Brick is an adaptable and frequently used patio surfacing material. Either set on a base of sand or mortar, it provides a durable, non-glare surface that coordinates well with many architectural styles.
Two Types
Basically, there are two types of brick: common and face. As the name implies, common is the type most often used in outdoor residential applications and is also less expensive than face. Common brick is made from clay or shale and fired in a kiln. It is also known as kiln-run brick. It has a rough texture. Face brick is meant to be visible. This type is used in the exposed face of a wall or sometimes on patios and is usually made of better quality materials than common brick. Face brick has a slick surface, is durable and comes in different shades of brown, red, gray, and white. While its basic composition and form has been the same for some 5,000 years, there are thousands of brick combinations, colors, textures, and shapes available to create any kind of look or mood—from casual and contemporary to more classic and traditional. Need ideas for a brick patio project? Get inspired by the following designs, all of which feature brick patios, of course. Key features of a cottage garden include:
A cottage-like structure as a focal point. An informal mix of perennials, annuals, vines, and shrubs. Favorites include old-fashioned roses, tall hollyhocks, cleome, cosmos, agapanthus, and torch lily. Plants are packed closely together, at various levels, and often defy conventional gardening rules as far as height and spacing. Path (often brick or stone) ties together spaces, beds, and borders. Incorporates garden structures, like arches, pergolas, and gazebos.
