How do I know how much brick to order when building a dry set patio?

Question

I'm planning to build a brick patio without mortar. Is there a quick and easy formula for estimating how much brick I'll need?

Answer 1

Measure square footage. Its 7 brick to a square foot. So if its a 10 by 10 area thats a 100 square ft. So thats 700 brick.

Answer 2

Yes, you could do this. There is even a method of making the patio with this kind of a mixture and then soaking the bed from the side to add enough water to harden the mixture only. It is supposed to be better because the mixture is not over saturated. However, the mixture will tend to be more porous as is any "dry" mixture and therefore ants, weeds, heaving from frost are all still a problem. Erosion might be better. One advantage of a bed of sand only is that the sand does better over the long term under freezing conditions than any application using cement which looks better initially if done right. If you are planning on a raised patio then either you have to use sanded brick plus a border or concrete base + cement (mortar dry mix) on the bricks. If your patio is to be even or sunken then erosion is far less likely as the surrounding ground will hold in the edges. A problem with weeds can be controlled by putting down matting before the sand or by applying weed killer after they show up. The ideal sanded brick is a more natural look with possibly moss (but not grass) growing between the bricks. It should only have a slight pitch. It can last 100s of years. The ideal cemented brick is a stable surface that is not cracked and is perfectly clean and cleanable. It will work better if more pitch is required. Concrete works best under compression or with wire reinforcement. To help prevent cracking a wire reinforced concrete base is often used.

Answer 3

To calculate how many bricks you'll need,allow about forty-eight bricks for every square yard.Add 5% for cutting, and breakage.The size of a standard brick is,21/4x31/4x8inches.It would be cheaper for you to buy them directly from the manufacturer, than it would be buying them from a home center, as bricks are normally sold by the thousand.

Answer 4

the 7 brick to the sq ft applies only to when u lay the brick horizontally....a patio as stated above the brick r laid flat...a standard brick is approx. 8" long and 4" wide......

if a sq patio, take the length of one side and convert to inches and divide by 4"..then take the leg of the patio and convert to inches and divide by 8" ..simple math.....

now if ur doing a pattern then u need to allow for cuts....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 5

Home Depot and Lowes both have planning kits to help you figure out the amounts. I've not tried their websites, but I know I saw the forms for figuring it out in the stores.

Answer 6

don't forget to allow space between the brick for sand

Answer 7

problematic issue. look into using yahoo. this could help!