brick replacement and sub-surface work should be taken right away in order to circumvent further damage. Just like a toothache or a rotten subfloor, it is only going to get worse.

Your clay brick pavers should be swept on a regular basis. This is a convenient opportunity to perform your visual inspection. Occasionally surface pressure washing is recommended (at a low setting), but be aware that this may blow some sand from the joints and it will need to be replaced.



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About the Author:

Photo of Kelly R. SmithKelly R. Smith is an Air Force veteran and was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation, financial, and energy-trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at Considered Opinions Blog where he muses on many different topics.

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