Rethinking the Traditional Brick Patio in Wheaton and Naperville, IL Areas

If the idea of a traditional brick patio has you itching for a change, you’re in luck. Today’s market offers a staggering array of choices that make rethinking the traditional brick patio a breeze in Wheaton and Naperville, IL, areas. Whether you want to use brick in innovative ways or freshen up the space with an updated approach, brick is still the “little black dress” of hardscape materials and you may be surprised at just how versatile it is.

What is Brick?

What is “brick” exactly? Traditionally, the term referred to a block made with clay that was used to build walls, pavements, and other masonry elements. Today, “brick” also means blocks made using concrete. The traditional shape was rectangular but today, you can find brick in a variety of shapes.

If you want to get away from a traditional herringbone, running bond, or basket weave pattern using reddish bricks, there are plenty of options.

Because of the historical feel of brick and its timelessness, it’s one of the most versatile materials for modern hardscapes. Brick pairs with any architectural style including ultra modern. Think of it as a material that brings warmth to your outdoor living space, whether that space is formal or relaxed, dark or light, modern or rustic.

The Various Color of Brick

When it comes to color, traditional brick relied on the color of the clay it was sourced from. This meant that different regions of the country (or the world) would have different colored clay, ranging from near white to charcoal, but mostly reddish. This gives brick a wonderful depth of character since no two regions have exactly the same composition of clay. With concrete technology, the color choices are expanded to include bricks made with blended colors.

If you still want to use traditionally shaped bricks but want to give your outdoor living space extra personality, you could blend two or three colors together randomly onsite. One or more of these colors could pick up colors on the home, or in the environment.

Trends in Brick

A modern trend is to use bricks in an assortment of sizes in random bundles, for example, bundles of small rectangles, large rectangles, and medium squares; these are laid in an easygoing ashlar pattern. This approach gives your patio a relaxed look that lets you enjoy the earthy tones of brick without the traditional brick look.

Another trend is to use large format brick pavers, for example, 24” square or 12”x36” rectangles. This gives you the warmth of brick in a less busy format. Fewer joint lines make your patio or walkway feel smoother and more like a solid surface, which helps to make small spaces feel larger.

You can also use mixed materials for a fresh modern look. Mixing and matching hardscape materials such as brick and natural stone lets you get creative and play with patterns, abstract designs, or geometric designs. There’s something wonderfully appealing about mixing colors, for example, the reds of brick alongside the blues of bluestone or the greys of granite.

Using Traditional Brick as a Border

Traditional brick can also be used as a border or accent in virtually any surface including natural stone, concrete pavers, poured concrete. Since you can find a wide assortment of colors from a variety of “brick red” tones to soft tans, pinks, steely blues, and dramatic charcoal, you will be able to find the perfect match for any surface you’re considering for your patio, walkway, or driveway.

Finally, traditional brick sizes lend themselves to unusual laying patterns including circular, fan, or freeform - this lets you create artistic inlays on a patio that uses different materials. And, it gives any space a custom feel.