Brick Pavers Installed in the Midwest

Brick pavers patios, walks, and driveways

Brick Pavers in the last 30 years has evolved into one the most popular pavement options in the Midwest. The aesthetics and functional value of brick pavers make it the best financial choice for patios, walks, and driveways.  For purpose of this article, I will discuss grade (ground) level options and exclude elevated structures that compete with composite decks or landings.  In the Midwest, there are many challenges to pavement performance, mainly from the freeze thaw cycles (ground frost) we experience. 

The initial cost of installing brick pavers will exceed most cement and asphalt pavements.  Stamped concrete costs will be closer to the cost of a brick paver installation, but a variety of high end designed pavers will keep costs higher.  Brick paver manufacturers have spent incredible investment funds for research to improve the density, appearance, and performance of brick pavers.  Customer needs have changed over the past 30 years and meeting that need has improved the brick paver industry's response by giving many design, color, and texture options for homeowners.  

The cost of a brick paver installations have doubled over the past 15 years, mainly due to the cost of labor.  The brick paver market is a skilled labor that cannot be efficient or qualitative if done by a standard landscape crew.  Admittedly, it is not as skilled as masonry installations, but it takes an experienced and creative crew to execute the specifications and quality installation of todays brick paver designs.  General labor is still needed but this work is physical and time consuming.  Most brick pavers are installed for residential applications and each individual brick paver is handled and installed.  Mass installation of pavers by specialized equipment typically is reserved for large commercial or municipal applications.  Costs for base material has skyrocketed due the cost of mining and shipping.  Base materials are used for the base prep as well as the production of the asphalt, concrete, and brick pavers.

The cost advantage of brick pavers installation comes over time!  All pavements require some maintenance but asphalt requires the most frequent attention of surface maintenance and replacement.  Cement can be quiet for about 5 years in the Midwest but once cracks, shifting, and spalling occur, maintenance begins to accelerate for this pavement.  Replacement is the highest cost for cement pavements.  You can choose to do ongoing maintenance of crack filling, re-leveling, and staining but the aesthetic value declines considerably after 5 years.  

Brick pavers on the other hand give you the best value on costs over 10+ years.  Brick pavers do require some ongoing maintenance like sanding joints & sealing (optional) but these costs are nominal.  The aesthetic value is unmatched by other pavements as you can choose a design maximizing creative design, textures, and colors.  The functional value of brick pavers is the best pavement option for the Midwest's frequent freeze thaw cycle which moves or flexes all pavements during the Winter and early Spring.  I do not care how deep you prepare your base material for any pavement option, the earth will decide what it's going to do!  The beauty of brick pavers is that they have more flexibility to the movements of ground frost than asphalt and cement.  Brick pavers can easily be reset and do not require the replacement of the pavement over the long term.  Properly maintained brick paver applications like patios, walks, and driveways can last over 30 years before replacement may be considered.  

Brick Paver Manufacturers I use in Southeast Michigan

Using a high quality Paving Stone or Paver Block is essential to maximum results

For over 30 years now, I have been using and recommending two major brick paver manufacturers in Southeast Michigan.  The first is FENDT Builders Supply which is headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI.  The second is North America's largest brick paver manufacturer - UNILOCK.  UNILOCK has a manufacturer plant in Brighton, MI.

FENDT Builders Supply is a local Michigan company that has over 80 years of experience & knowledge. Offering a wide spectrum of concrete paver products, tools, accessories, and support, FENDT has positioned themselves as a supplier of affordable, quality & attractive paving stones and modular retaining wall systems.

UNILOCK is an international brick paving manufacturer that has lead the innovation & production of brick pavers and modular retaining wall systems in North America.  UNILOCK has positioned themselves to offer a full pricing range of low cost to high end products.


My commitment to these two quality manufactures arises from their wide range of products, colors, shapes, textures, warranties, and availability offered.  Unlike paving stones offered at big box home improvement stores, FENDT & UNILOCK offer many outlets for obtaining their products.  They also maintain an adequate inventory of products and allow for purchase directly at their manufacturing plants.

There are other good brick paver manufacturers that produce here in Michigan or ship into the State, but their availability and sufficient stock of inventory usually is lacking. All my bidding & design utilizes FENDT or UNILOCK products. My crew and myself are very familiar with the possibilities and limitations of these products.

My 30 years experience with these companies has allowed me to witness their commitment to guaranteeing their respective products.  If it is not right, they will replace their products.  Both manufacturers have a Sales & Service representative structure that will advise & train contractor or homeowner alike.

When bidding a paver project, I usually do not favor any one manufacturer over the other.  I evaluate the homeowner's need and budget before recommending which products, colors, textures, etc..  should be proposed.  I am confident in the quality & performance of both paver manufacturer's products so the overall project design, color, and paver shape will determine which manufacturer will be recommended.

Brick Pavers Maintenance Tips to do this Fall

Simple Paver Maintenance tasks will insure long term performance

 Fall has arrived and as you begin to do your lawn & landscape pre-winter maintenance tasks, do not forget about your brick paver patio, walkway, porch, steps, driveway, etc.. .  There are some simple paver maintenance tasks that need to be performed in the Midwest before Winter.  If your prior brick paver contractor or landscaper did not properly educate you on these needs, I am here to help you.

 Here is an earlier article I posted regarding Winter Maintenance for Brick Pavers that will help insure endless years of beauty & function of your paver patios, walkways, and driveways.  After 29 years of experience, analysis, & visual feedback, I have spent more time educating my clients on paver maintenance requirements that in turn leads to the reduced need for added future paver repair services. 



I would like to expand on a couple of my paver maintenance tips from the earlier post so we can keep up with the ever evolving feedback I witness and receive back from clients.

The first piece of advice is to remove ALL items from your paver patio, walkway, etc.. that will stay stationary over the Winter.  This includes your patio table.  Each Spring I witness patios with 4 sunken pavers where each leg of the table meets the paving stones.  Just place your patio table in your landscape beds or lawn for the Winter. Do Not forget to remove the umbrella base too!  I am often asked about the grill since most people still use there's during the Winter months.  Just try to relocate (roll) slightly a few times during the winter so the legs & wheels do not stay on the same paving stones all Winter.

Second, touch up sweep any brick paver joints that lack joint sand going into the Winter.  We want to make sure that water during any rains or melt-off this Winter will flow over and off the pavers, not down into the joints.   If you have a raised paver patio with a modular wall block & cap on the outside perimeter, pay special attention to the joint between the outside brick paver and the block cap. This is the same for pavers inside block caps of paver steps and porches.

I am very passionate about the brick paver industry and I never install, repair, or restore a brick paver project with the intent to have to come back and repair.  My goal is to functionally create or bring back to life a paver patio, walkway, driveway, etc.. , educate the customer on maintenance needs they can easily perform themselves, and then be there when the customer needs our brick paver services.

Paver Walkway updates Historic Home in Ypsilanti

Aesthetics and Function play role in this Brick Paver Walk installation

This past week a homeowner wanted us to update the look and accessibility of this historical home in Ypsilanti, MI.  The homeowner was looking to improve the experience of Historic Home visitors at this Summer's home tour. I designed a simple traditional look using modern interlocking brick pavers to create a subtle meandering walking with flares at each end.


The product of choice was Fendt's Holland Paver in Rustic Blend color. The laying pattern was a common "runner bond" or "staggered joint" pattern with a soldier course border frame.  The traditional 4" by 8" brick shape pavers are usually your most economical solution.  With some design creativity the traditional brick shape can be laid in several patterns to give some distinct contrast or quilting effect. The use of multiple colors is another effective technique of this brick shape to achieve added variety & character.

The end result was a simple ,dignified , and economical solution to a need for improved appearance and function.  My crew was able to install this brick paver walkway from start to finish in one day and brought a smile to the homeowner's face. With routine Spring sand sweeping of the paver joints, this paver walk will give endless years of performance.

The 2013 budget has already been set to replace and expand the current back concrete patio area with matching brick pavers which facilitates the event's cookout & gathering location.