Choose your favorite paving bond
When it comes to choosing a bond for laying pavers, visual appearance and functionality are the key factors. 45° or 90° herringbone, stretcher bond or mirror diagonal: depending on how the surface will be used, the choice may be based on individual planning aspects or prescribed by technical regulations (e.g. in road construction). The laying bond also determines important specifications for the course and width of the joint construction.
As a general rule, only one single uniform bond should be used on any given area. The laying bond determines the strength of the paving. Different bonds used in a single cohesive area can create a confusing visual impression. Combined bonds may also require adjustments to the base layers, causing planning and execution to take more time and incurring higher costs. By adding special shaped pavers, such as bishop’s caps, at specific points in a paving bonds that is otherwise homogeneous, a wide range of possibilities can be opened up to create a surface bond that is uniform yet full of variety. Last but not least, additional variation can be achieved by using pavers of different colours.
Harmonising form and function of paving bonds
In the context of urban planning, clay pavers need to be adapted to suit the often conflicting usage requirements. In private applications, on the other hand, there is more freedom. In addition to design aspects, there are ecological issues and the fundamental goal of sustainability to consider. The paving bonds chosen in the planning process always form the foundation. The most common bonds include:
- The stretcher bond
- 45° herringbone
- 90° herringbone
- Basket weave
- Mirrored diagonal
In addition to the common paving bonds, there are numerous special forms such as the half-offset bond, the English bond, the Della Robbia bond or the spiral bond. Instead of the usual rectangular formats, square pavers can also be used, for example to create borders around trees or transitions at the walls of buildings. Vandersanden will be happy to provide you with additional information on request.
Stretcher bond
The stretcher bond is the most commonly used form of paving and can be achieved with square or rectangular pavers. A linear and visually discreet image results from a stretcher bond, without having to use special fitting pieces. Stretcher bonds are also relatively easily to create in an arch form.
45° herringbone
In the 45° herringbone bond, the 45° staggered arrangement of the pavers gives the surface a high level of stability. The offset of the rectangular stones ensures that loads (especially horizontal forces) are more dissipated. At the same time, the even distribution of the joint lengths provides optimum grip, so the 45° herringbone bond is often used on garage entrances and other slopes. However, for an even finish of the edge areas of a surface, fitting stones such as bishop’s caps must be used. The 45° herringbone can also be arranged as a Keper bond.
90° herringbone
Like the 45° herringbone bond, the 90° version or elbow bond is based on a staggered arrangement of pavers. By placing rectangular stones next to each other, alternating the narrow and the long side, a pattern is created that is visually clear and at the same time varied. This bond is often used in road and pathway construction.
Basket weave
The basket weave bond consists of rectangular pavers arranged side by side in small blocks of two or three. The blocks can also be arranged around a square centre stone, allowing a wide range of variations. In the basket weave bond, however, the way in which the joints are arranged, makes the paving less resistant to deformation arising from exposure to load. Basket weave bonds are therefore mainly used as decorative paving for gardens and terraces and not for surfaces designed for vehicles.
Mirrored diagonal
A mirrored diagonal bond, like the herringbone bond, involves rectangular pavers arranged with a 45° offset. Since the bricks are arranged diagonally to the path, this bond creates the visual impression of a series of arrows stacked on top of each other. Diagonal bonds have high surface stability and are popular in both gardening and landscaping and in the design of traffic areas.
Type of use defines the joint design
If a clay paver is to be used as a road surface, certain paving bons are usually ruled out. This mainly involves designs that contain cross joints and/or longitudinal joints in the direction of travel (running bond, basketweave). In contrast, herringbone and mirrored diagonal bonds have high horizontal displacement resistances and are also suitable for paving areas subjected to heavy loads.
In relation to the joint axes, the chosen installation bond must have a uniform course. Over a 4 metres distance, the deviation should not exceed +/- 5 mm. Larger or smaller differences tend to be visually perceived as uneven. Only in the area of transitions and curves can it become necessary to deviate from the principle of uniformity in order to fulfil technically specified requirements. In addition, depending on how the clay paver is used, the minimum joint widths prescribed by the technical regulations may also need to be observed. Within the permissible dimensional tolerances for pavers, however, it may be necessary to exceed the maximum width of the joints at individual points, without affecting the overall deformation resistance of the surface.
For more details on paver bonds, please refer to the technical brochure.