You may be thinking about adding a brick driveway to your property. This is likely because the timeless look will complement so many different architectural styles, building materials, and design decisions out there. Considering brick pavers but aren’t sure where to start? As often as we may see brick driveways, we may not know much about them at all. We’re here with the answers so you can decide whether a brick driveway is right for you and go into the process knowing much more than you did before.
What is a Brick Driveway?
To understand brick driveways, we must first understand brick pavers. They’re made of compressed clay and are used in walkways, patios, roads, and yes, driveways. Compared to typical brick walls, they are much smoother and have no holes. In some cases, they may even just be concrete that is dyed to look like natural brick. All of this makes them ideal for hardscape use.
How Brick Pavers Are Made
To make natural brick pavers, clay is cast in rectangular molds and then baked at high temperatures. This helps get that smooth surface on each side that is ideal for pavers. They can also be made by extruding clay through a die, which creates a longer brick material that can be cut into individual bricks for further use. Bricks manufactured this way are often called extruded or wire-cut bricks and they will have more slip-resistance than the other method.
Laying Down a Brick Driveway
Before anything else, the area must be prepared. This involves removing existing structures, grass, roads, landscaping, and whatever else may be in the area. Once clear, the area is then excavated to the proper depth for your bricks. It’s important that it’s also graded to create enough of a slope for drainage. Many recommend installing geotextile fabric before laying the base. You can then pour bed sand, level, and lay down your brick pavers. On the edges, you may use concrete or mortar to create a sturdier edge that is more durable than just using sand.
Pros & Cons
With a brick driveway, you get a classic style that has lasted through the ages. This leaves you with a natural color that is stain-resistant and will hold up. However, compared to other building materials, bricks have less color, shape, and size variation, so it may not be appropriate if you’re looking for a very specific style.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
Tags: architecture, driveways, masonry