As a blogger who has done some research on home decoration and courtyard building, I'd like to talk to you about paving square bricks today. Whether you're renovating the floor of an old house or giving your small courtyard a makeover, choosing the right bricks and paving them well can definitely enhance the overall effect by several levels.

I. Selection of Square Bricks

There is a wide variety of square bricks on the market, differing in materials, sizes, colors, and textures. In terms of materials, common ones include clay bricks, cement bricks, ceramic tiles, and the popular permeable bricks in recent years. Clay bricks have a simple and primitive texture, suitable for retro-style courtyards or partial decoration indoors; cement bricks offer high cost performance, are strong and durable, and are a perfect choice for industrial-style decoration; ceramic tiles are smooth and bright, easy to clean, and widely used in indoor living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms; permeable bricks are the environmentally friendly top choice for outdoor sidewalks and courtyards, effectively dealing with water accumulation problems.

Regarding sizes, the commonly used 600mm×600mm and 800mm×800mm specifications indoors create a grand and regular layout, making the space look spacious. In small spaces like bathrooms, 300mm×300mm bricks can be flexibly arranged and avoid waste caused by cutting large bricks. For outdoor courtyards, depending on the area and design style, you can choose custom sizes such as 200mm×200mm or even larger to piece together unique patterns.

Colors and textures directly determine the aesthetic appearance. The Nordic style prefers plain-colored bricks like light gray and off-white, paired with simple textures; Chinese-style courtyards favor bluish-gray bricks with carved flowers and fret patterns, full of ancient charm; the modern minimalist style features solid-color glossy or matte bricks with irregular geometric textures, instantly enhancing the fashion sense.

II. Preparations Before Paving

Site cleaning is the crucial first step. Indoors, the ground must be free of dust, debris, and protrusions, otherwise, the paved bricks are likely to become hollow. For outdoor courtyards, the land needs to be leveled, soft soil layers dug out, and the foundation compacted. When encountering slopes, stepped layered treatment must be carried out to prevent the bricks from sliding and shifting.

For measurement and setting out, tools like a leveling instrument and a theodolite are used to accurately measure the length and width and draw the reference lines to ensure that the brick joints are straight vertically and horizontally. This step directly affects the regularity of the final finished product. Additionally, based on the brick size and paving design, calculate the required number of bricks reasonably and reserve an extra 5% - 10% to account for wastage.

In terms of material preparation, besides the main square bricks, binding materials such as cement, sand, and tile adhesive (commonly used indoors) must also be prepared, proportioned and mixed evenly to ensure firm paving.

III. Paving Techniques

Indoor paving starts from the corner and proceeds row by row and column by column along the reference lines. The tile adhesive is evenly spread on the back of the brick with a serrated scraper to an appropriate thickness. After placing the brick, gently tap it with a rubber mallet to make it fit tightly with the ground. At the same time, observe the levelness of the brick surface and make timely adjustments. The control of brick joints relies on special spacers, commonly 2mm or 3mm in size, to ensure uniform gaps for a good subsequent caulking effect.

For outdoor paving, if it's a large courtyard, the dry-laying method is often used. First, spread a layer of coarse sand on the compacted foundation, then spread the well-mixed semi-dry cement mortar evenly and place the bricks, also tapping and leveling them. When encountering complex designs such as curved boundaries and circular patterns, cut the bricks in advance, polish the corners, and fit them together seamlessly. This really tests the craftsmanship of the workers.

IV. Later Maintenance

For the newly paved brick surface indoors, avoid heavy objects rolling over and sharp objects scratching it. Keep it well ventilated and dry to allow the binding material to fully cure. Generally, it can be walked on lightly after 2 - 3 days. Outdoor bricks are affected by sun and rain. Regularly sweep away debris and clean up stains in a timely manner. Before the low temperature in winter, check the drainage to prevent water from freezing and swelling and damaging the bricks.

Paving square bricks may seem simple, but in fact, there are tricks everywhere. From the dilemma of choosing bricks, to the meticulous paving work, and then to the persistent later maintenance, each step contributes to creating the ideal space.