A Helpful Guide to Block Paving Patterns

Block paving patterns are proving increasingly popular with homeowners who want to add personality to their properties. If you are a little overwhelmed by the myriad of block paving colours and patterns out there, you’ll find our Helpful Guide to Block Paving will bring clarity, give you some ideas and help you decide on a block paving pattern that ticks all the boxes. But what is block paving, exactly?

Lakestone Paving

What is block paving?

Block paving, sometimes also called brick paving, is a way of creating a decorative path or driveway using blocks arranged by hand in a specific block paving pattern. The blocks can be made of materials ranging from concrete and granite to natural stone , limestone and sandstone. There are various finishes and textures to choose from too, including smooth, antique, riven, sawn, smooth textured and textured.

Why make block paving patterns?

There are several reasons why you might choose to turn to block paving. Some are practical and others purely aesthetic, but the key ones are:

Decorative design – black paving patterns can turn what would otherwise be a boring tarmac or paved path or driveway into an interesting design statement.

Strength – interlocking patterns for block paving not only look interesting, they improve the integrity of the driveway. Certain patterns are stronger than others, for example block paving patterns herringbone for instance, offers the most long lasting and durable block paving pattern.

Ease of maintenance – block paving pattern driveways and paths are very easy to clean and keep looking in pristine condition. They can be carefully jet-washed to bring them back to their original condition then treated to stay looking better for longer. Also, if any blocks become permanently discoloured or broken, they can be easily swapped out for new ones.

Elite Block Paving

Our Top 7 Block Paving Patterns

There are numerous different block paving colours and patterns, but which are the best? It’s all personal taste, but here is a selection of our particular favourites.

1. Herringbone Patterns – of all the block paving patterns herringbone has to be one of the most popular. This classic and highly robust block paving pattern is made by setting blocks in an interlocking V-shape at 45 or 90 degree angles. This pattern is high load-bearing and is therefore perfect for driveways and areas where there’s a lot of foot-fall.

Newstone Driveways

2. Basket Weave Pattern – fancy an attractive chequered effect that looks like the weaving on a basket? The double basket weave block paving pattern is perfect for pathways, patios and other areas. Laid by alternating pairs of blocks in a row horizontally, then vertically, this pattern looks as stylish as herringbone, but because they don’t interlock, it is best suited to less heavy-duty areas. Single basket weave and boxed basket weave are other variants on this design.

S&S Pavers

3. Stretcher Bond Pattern – sometimes referred to as a running bond pattern, stretcher bond is another one of the most popular patterns for block paving. This is a very easy pattern to achieve as you simply lay blocks in rows with each row staggered by half a block. If you want a uniform pattern, for say a path, this is one of the most common choices of patterns for block paving.

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4. Stack Bond Pattern – want a minimalist look or need a pattern for a border around other more complex designs? The stack bond block paving pattern involves aligning blocks in a straight grid horizontally and vertically with no staggering whatsoever. As there is no interlocking element to this pattern it is for areas with minimal foot traffic.

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5. Circular Pattern – if you want to create a focal point to a paved area such as a patio, terrace or courtyard, consider the circular block paving pattern. Laying blocks in a pattern of concentric circles within a square or rectangular expanse of paving will really draw the eye and add drama to your paving.

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6. Fan Pattern – another stunning block paving pattern for decorative pathways, patios and entrances is the fan pattern. This involves laying the blocks in a semi-circular fan shape, starting and emanating from the middle.

SmartStone

7. Opus Pattern – want a more traditional block paving pattern? The opus design involves laying at least three different sizes of tiles in a repeat pattern that gives the illusion of it being random and more rustic.

JT Atkinson

Combining block paving patterns

What’s great about block paving is that you can combine different block paving colours and patterns to create a design that’s really personal to you. For example, you could for your driveway lay a herringbone block paving pattern and stretcher bond for surrounding pathways. Alternatively, you could create contrasts with a lighter border of small square double stack bond paving around grey block paving patterns can look dramatic and contemporary. The permutations are endless.

Colours and textures

There is a whole spectrum of different colours and paving materials for you to select from. Combining these can create spectacular results. So, do give as much consideration to the choice of the colour and texture of the materials as you do to the block paving patterns you decide to lay. Colours range from contemporary charcoal, blue/black, grey and black to warmer, more traditionalnatural colours like buff, Cotswold and cream .

Add lighting to your block paving

Block paving and block borders are often used for driveways, paths and terraces which you might wish to enjoy or navigate at night. By integrating LED lighting or solar lights within your block paving patterns designs, you can create subtle or dramatic lighting effects. So, you can enjoy the great outdoors for longer and safely traverse your paving.

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Always here to help

If you’ve any questions regarding block paving, or want any additional information about the paving products we sell at Howarth, please visit your local Howarth branch, or contact our customer services on the number 01472 907051.

You can also explore our range of block paving products here, or you can even visit us in branch for more information.