Putting in a patio is almost like adding another room to your home. It provides a place to relax and entertain. You have many options for patio pacing, but brick paved patios are one of the best types.

1. Quick Installation

Unlike most paving options which are poured into a mold and then must be left to cure for several days until hard, a brick patio can be used as soon as the last brick is fitted into place. In most cases, the entire patio can be constructed within a day and ready for a barbecue that evening.

2. Permeable Paving

Standing water wears down other types of paving and causes potholes to form, plus it is messy. If you live in a wet climate, then bricks offer a permeable paving option. For example, you can opt to have sand joints installed instead of mortar, which allows for some drainage between bricks. There are also special permeable bricks available that drain exceptionally well so that standing water is never an issue.

3. Easy Maintenance

Brick patios are as easy to clean as they are to install. Generally, the only needed maintenance is to sweep off dust when needed and to pressure wash every few years if they begin to look grimy. If you opt for sand joints, you may need to periodically sweep new sand into the joint. Mortar joints may need fresh mortar every decade or so if they begin to crack, but this isn't a regular need.

4. Unique Design

A boring gray concrete patio pad is functional but it is rarely beautiful. Most end up looking basically the same. Bricks, on the other hand, come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, which can be combined to create truly unique mosaic designs. Even the texture can differ between different bricks. Your mason will work with you to come up with a shape and brick-laying design that will be tailored to your backyard's space and style. 

5. Simple Repairs

A common challenge with concrete is that any damages are permanent. There is no way to easily patch a crack in concrete since nearly all repairs are visible and unsightly. Unlike concrete, bricks are less prone to cracks and damage due to settling or temperature expansions thanks to the joints between each brick. If damage does occur, though, the repair is as simple as replacing the marred brick with a new unbroken one.

Contact a residential masonry service if you are ready to begin designing your new brick patio.