Brick walkways are a great way to add aesthetic charm and timeless beauty to your home. Now you can create your own distinctive and classic brick walkway or patio with our helpful guide.

 10 Steps to help you build your very own brick walkway or patio!

Step 1: Plan

Determine what kind of brick you would like to use for your walkway. Some traditional brick used for walls may be too porous and may crack so be sure to select a brick that can withstand foot traffic such as a brick paver.

Sketch out the size, length, and design of your walkway. You may want a straight walkway or one that is serpentine. Calculate your square footage to determine how much material you will need by multiplying length by width. There are many patterns you can create with brick as well.

Step 2: Prepare the Area

Clear any plants, roots, large rocks, or existing material that may interfere with the path or cause unevenness.

Step 3: Mark the Area

Outline your area with chalk line or landscape spray paint. If you are doing a curved design you can use a garden hose to mark the shape you wish to take and trace with chalk or paint.

Tip: Before digging call your local utility company or “Dig Safe” and have them identify any buried gas, water, or electrical lines.

Step 4: Excavate

You want a depth that is at least 4” deep. We recommend going approximately 7”. Also, you may want to slightly slope the walkway to help water drainage. The required slope is 1⁄4 in. per every 4 ft. of run. Another option is to place more sand in the middle of the walk so that water will run off the to the sides. This will be discussed in a later step.

Tip: You can lay boards across the area and use a level to help you determine the slope.

Option: At this point you may want to add Geotextile fabric for added durability and stability.

Step 5: Back Fill

Fill the area with 4” inches of base material such as ¾” dense grade. This will help provide a solid base and aid in proper water percolation into the soil. After filling the area use a tamper to compact the material.

Tip: Fill the area with dense grade in 2” increments and compact with a machine plate compacter. This will ensure that the material is tightly packed. Pour another 2” of grade and repeat the steps until everything is compacted evenly to a depth of about 6”.You can even spray the area with water to help keep the dust down when tampering.

Step 6: Sand

Apply concrete sand over the crushed stone. Lay down two pieces of round level piping and push it a little into the sand. Depending on the width of your walkway you may need to use a longer or shorter pipe. Doing this is going to help ensure your base is level before applying the brick. Now spread more sand to make sure it is flush with the pipe. You can use a 2 x 4 to screed the sand to a smooth surface. If you cut a 1 3⁄4-in.-deep notch at each end of the 2 x 4, you can rest the notches on the edge restraints while you pull the 2 x 4 across the sand. Once the area is leveled, gently remove the pipe and fill the void with sand and smooth the area out. To prevent water build up you may want the center to be slightly pitched or crowned so water runs off the sides. To do this you can add more sand to one side or make the sand higher in the center.

Tip: We recommend concrete sand rather than mason sand because it will provide more stability and assist in water percolation.

Step 7: Lay Bricks

Start laying bricks around the edge of the path and gently pressed them down with a rubber mallet. To better fit pieces you may need to use a wet saw to cut pieces to the desired measurement.

 So far you should have something like this.

Step 8: Edging

Add plastic edging to the sides to define the perimeter of the walkway and to hold the pavers in place. Hold the edging in place with spikes. We recommend B.E.A.S.T. Plastic Paver Edging for its strength and flexibility. B.E.A.S.T. edging comes in 8 ft. sections and can be nailed in with 10” or 12” spikes. This edging is also made from recycled material and it allows for the growth of vegetation.

Step 9: Fill Joints

When you finish laying the brick pour polymeric sand over the top and gently sweep the sand over the whole area to fill the joints. Tamper the top to ensure compaction. Brush away any excess sand and mist the walkway with water to secure the sand and brick. You may need to go back once it is dry and fill the joints with more sand.

Tip: We recommend using polymeric sand over mason sand because it contains binders that help maintain a firm bond between the bricks which in turn helps to secure them in place.

Step 10: Touch Up

Fill any voids around the walkway, covering the exposed webbing of the edge restraint. Tamp the soil down to compact it, then plant grass to fill in the lawn up to the edge of the walk. The roots of the grass will grow through the holes in the edge restraint to further lock it in place. You also can also add cobble stones or paver edging and even plant decorative flowers or shrubs for a finishing touch to your walkway.

* You can also follow this guide for creating a brick patio.

TLC Supply has all the materials you need to get your project done! We carry a wide selection of modular, paver, and thin brick from premium brands such as Rocky Ridge, Harmar, Cushwa, Pine Hall, McAvoy, KF, and Stiles & Hart. With hundreds of brick sample boards in our display room, you are sure to find something for a new or existing brick project. We also provide custom fabrication if you wish to have your brick engraved. Please visit out website to see even more hardscape and masonry products ranging from bluestone,granite,pavers,natural stone,block,sand, and cement!

If you liked this page be sure to share it with all your friends! And for even more inspiring brick walkways and patios as well as backyard DIY projects and outdoor entertaining ideas follow us on Pinterest!

WAIT! Before you go, check this out! You may be interested in our post How to Build a Paver Patio!

The helpful staff at TLC Supply are happy to answer any of your project questions, just give us a shout! Send us an email to info@tlcsupply.com or leave your comments below. 

 

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