Home › Blog › Brick Paving Patterns — Melbourne Guide
By Antonio PrimeScape | April 2026 | 63 five-star reviews
When it comes to brick paving, the pattern you choose affects both the look and the structural performance of the finished surface. Here's a guide to the most common patterns and when to use each one.
Herringbone — where bricks are laid in a V-shape at 45° or 90° — is the strongest structural paving pattern. The interlocking geometry transfers load effectively in all directions, making it the go-to choice for driveways, parking areas, and any surface with vehicle traffic. It's also more resistant to edge creep (individual bricks shifting outward under load).
Running bond (staggered brick joints, like a brick wall on its side) is clean, simple, and works well for paths and patios. It's not as strong as herringbone under vehicle loads, but for pedestrian areas it's an excellent choice. Looks great with both traditional and contemporary homes.
Pairs of bricks laid alternately horizontal and vertical. This creates a distinctive, traditional look that suits heritage and period homes well. Not as strong as herringbone but visually striking. Works best on flat sites with solid edge restraints.
Bricks laid in a grid pattern with all joints aligned. This gives a clean, contemporary look but is structurally the weakest pattern — the aligned joints create continuous lines of weakness. We recommend stack bond only for decorative paths and feature areas, not for vehicle driveways.
During your free site visit, Antonio will walk you through pattern options with visual examples so you can see exactly what the finished job will look like.
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