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Design is an important aspect of any paver project. Along with choosing color blends, sizes, shapes, for however many materials your project will include, you will also need to consider the pattern to which your pavers will be laid. Though not as important as the previous decisions to the overall aesthetic appeal of a space, paver patterns play a small yet important role to the design and functionality of the pavement surface. With modern designs becoming increasingly prominent with larger format and smooth paving slabs, so to do the patterns to which they are laid follow suite. Sometimes the shapes and sizes dictate the paver pattern to which the product is laid, other times you have much more flexibility in the pattern to choose from. Ultimately you can consult with the manufacturer to see the patterns available for each product that they have, but this article covers some common paver patterns that can fit your space.
Paving Patterns
With more intricate products entering the market every year by leading manufacturers, paving patterns become increasingly interesting and can add to the overall design and appeal of a project. Block paving patterns can vary from the most simple of choices to more busier options.
However, patterns for block paving can just be one aspect of the laying appeal. For example, you can opt to lay pavers square to the foundation of a building or house or to add to the appeal of the project you can lay it at a 45 degree angle. This adds to the uniqueness of the project, but will cost more in material and labor as every stone will need to be cut on the outside borders of the project whereas with a square project you may be able to get out without any cuts or minimal cuts. Even better, do a mixture of the two by separating spaces and areas in your paver project.
Additionally, you can experiment with color and texture blends in basic paver patterns. Creating a checkered pattern using a stack bond pattern or adding various material into spaced out joints of the same material can transform a simple pattern into more appeal to the eyes if done right. If not, it can become a mess of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes. Explore Instagram for some ideas to get you started along the way and inspire yourself to get creative.
The options are endless and you can get carried away with your creativity in order to create a unique project that stands out from all of the rest. Though it helps to know some paving laying patterns that will help you along the way. Here are some of the most common patterns to get familiar with.
- Running Bond Pattern for Pavers
- Stack Bond Pattern for Pavers
- Parquet / Basket Weave Paver Pattern
- Herringbone Paver Pattern
- Random Paver Patterns
A running bond brick pattern can be achieved with pavers and slabs of the same dimension on two of their sides. If there are varying shapes and sizes within the pavers that are being use, you will likely not be able to achieve this running bond pattern with your laying. With long lines, it is not ideal for heavy traffic areas or pavement under heavy loads. The importance of a strong interlocking concrete pavement system is that the joint lines are minimal. However, running bond patterns can be appealing in modern spaces especially with larger format slabs or square cut natural stone. The most important aspect of this pattern (as with any pattern) is ensuring your lines are straight when laying otherwise it will look completely off. Changing grades in larger areas like a pool patio where you are trying to control the flow of water to certain areas is more difficult with this laying pattern and achieving straight and consistent lines.
This pattern, similar to that of a running bond pattern, appeals to a more modern and larger format product. This is an ideal paving slab pattern as one of the modern paving patterns available. Though much like a running bond pattern, the lines are continuous throughout this pattern in every direction reducing the interlock strength of the interlocking concrete pavement. This pattern allows for some creativity in creating varying types of joints in pedestrian traffic patios and walkways such as decorative aggregates and artificial turf. Laying this pattern on a 45 degree also adds to the visual appeal of it in a modern setting.
For one size paver patterns, a basket weave or parquet paver pattern may provide a slightly more appealing look than the simplicity of a running bond or stack bond pattern. This would be an alternative to the above mentioned patterns.
For one size paver patterns that are available, a herringbone pattern provides more possibilities than the above patterns. It can be laid in multiples from double onwards removing the busyness of the traditional herringbone. Laid at a 45 degree additionally adds to the beauty of this paver pattern. Additionally, this pattern achieves the highest level of interlock of any pattern because of the discontinuous joint lines. These discontinuous lines allow the pavers to distribute the load over a wider area in comparison to other patters. This makes it an ideal driveway paver pattern that will experience more load and traffic in comparison to paver projects that will only experience pedestrian traffic loads.
When you get into 3 size or 4 size pavers, you can lay random patterns without having to worry about following a laying pattern. Do not get too carried away in thinking this is the easiest option. Sometimes just following the manufacturer’s pattern guide is easier even though it may not seem so when you first start laying. Eventually it will get stuck in your head as you continue to lay it and you will no longer need to refer to the pattern book. When it comes to laying random patterns, you may be laying stone only to pick it up again and again to replace it with another. The rule when opting for a random paver pattern is to not lay lines of more than three feet and to avoid four corners where the corners of four pavers meet up with one another. Long lines will reduce the strength of the interlock of the surface and four corners will add to that. Not to mention, seeing four corners is unappealing to the eye.
There are a variety of creative mosaics that can be created with pavers and patterns that are specific to certain pavers. Refer to the manufacturer for a visualization of various paver patterns for the specific product you are going to purchase or have already purchased. You can find a variety of featured 3 size or 4 size paving patterns, mosaics, and so much more through the manufacturer or by scrolling through Instagram.