A Beginner’s Guide to Designing a Low-Maintenance Brick Patio

Patios can be a great addition to any home and they can provide an incredibly versatile space that can be used for a variety of different purposes, such as alfresco dining and outdoor cooking. The timeless appeal and rustic charm of bricks have made them one of the most popular materials when it comes to designing and building patios. Many homeowners also opt for brick patios because they are relatively low maintenance, making them easy to upkeep and ensuring long-term enjoyment. In this post, we take a closer look at some of the considerations that you should take into account when designing a brick patio.

Choosing the Right Type of Brick

Not all bricks are made equal and there are some that are more suited to certain applications than others. Given that patios are typically exposed to the elements, it is crucial for you to ensure that you choose high quality, weather resistant bricks for your patio to ensure that it is able to withstand the weather conditions.

Additionally, for optimal low maintenance, you will also want to opt for colours and textures that require minimal upkeep and that age well over time. Neutral and earthy tones are often best for such applications as they blend naturally with the outdoor environment, making imperfections less obvious.

Proper Base Preparation

A common mistake that many homeowners make when they opt to DIY their brick patios is failing to adequately prepare the base. This can result in an uneven finished product that may not be visually appealing. To avoid this, ensure that you properly excavate and grade the ground beneath your intended patio location to ensure that it is well-compacted and even. You should also ensure that the ground is properly graded to ensure proper drainage.

Minimising Weed Growth

Removing weeds is one of the most common maintenance tasks that you will need to do when it comes to brick patios. For a truly low-maintenance patio, you will want to minimise weed growth as much as possible to reduce the frequency with which you will need to get rid of the weeds. One strategy that you can use to reduce weed growth is to place a layer of landscape fabric or geotextile beneath the base. You can also opt for jointing materials such as polymeric sand that will harden over time and resist weed invasion in the joints between each brick.

Getting Your Bricks from a Trusted Supplier

When it comes to ensuring the quality of your finished patio, the best way to do so is to ensure that you build it with bricks from a supplier that you trust. Fulton Brickyard is a premier retailer and supplier of bricks and paving supplies in Melbourne and we have been serving the needs of local homeowners and businesses for decades. Our product offerings include Boral bricks, pavers, pier caps, concrete sleepers and much more. Get a free quote today for all of your building and construction supply needs!

Image Source: Geotextile Membranes