How do I go about making my own bricks? I thought of creating my own unique patio.?

Question

Does anybody have a recipe that I can use to make my own paving bricks? How would one go about baking them?

Answer 1

I live in a brick making town. Once called the brick capital of the world.

Clay brick must be fired in a kiln. The clay must be the right consistency or it will crumble.

There are stamping devices available to stamp lines (with the look of brick, stones etc) that you can rent or buy to stamp concrete with to give it the look of brick or fieldstone. The concrete can be colored with several colors available for that purpose, but I would suggest ordering the premixed concrete to be delivered if your project is large.

Look up diy projects for patios on the diy network.

I believe you could colorize the concrete prior to stamping it with the design you choose.

The other drawback of making your own brick is the fact that eventually weeds and grass will grow up between the bricks. Low and high spots will form where the ground is not even and where tree roots push it up. (I had a brick sidewalk and it never remained level, every other year I had to clear it out, put new sand down then replace the brick. Lots of work for a little brick sidewalk.)



Here is a book available on the subject with some photos:
Bob Harris' Guide to Stamped Concrete

Become a concrete stamping expert with the practical tips in this book.

Here you’ll find hundreds of ideas and sources for stamping designs. You’ll learn of site conditions affecting stamped concrete and how to avoid problems.

Shows everything from preparing the subgrade to erecting forms, installing reinforcement, and placing the concrete.

Gives different methods of stamping concrete, coloring stamped concrete, applying color hardener, release agents, installing expansion joints, and special techniques for finishing and sealing the concrete,

Shows how to improve the durability of stamped concrete, and how to fix minor flaws. Explains how to write a fair contract for the work you perform and how to determine what to charge your customers for the finished job.

Stamped concrete has become one of the most popular methods to enhance landscapes and buildings. A rapidly growing number of homeowners, businesses and municipalities are becoming inspired by the versatility of stamped concrete and the wide array of patterns and colors available.

Decorative concrete contractors can also prosper from the demand for stamped concrete by learning to create beautiful, durable stamped concrete using the latest techniques and procedures.


Photo courtesy of The Decorative Concrete Institute. - Harris and crew member striking off the concrete
Photo courtesy of The Decorative Concrete Institute. - Harris Throwing color hardener



Bob Harris’ Guide to Stamped Concrete is a full-color, fully illustrated, step-by-step guide that provides contractors with detailed information and practical tips to stamping concrete.

His first book in the Bob Harris Decorative Concrete Collection, Bob Harris’ Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors, had been an industry bestseller since its release in February 2004- selling over 1000 copies per month through the American Concrete Institute, Portland Cement Association, The Concrete Network, and dozens of construction supply houses and architectural bookstores across the United States.


Photo courtesy of The Decorative Concrete Institute.
Stamping in progress

Bob Harris’ Guide to Stamped Concrete shows contractors where to find good designs, the five methods of imparting color to stamped concrete work, placing the concrete to facilitate stamping, and the stamping process from A-Z. With a complete, illustrated description of the entire stamping process, contractors can apply Bob Harris’ expertise to their own stamped projects to satisfy their clients with beautiful, durable works of art in concrete.

The guide teaches contractors the skills necessary to produce quality stamped concrete, but also shares Harris’ professional knowledge of taking stamping to new levels of originality. From incorporating architectural finishes into the stamping design to blending a multitude of colors that mimic natural materials, this guide provides an in-depth account of how to go from ordinary to extraordinary with stamped concrete.


Photo courtesy of Concrete Impressions.

Bob Harris' Guide to Stamped Concrete is illustrated with over 200 color photos

The guide covers topics of vital importance for anyone planning to stamp concrete, including:

Nine sources for stamping design ideas
Maximizing your profits by knowing what to charge
Concrete mix considerations for stamping concrete
Site conditions affecting stamped concrete work and how to prepare or avoid them
How to prepare concrete for stamping, including tips for striking off and finishing
Three important steps to applying color hardener
Tools that are essential for successful stamping
How and when to start stamping
Important issues to avoid when stamping
Fixing minor flaws in stamped concrete work
Effective techniques for the application of sealers
10 ways to promote and sell your stamped concrete work
How to distinguish your stamped concrete work from competitors
Author Bob Harris, industry leader and president of the Decorative Concrete Institute, shares his stamping methods as well as the many tricks and tips he has learned through his experiences. With over 25 years experience in the construction industry, Harris has conducted hands-on training seminars in architectural concrete in locations around the world, and has personally placed and/or supervised the placement of over three million square feet of decorative concrete, including work for some of the major Disney theme parks in Orlando, Florida.




Contents:

1 Why Stamped Concrete is So Popular
2 Stamped Concrete Offers a Wide Spectrum of Design Options

3 Where Do Good Designs for Stamped Concrete Come From?
4 Budget Analysis of Stamped Concrete

5 Site Conditions Affecting Stamped Concrete Work
6 Mix Design Considerations for Stamped Concrete

7 Improving the Durability of Stamped Concrete
8 Establishing Expectations with the Builder, Architect, and Owner

9 Writing a Fair Contract
10 Chronicling Your Work

11 The Importance of Safety
12 Stamped Concrete Pictorial Overview

13 Methods of Coloring Stamped Concrete
14 Subgrade Preparation

15 Erecting the Forms
16 Installing Reinforcement

17 Placing the Concrete
18 Striking Off and Finishing the Concrete

19 Applying Color Hardener
20 Applying the Release Agent

21 The Concrete Stamping Process
22 Curing Stamped Concrete

23 Installing Joints

24 Release Removal

25 Fixing Minor Flaws

26 Sealing Stamped Concrete

27 Tools, Equipment and Supplies

28 How to Sell Stamped Concrete Work

29 Taking Stamped Concrete Over the Top

Glossary

Resources

142 Pages - 8-1/2 x 11

Also see:
Bob Harris’ Guide to Concrete Overlays & Toppings
and Bob Harris' Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors

Answer 2

Ok First Of All Go Into Shops You Don't Usually Go Into.... Don't Just Look About The Shop Go To The Racks & Look Through There Could Be A Hidden Gem In There Thats Very Unique... If Theres a Top That You Like But Everyone Else Is Wearing It Customize It.... Add A Belt Around The Middle Or Buy A Sewing Machine & Learn How To Use It So You Can Design Your Own Things.... Buy Something That Doesn't Look The Best & Add Things Together To Make An Outfit That Makes That Item Look Good..

Answer 3

Answer 1 certainly has the best/easy/durable suggestion.

I just watched a TV show on History Channel this week that had a segment about a brick making company; and YES to be any good the CLAY would have to be high fired.

Bags of premix will work fine. I've made them and in the mix added terra cotta grout as the dye. They were set in 1992 and still look good.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Real clay contains trace metals that melt and bond under high heat. That's where the strength comes from. Since it's completely impractical for a DIYer to do that (or do it on a large enough scale to make a patio), then the best you can hope for is creating molds and pouring concrete into them.

You can to a LOT with concrete. You can add your own stones to the mix, layer stones across the top, mix in additives, stain it (just like you do wood), etc.

The problem with concrete is that most people have no idea just how much concrete it requires. To make enough bricks/pavers for a patio would requires a lot of concrete, a lot of mixing, a lot of pouring, and then you have to wait for it to dry before you can pop it out of the molds to pour the next batch.

Answer 5

Bricks are not easy to make as a home enthusiast. They require the right type of clay and very precise and timed oven baking steps. Maybe if you search the Internet or ask your local brickyard about your intentions, you might get what you are looking for.

Answer 6

We had a primative artist come to our school once. He had the kids make clay figures then they wrapped them in news paper, several layers then they put crumpled newspaper and wood in the bottom of a 50 gallon drum then put the clay figures in and set it on fire. I don't know if it would work for bricks as they are larger and thicker than the figures.

Answer 7

I made my stepping stones out of regular concrete and added slick stones (don't use the polished ones).
I built a mold using 2x4's and steel plywood.
No baking necessary.

Answer 8

hard problem. try searching into google. just that can assist!