You’re excited about the new patio pavers you’ve chosen, and now you have one final decision to make: how they should be arranged for maximum impact and enjoyment. Here’s how to find a laying pattern that shows off the look of your patio pavers in Lake Forest, IL.
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Common Laying Patterns
Herringbone: This zigzag pattern is remarkably strong and makes an eye-catching statement.
Basket weave: Rectangular pavers are interlocked to create parquet-like block designs often used to break up the visual impact of a large space.
Running bond: This is the classic “brick pattern” found in walls, sidewalks, streets, and plazas worldwide. The joints are staggered for structural integrity.
Stacked bond: in this pattern, the facing brick is laid with all vertical joints aligned or “stacked” for a crisp look that emphasizes the lines running both vertically and laterally.
European fan: A beautiful, elegant pattern that guides the eye while creating interesting shapes. It’s typically best suited for bricks or for small-format square pavers.
Ashlar: This is a repeating pattern that looks random, since it is used with three or five different sizes and shapes of pavers.
Brick Shapes
Any brick size is suitable for traditional brick patterns including herringbone, running bond, stacked bond, European fan, and basket weave. Since bricks are fairly uniform in color and texture, you can enhance texture with laying patterns. Herringbone, fan, and basket weave laying patterns add texture while running bond and stacked bond make for a sleeker look.
Bricks are ideally suited to curved applications or for creating artistic inlays and borders. The color of the jointing compound makes a big difference in whether you are emphasizing the color of the bricks with same-color or slightly darker jointing sand, or whether you are emphasizing texture with lighter-colored jointing sand.
Plank Shapes
Plank shaped pavers are gaining popularity in contemporary outdoor living spaces. It’s a look reminiscent of wood decking, only the planks are shorter (around 2 feet in length). Plank laying patterns include herringbone for the sophisticated look of a luxury spa; or running bond or stacked bond for a sleek look. Herringbone patterns emphasize the pattern, while running bond and stacked bond draw the eye to the material.
Random Bundles of Square and Rectangular Shapes
To bring out the beauty of pavers that come in random bundles of two rectangular sizes and one square size, use an ashlar pattern. This is especially beautiful with pavers with individual character, such as natural stone. This relaxed, random-looking laying pattern emphasizes the differences between each stone, yet creates a cohesive whole.
Large-format Square and Rectangular Shapes
A modern trend is toward oversized pavers that minimize joint lines for a clean look. They can be laid either in a stacked bond or running bond pattern but the greatest opportunity for artistic expression is the choice of jointing compound: a complementary color for a sleek look, or a slightly lighter or darker color for more texture.
Whichever paver shape you choose, also consider its orientation to the home or to other prominent features in the landscape such as a pool. The orientation makes a big difference in the visual impact. A laying pattern oriented at a 45-degree angle to the home helps disguise any irregularities in the patio shape, and can make spaces feel larger. Carefully consider orientation of herringbone patterns: In general, patios, orient the “arrows” outward away from the home. On walkways, the ideal herringbone orientation can be in the direction of travel (toward the front door).
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