Is cream city brick durable enough to be used for a patio (installing, light)
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I'm looking at making a patio out of bricks. Are cream city bricks durable enough or will they wear away when walked on, snow shoveled, and generally abused?
My 1912 house has cream city brick basement walls. They have no bowing issues & are in pretty good shape for 100 years old.
With that said, if you're reusing brick... you have to consider the quality that you're getting. What was it used/manufactured for? Also, if you're buying new... what is it made to be used for? Is it a reputable company?
You could end up getting bad brick but you could buy concrete bricks & also get a bad batch.
Personally, I think the look of a cream city brick patio is beautiful. I see some in restaurants around Milwaukee. Good luck on your project... and post pics!
I wonder if those restuarants are just using the brick as "facing" on a pad? I would worry that any porous light colored brick placed in direct contact with the ground (as in the usual manner of installing a brick patio) would wick up moisture from the ground. I have seen how porous bricks installed horizontally absorb mmoisture and then shatter when exposed to freezing temps. The proper type brick to use for such appliccations is what masons call a "vitrified paver" -- ideally one that absorbs less than 5% weight in water and is not particularly britttle.
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