There’s something uniquely charming about a classic brick path. It can define a space, guide visitors through your garden, and add a touch of timeless elegance that complements any home. While it may seem like a job reserved for professional landscapers, building your own brick path is an incredibly rewarding DIY project that can transform your outdoor space and add significant value to your property.
This guide will walk you through the entire process, from planning your design to sweeping in the final grain of sand. We’ll give you the expert tips to ensure your path isn’t just beautiful, but built to last for years to come.
Why a Brick Path is a Timeless Choice for Your Home
Before we grab the shovel, let’s reinforce why you’ve made a great choice. Brick and paver paths offer a fantastic combination of benefits:
- Durability: Properly installed pavers can handle decades of foot traffic and harsh Australian weather.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With endless patterns, colours, and styles, you can create a look that is uniquely yours.
- Low Maintenance: Once laid, a brick path requires very little upkeep beyond the occasional sweep or wash.
- Property Value: A well-designed, functional path is a major asset that boosts your home’s curb appeal.
Planning Your Pathway: The Blueprint for Success
Great results start with a great plan. Spending time on these initial steps will save you headaches and ensure a smooth installation process.
Choosing the Right Location & Design
First, decide on the path’s route. Will it be a straight, formal walkway from the gate to your front door, or a gentle, meandering path through your garden beds? Use a garden hose or rope to lay out the shape on the ground and see how it feels. Consider the width—a comfortable path for one person is about 900mm wide. Also, think about drainage and make sure the path has a slight slope (about a 2% grade) to direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation.
Selecting the Right Bricks or Pavers for the Job
The terms ‘brick’ and ‘paver’ are often used interchangeably, but there’s a key difference. Traditional house bricks are not always suitable for paving as they can be porous and break down with moisture and traffic. You need pavers specifically designed for pathways. These come in two main types:
- Clay Pavers: Offer rich, earthy colours that won’t fade over time. They are incredibly durable and have a classic, traditional look.
- Concrete Pavers: Available in a vast range of colours, sizes, and finishes. They are a versatile and often more budget-friendly option.
When choosing, consider durability, slip resistance, and the overall style of your home and garden. Explore BuildMart’s extensive range of high-quality pavers, perfect for any pathway project.
Essential Tools & Materials Checklist
Tools:
- Shovel & Rake
- Wheelbarrow
- Tape Measure
- Stakes and String Line
- Spirit Level
- Rubber Mallet
- Plate Compactor (can be hired)
- Screed Rails (e.g., steel pipes or straight timber)
- Screeding Board (a long, straight piece of timber)
- Brick Bolster or Angle Grinder (for cutting pavers)
- Safety Glasses & Gloves
Materials:
- Pavers
- Road Base (crushed rock)
- Bedding Sand (washed paving sand)
- Edge Restraints (plastic, steel, or concrete)
- Jointing Sand (fine, dry sand)
You can find all your essential landscaping supplies like sand and aggregate at BuildMart Australia.
The 7-Step Guide to Laying Your Brick Path
Step 1: Mark Out and Excavate
Use your stakes and string line to mark the exact perimeter of your path. Now, start digging. You need to excavate deep enough to accommodate all the layers: about 100mm for the road base, 30mm for the bedding sand, plus the thickness of your paver. For a standard 50mm paver, you’ll be digging down around 180mm. A helpful reminder: Before you dig, always check with Dial Before You Dig Australia.
Step 2: Prepare the Sub-Base
Once excavated, rake the soil base level and remove any rocks or roots. Compact the soil thoroughly with the plate compactor. This solid foundation is critical for preventing your path from sinking or shifting over time.
Step 3: Lay and Compact the Road Base
Add the road base in layers of about 50mm at a time, raking it evenly before compacting each layer with the plate compactor. Continue until you have a solid, level base of around 100mm. This is the structural heart of your path.
Step 4: Screed the Bedding Sand
Lay your two screed rails parallel on top of the compacted road base. Pour the bedding sand between them and use your straight piece of timber (the screed board) to drag the sand across the rails, creating a perfectly smooth and level bed that is about 30mm deep. Remove the rails and carefully fill in the gaps with more sand. Do not walk on the screeded sand.
Step 5: Lay the Bricks
Start laying your pavers from a corner or a straight edge (like the side of your house). Place each paver gently onto the sand—don’t slide it. Use your chosen pattern and work backwards so you don’t disturb the sand bed. Tap each paver gently with a rubber mallet to set it in place, using your spirit level frequently to check that the surface is even. Leave a consistent 2-3mm gap between each paver for the jointing sand.
Step 6: Install Edge Restraints
Edging is essential to lock the pavers in and stop them from spreading outwards over time. Install your chosen edge restraints securely against the outside pavers, hammering them into place or setting them in a concrete haunch for maximum stability. For a seamless look, consider our range of versatile retaining wall blocks as a robust garden edge.
Step 7: Lock it in with Jointing Sand
Once all pavers and edges are in place, spread the dry jointing sand over the entire path. Use a soft broom to sweep the sand across the surface, allowing it to fall into the gaps between the pavers. Once the joints are full, make a final pass with the plate compactor over the entire path to lock everything together. Sweep in more sand to fill any remaining gaps.
Add a Designer’s Touch: Popular Brick Path Patterns
The pattern you choose can dramatically change the look of your path. Here are three popular options:
Running Bond
The simplest pattern, with pavers laid in staggered rows. Classic and easy to install.
Herringbone
A dynamic, interlocking V-shape pattern that is very strong and visually interesting.
Basket Weave
Pavers are laid in pairs to form square blocks, creating a charming, textured look.
Your Questions Answered (FAQ)
Do I really need a road base, or can I lay bricks directly on soil?
For a path that will last, a road base is non-negotiable. Laying pavers directly on soil will result in an uneven surface that sinks, shifts, and becomes a tripping hazard within a year. The base provides the stable foundation your path needs.
How do I stop weeds from growing between the bricks?
Using jointing sand is the first line of defence. For extra protection, you can use a polymeric sand which hardens when wet, forming a strong barrier against weeds and ants. Applying a quality paving sealant after installation also helps.
How thick should the sand layer be for a brick path?
The bedding sand layer should be a consistent 30mm deep when compacted. This provides a firm but flexible cushion for the pavers to sit in.
Your Project Starts with BuildMart Australia
Building a brick path is a project that adds lasting beauty and function to your home. With the right plan and the best materials, you can achieve a result you’ll be proud of for years to come.
At BuildMart Australia, we have everything you need to get started. From a wide selection of high-quality clay and concrete pavers to the sands, aggregates, and tools for the job, we’re your project partner from start to finish.