Your driveway and patio are two essential parts of your Niles home. After all, these are among the most visible areas of your property. Therefore, it’s important that you take good care of them, and that you keep your driveway and patio clean at all times. This will not only make the entrance to your home look more appealing, but it’s also a great way to improve the curb appeal of your home should you decide to put it on the market.

Brick pavers are an excellent option if you’re looking to enhance your driveway or patio. Though it is recommended that you hire a professional to carry out a brick paver installation, if you have time and can learn the basics, it’s possible that you could do the job yourself.

If you are going with a DIY brick paver installation for your Niles house, there are several things to keep in mind. Here’s a quick guide that will come in handy.

Before You Begin:

There are many different types of brick pavers available in the market. While some serve a structural purpose, others are more decorative. There are also some that can provide both structural and cosmetic benefits. You’ll want to familiar yourself with all the options you have (such as face brick, building brick, clinker brick, and glazed brick) so that you can pick the best option that complements and enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property.

The Installation Process:

1. Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure you have a vision — in other words, you should have an idea as to how the finished product will look. After that, make the necessary measurements. It’s important that you measure the area correctly, because this will be the basis for the amount of materials you will purchase. In addition to that, you should also have a schedule. This is very helpful if you have limited help.

2. Prepare the space as well. You’ll need to dig out the area where you want to install the brick or paver driveway. This is important to provide a strong base for it. In some areas, six to eight inches is enough. However, it is generally recommended that you dig one foot deep. You can use a string to check if the excavation is deep enough.

3. After the excavation, place about three to four inches of gravel stone and pat it down. You will then need to spread sand over the gravel, about two inches high. Pat the sand down as well.

4. After laying down the base, you’ll need to set guides by using pipes. This will serve as a guide for your screeding. When using a screed board made of wood, it should not be longer than 8 feet, as it will flex when pulled.

5. After screeding, install the borders to keep the shape of the driveway or patio. There are plastic brick borders available in the market. As always, you should read the instructions carefully for proper installation.

6. Once you are done with all the preparations, it’s time to start putting the bricks in place. You can follow different patterns, and you will most likely need to cut some of them to make them fit.

Although it’s possible to install pavers for your patio or driveway on your own, the process is rather difficult and time consuming. A professional can install everything correctly the first time to ensure that nothing comes apart at the seams (something that is common with a DIY installation).

Looking for Brick Paver or a Concrete Contractor in Niles, Illinois?

Are you looking for professional brick paver installation services or a cement contractor in Niles, Illinois? If so, then Via Galante Cement Contractors is here to help. For over three decades, we have been delivering the highest quality of brick paver installations throughout the Chicagoland area. 

Contact us today at (773) 589-9893 or email us at [email protected] to speak with one of our representatives!