Bricks on Sand: A New System Surfaces

Question: Now that summer weather has finally arrived, I’ve been trying to get some yard work done and want to lay bricks in an area off to the side of the patio that already exists. I know you’ve given advice before on putting bricks down in sand so I won’t have to pay to mix cement or have it poured. Would you please refresh my memory a bit about how this is done?

Answer: Certainly one of the easiest and least expensive ways to lay a patio is to put bricks, new or used, in a bed of sand, and with mild winters of Southern California, you don’t have to worry too much about the sand being washed away and the bricks becoming discombobulated.

Not the most difficult (that’s spreading all the sand around)--but perhaps the most important--part of this type of patio is leveling the sand bed. You’ll need a screed for this (a screed being a good size board, such as a 1x4 that’s three or four feet long) to drag over the sand to level it.

Basically, the plan is this: Establish the perimeter of the patio with upright boards that are secured in place but can be removed later. Spread your bed of sand and level it. Water it down well and use the flat side of the screed to tamp the sand down thoroughly. (Standing on the screed will help flatten the sand surface, but if you’re a featherweight, you might want to rent a hand compacter for the tamping.)

Next, place the bricks on the wet sand in the pattern of your choice, butting them together as closely as you can. When all the bricks are down, sprinkle sand over the top and brush it into the cracks.

Repeat the sprinkling and sand procedure as often as necessary until the cracks are filled.

If you want to be more exotic than just using ordinary bricks, Higgins Brick Co., 1845 S. Elena Ave., Redondo Beach 90277, may be your answer.

This firm has custom-made saws that can cut quantities of bricks at one time and thereby produce what it’s marketing as the Renaissance Brickpaving System. The brick pavers, in a range of colors, are offered in 10 different geometric shapes that can be arranged in a number of patterns.

The finished product has an expensive look, but Jerry Earwood, Higgins’ vice president of marketing, says the price of the bricks ranges from about $1.60 to $3 a square foot, depending upon the shapes and patterns you choose. (This cost estimate does not include delivery of bricks or sand and other materials for the finished patio.)

The Higgins firm offers a free 32-page booklet entitled “Renaissance Brickpaving Handbook,” which includes color photos of the brick patterns and a do-it-yourself section. It’s available by writing the address above.

Also, you may obtain the name and address of the masonry material dealer nearest you when you request the booklet. (By purchasing the bricks from a nearby firm, you may save considerably on delivery costs.)

Glenn Gosnell, research engineer for the firm, who is credited with development of the “Renaissance” system, says a 30-minute video will be for sale soon, retailing for about $20. Also, the firm expects to market a do-it-yourself kit that will provide bricks and everything except sand and gravel for a 10x10-foot surface in the price range of about $375, Gosnell said.

The system will be on display at the Southern California Home and Garden Show at the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 15 through 23.