In the world of hardscape design, dark brick pavers present an unbelievable charm. For many, bricks are already the best kind of paving stones around, and dark-colored ones are the definition of beauty. But how do they really hold up? It’s always nice to know the pros and cons of this material before investing your resources in an ambitious project.
Keep reading the article for some tips and inspirational ideas on dark brick pavers! Or, in case you’re looking for specific information about bricks, check out our complete guide here.
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What Are Dark Brick Pavers?
As a building material, brick has a limited range when it comes to shapes and sizes, but it offers a great variation of earthly shades and hues – including black. This is due to its composition, which can be slightly altered to create weaker or stronger tones of clay. You can find some colorful bricks out there, too, although they are not so common.
Bricks are considered a very elegant and timeless choice, ideal for more rustic and simple aesthetics. Modern designs often incorporate dark brick pavers to bring out that minimalistic, smooth look of black surfaces – a perfect addition to driveways, backyards, and front patios.
Before we go any further, keep in mind these paving stones are fabricated this way – and not stained by any kind of chemical substance.
Dark brick pavers differ from bricks that turned black due to climate conditions and poor care. You see, just like any hardscape material, things like moisture, dirt, and mold can visually (and physically) damage your pavers, creating dark spots in them. You can learn how to fix that problem in this article.
Dark Brick Pavers: Pros and Cons
All in all, dark bricks can aggregate a lot to a house – but they also come with some downsides along the way. Below, we’ve listed a few things that are worth considering before making up your mind.
Pros
Dark tones, whether you like them or not, evoke a very dynamic contrast in home design. They are perfect for bold borders and corner accents – especially when alternated with light-colored units. Choosing dark pavers for your perimeter will surely make your ambiance stand out from afar – and also camouflage eventual stains, even up close.
On top of that, we have heat absorption. Red bricks are naturally prone to getting hot on sunny days – let alone dark ones. This not only means warmer feet for us, but they can also soak up sun rays and melt snow at a faster speed during the winter.
Finally, we have the curb appeal – and everything that it stands for, including the increase in your house’s resale value. Black has always been a trending color because it’s neutral, matching almost any residential or commercial structure. It complements most exteriors, enhancing furniture, windows, gutters, and shutters.
Cons
With that said, dark pavers will most likely fade away over time, even after the right amount of sealing. Sun exposure is a thing, so there’s no way around it.
Speaking of maintenance, establishing a cleaning routine is not out of the question, either, even if stains and cracks are harder to see on a dark surface. To prolong its lifetime, you need to take care of your project like you would any other.
Additionally, the stored heat inside dark brick pavers can become a hassle during the summer – and due to the very same reasons, for that matter. This is why bricks are avoided in pool decks and barbecue areas, where colder materials such as travertine are more conventional in the long run.
Inspirational Ideas For Your Future Project
So, ready to see some ideas for your next investment? Depending on your town, dark brick pavers are harder to come by, so the total costs may vary. Nevertheless, you now have a pretty good sense of their cost-benefit, so we hope we can enlighten you even further.
Check out some beautiful projects made of dark pavers out there:
Get Professional Help With Brick Pavers
You see, the help of a professional hardscape contractor is pivotal to the success of your project. Despite it being a very common and easily found commercial resource, experts can help you choose the best materials and give you a hand with the entire installation process. Therefore, find a professional in your area you can trust before making any final decisions!
And if you happen to be around our area of activity, the Sarasota and Manatee counties, in Florida, why not give us a call to help you?
We here at JS Brick have 22 years of experience in the field with a huge list of satisfied customers – and we would be glad to add you to this list.
Contact us right now at +1 941 586 9140 or [email protected] for a free estimate. We would be happy to hear from you!
