Winston-Salem, NC – April 5, 2002 – Patios and pathways add character and curb appeal to a home. These “outdoor rooms” can add 77% return on investment at home sale time, according to the National Association of Realtors and Realtor Magazine.

More and more, homeowners are choosing brick, according to Ted Corvey, Paver Director of Pine Hall Brick, the nation's leading supplier of clay pavers. “Clay pavers have a timeless look that only improves with age,” Corvey says. Also, brick is easier for the do-it-yourselfer to install. See www.pinehallbrick.com.

“A common misconception is that clay pavers have to be installed in concrete and mortar,” says Corvey. “But a brick patio laid on a bed of crushed stone over a sand bed is the most durable and economic because it weathers freeze-thaw cycles better than any other segmental paving system.”

If you plan to install your own brick patio, follow these tips for best results: · Prepare a 4” base of compacted crushed stone under a 1” layer of concrete sand. · Base should be level and sloped approximately 1/4" per foot for drainage. · Place pavers on the sand, following your chosen pattern and keeping a 1/8” space between pavers. · Install edging to hold bricks in place–either bricks standing on edge, plastic strips or metal edging with 10" spikes. · Compact the pavers into the sand using a hand tamp or plate compactor. · Sweep concrete sand across the surface to fill the cracks between the bricks. The sand interlocks the bricks tightly together for maximum strength.

“People want to put their money where they can enjoy it, see the value and watch it grow,” says Brian Robinett, a broker with Fox Den Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. “For most people, there’s no place like home.”

A National Association of Home Builders survey found that adding an outdoor room is second in popularity only to room additions or remodeling the kitchen or bath. It’s also the least expensive project per square foot.

An average patio can be completed in a weekend if you purchase materials in advance. For more information about do-it-yourself projects, purchasing bricks and where to find a local distributor, visit www.pinehallbrick.com or call 1-800-95BRICK.

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