A brick paver driveway already sets your home apart from the neighbors who are using asphalt or poured concrete. You can’t beat the sophistication and added value. And best of all, you can create a design that is uniquely your own. Here are some ideas for brick paving laying patterns for your Sugar Grove, IL, driveway.
Before we delve into patterns, remember that bricks offer lots of options when it comes to sizes, colors (“brick red” is by no means your only choice), and textures, including smooth, brushed, weathered (tumbled), or even polished.
You can go for a subtle and sophisticated look by using larger-format bricks and jointing compounds that closely match the color of the brick. This will bring attention to the texture.
Or, you can transform an ordinary laying pattern into something extraordinary using varied colors. For example, a herringbone patterned driveway can be made more subtle using one color. Or it can become a visual feast using three different colors of brick, with the colors randomly dispersed in the design.
Related: 5 Beautiful Brick Driveway Ideas for Your Burr Ridge, IL, Home
Patterns That Express Your Creativity
Bricks come in various sizes, ranging from the basic 4”x8” brick, which is ubiquitous in traditional American architecture, to more modern shapes and sizes, ranging range from 2-½”x 9-½”. They also come in a jumbo size, 8”x16”. Any of these are suitable for traditional brick-laying patterns.
For a driveway, the following four patterns are most common: stacked bond, running bond, herringbone, or basketweave. These are the classic laying patterns. Any of these patterns can be modified by offsetting a bond course. These patterns are popular because of their simplicity and classic good looks. And again, remember that you can completely change the look of these simple patterns by using different colors of brick, as well as using darker or lighter jointing compounds.
Begin by orienting the bricks at a 45 degree or 90 degree angle to the garage. The orientation of the patterns makes a huge difference in the appearance of your driveway.
First, decide whether you want the brick pattern to go “vertically” or with traffic (visually guiding you toward the garage, following the contours of the driveway) or whether you want the brick pattern to go horizontally to traffic (visually slowing down traffic and making a narrow driveway appear wider).
A herringbone pattern often looks best when the “arrows” are pointed toward the home. Running bond or stacked bond patterns can be laid either way – vertically or horizontally. But because bricks are small and it’s easy to make curves, orienting the bricks with the narrow end toward the home will make negotiating curves easier and require less cutting and shaping along the edges of the driveway.
Related: Choosing Your Brick Patio Color Palette to Compliment Your Burr Ridge, IL, Home
Don’t forget the sides, the beginning, and the end!
A good border will not only ensure the structural integrity of a brick driveway, but it is also a design opportunity to go bold with a dramatically contrasting border. You can also add sophistication with a subtle border.
The entry to your driveway is an important spot because it’s the first thing people see. This is a great opportunity to change up the brick pattern to create a welcoming apron. You can do this by contrasting colors, laying patterns, and even brick sizes.
You can do the same for the area just in front of the garage. Whether you have a grand entry courtyard or a simple parking spot in front of the garage, you can personalize it with dramatic or subtle inlays.
