7 Classic Brick Patterns for Garden Paths and Patios
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by Mike on 13 March 2009
Planning your first garden path or patio project? Here's a guide to the patterns commonly used when constructing brick paths and patios. Remember... these are just the basics. All patterns can be tweaked, modified, or combined to create your own one of a kind design.
1Stacked Bond (Jack-on-Jack)
The stacked bond (or jack-on-jack) stacks bricks one atop the other with all joints aligning. While simple vertical and horizontal alignments require minimal cutting, diagonal patterns will require custom cuts along the border of your path or patio.
2Running Bond
In the running bond, the narrow ends of bricks butt against one another, with the resulting joint falling in the middle of the bricks in the next and previous rows (think of the pattern on most brick walls). This simple and sturdy pattern can be set on the diagonal or adapted to form gentle curves.
3Flemish Bond
While similar in appearance to the running bond, the Flemish bond replaces every other brick with a half brick. Although the addition of half bricks requires a considerable amount of cutting, this pattern can be combined with other patterns (such as the running bond) to achieve an appealing effect with fewer cuts.
4Basket Weaves
Basket Weave
In the traditional basket weave, pairs of bricks alternate directions to form a pattern resembling a ... well ... woven basket.
Half Basket Weave
In the half basket, two parallel bricks are followed by a single brick running in the opposite direction.
Basket on Edge
The basket on edge follows the same concept as the traditional basket, but with each individual square composed of three bricks set on edge. The result is a thicker patio or path that requires more material to construct than the traditional basket and half basket.
5Herringbone
One of the most popular patterns, the herringbone's trademark zigzag is instantly recognizable. The one downside to this classic design... it often requires more cuts than other patterns.
6Spanish Bond (Pinwheel)
In the Spanish Bond, four outer bricks form a square with an open center. The center can be filled with a half brick or left open, allowing grass or ground covers to grow through each hole. While the squares are often aligned in a grid, they can also be offset for a unique look.
7Della Robbia Weave
The Della Robbia pattern provides a dramatic, lattice-like effect. The many small, square holes formed by this pattern can be filled with a cut bricks or left open for grass, ground cover, or moss to grow through.
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Comments
RenoTom on 7 April 2009
That della robbia's pretty nifty looking. Never seen that before.
on 25 April 2009
How do you start the Herringbone layout
']['ennessee']['ony on 11 May 2009
The Herringbone on the right side looks fairly easy to start, as it's squared against the border/wall. Looks like you'll need some half bricks to start with, then just follow the pattern pictured.
The first Herringbone pattern on the left, hmm, yeah that one's confusing. Looks like you need to take a bunch of full bricks, and lop off one corner at a 45 degree angle. In this case, cutting corners is necessary. :) You'll use those corners the same way you used the 'half bricks' in the other pattern pictured on the right.
Anyway, once you have your half bricks or corners cut, just find a straight line to begin laying at and follow the picture/pattern.
pig on 15 May 2009
nice patterns