Brick Paver Patterns

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Add rich, classic detailing to your outdoor walks, patio and driveway with clay brick pavers or concrete pavers. Choose the pavement pattern that compliments your personal style and carries the architectural style of your house into your yard.

Brick creates a welcome of warmth and beauty beyond the front door

Using pavers can add to the aesthetics of your home and increase the value of your property. When selecting a paver for your outdoor project, begin exploring whether to use clay brick pavers or concrete pavers and the different paving patterns that there are.

The most traditional paving patterns are running bond, herringbone, and basket weave. These patterns have been used for hundreds of years in Europe and the United States and can still be seen in our country’s oldest cities and will work will with any traditional architectural house style.

All of these patterns can be used for walks, driveways, patios, and terraces. However, the herringbone pattern is the best for vehicular load because the pattern allows for the even distribution of horizontal forces from the movement of your car across the driveway. This should not discourage you from choosing the other patterns for your driveway. With the proper structural base and edging, installation all of these patterns can provide a solid driveway surface. And installing a paver border using a soldier or sailor course along with a paver edging system on all edges of your project will increase the structural integrity of the pattern and provide a finished edge for greater aesthetic appearance.

The size you will need to use to create any of these patterns depends on what type of paver you choose. If you choose to use a clay brick paver you will need to use the standard size of 3 5/8” x 7 5/8” and for a concrete paver you will need to use the standard size of 3 7/8” x 7 13/16”.

Common Paving Patterns:

Running bond pattern with a sailor course border

Running Bond Pattern

The running bond is the pattern you typically see for brick veneer on a building. To install this pattern you will need to start the first course of pavers by laying the pavers end to end, lengthwise, which is referred to as a stretcher course. The next row of pavers will be offset to the previous row so the ends of the pavers are centered on the previous row pavers. This pattern will require cutting pavers.

Basketweave pattern with a sailor course border

Basket Weave Pattern

The basket weave pattern is named such since the pattern looks like a wicker basket. This pattern is created by laying two pavers side by side and then laying two pavers side by side next to it but in the opposite direction. I used this pattern for my front walk and driveway and it has hold up beautifully. There are also two other variations to this pattern, the half basket weave and the basket-on-edge weave. If you plan the width of your walk correctly you can avoid having to cut any bricks.

A. 90 degree herringbone pattern B. 45 degree herringbone pattern

Herringbone Pattern

The herringbone pattern can be laid at a 45 degree angle or at a 90 degree angle. The 90 degree angle pattern will involve more cutting. Don't let that deter you, if you are up for it, because it is a very striking pattern when used in the right situation.

As an alternative to these patterns, you could use the Flemish Bond pattern, the English Bond pattern or the Common (American) Bond pattern. Even though these patterns are more commonly used for walls, they make an interesting pavement pattern. However, all of these patterns will require more cuts than the traditional paving patterns and you will need to use a paver that is rectangular in shape.

No matter what pattern you choose, the paver color should blend with and compliment the colors of your house.

If you are interested in reading more on brick patterns we recommend Brick Pavement and Fence - Walls: Authentic Details for Design and Restoration by Peter Joel Harrison.

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