If you're stressing about which material is best for your patio, don't. There is no one-size-fits-all "best" choice. The placement and usage of your patio and the style of your home or landscaping should all be considered when deciding on the winner. Brick pavers are a popular choice, but even they're not perfect. Be aware that though both are made from clay, brick pavers are different from regular bricks; they're heavier and larger. Here's a quick look at some pros and cons of using brick pavers for your patio:
Design -- Con
Brick pavers don't allow for a great deal of versatility in design. They are available in a few different colors and textures, and some variation of design can be achieved by the layout. A brick patio is elegant and classic, and may be ideal for an older home that already has other brick elements. But the overall look of a brick patio is not modern a one.
Durability -- Pro
Brick pavers are known for their strength and durability. They'll stand up to heavy use and rough weather without scuffing, warping or scratching. The interlocking system of pavers means the final product is even stronger than individual blocks. Sealing bricks protects them from stains. The strength of this material means your patio will last for decades, and for many homeowners durability offsets those high initial costs.
Price -- Con
Brick pavers aren't the most expensive material you could choose, natural stone takes that prize, but compared to poured or stamped concrete or outdoor tiles, they are costly. When estimating cost, include the price of sand, framing and any equipment you might need to purchase or rent such as a block splitter or wet saw. If you're not at least moderately experienced with DIY, hiring professionals may be a good idea. However, hiring the job done will obviously increase costs.
Maintenance -- Pro
Brick pavers are as close to "set and forget" as any material can be. Sweep them when needed, and wash stains with soapy water if they occur. Pavers do require resealing approximately every 3 years. Occasionally a paver or two may settle disproportionately and need to be reset. Even with these few considerations, pavers require much less care than almost every other material. After all, if one brick gets damaged, replacement is a simple chore.
Flexibility -- Con
They're heavy, they're costly and they're meant to stay. If you want to change the size, style or color of your patio in the future it will be an expensive, and difficult, do over. Matching the exact size and style of an older paver could be problematic down the road, which means you could be forced to start from scratch.
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