Choosing the right pavers for your patio is a big decision. You want to choose pavers that will suit your style, meet your practical needs, and stay within your budget. While the choice isn’t always easy once you narrow down the options to a few finalists, here’s how to choose brick pavers for your brick patio in Canton, MI area.
Related: How to Select the Right Brick Pavers for a Macomb, MI, Outdoor Kitchen
Protecting Your Investment
Some new landscape projects are centered on a budget while others focus on a more long-term concern—ensuring that the investment being made today is a wise one. That’s why a focus on premium materials that are built to last and may have a warranty are essential considerations. Professional, expert installation is another consideration; a licensed hardscape contractor will do the job right the first time and ensure a gorgeously built, long-lasting surface that will serve as the backdrop for a range of outdoor activities.
As for your paver options, the look of brick may seem relatively ordinary to some, but to many, they are considered amazingly versatile and can be adapted to a huge number of design styles, from historical homes to ultra-modern ones.
Selecting Materials
Bricks come in clay or concrete. Both are beautiful and long-lasting, with a few differences.
Clay has higher compressive strength and is less water-absorbent than concrete. A good sealant will prevent water infiltration and keep clay or concrete bricks from succumbing to the freeze-thaw cycle.
Some concrete bricks can be installed on a permeable base, which will keep your patio drier after heavy rains.
You are likely to find more color and size options with concrete bricks.
Style Choices
Most bricks come in the traditional “brick shape” in various sizes; you can also get round bricks, scallop-shaped bricks, and other shapes, which may be ideal for special applications.
Brick sizes make a big difference in design. Choose smaller, slender bricks for curved applications such as a rounded patio or curved walkway patterns, or decorative inlays; and larger, beefier bricks for spacious patios or driveways. Large bricks can speed up the process; however, using large bricks in small spaces can visually expand the space, while small bricks can make large patios feel more intimate.
When choosing colors, take design cues from the home. If you have a brick-sided home, avoid trying to match the patio pavers to it. This could instantly give your outdoor space a “too much!” feel. Instead, go for a complementary color, and mix up the sizes to give your outdoor spaces—and your home—their own character. For example, choose the largest brick pavers available in a darker or lighter color if your home features traditionally sized red brick siding. This pairing could be a great way to showcase the different looks and feel of various types of brick.
Also, consider monotone vs. multiple colors. You could blend up to three brick colors randomly on-site with stunning effect, but this may feel too busy for you, in which case you could opt for a simpler monotone design.
Lighter colors generally make space feel larger, and darker colors generally make space feel smaller.
Consider the sun exposure: Dark brick could become very hot in exposed areas, and light bricks can visually illuminate a heavily treed patio.
Also, consider the surrounding vegetation. Light bricks tend to stand out while darker bricks will blend in.
In general, mid-toned brick pavers are a good choice that would give you the best of both worlds. Look into taking home samples and see them in sunlight and rain (or hose them down). Moisture can enhance a brick’s colors, and you might find that a shade that looks great dry suddenly becomes too bold when wet.
Related: Ideas From Masonry Contractors That Complement Brick Pavers in Canton, MI
