How to Set a Diagonal Herringbone Brick Pattern

Thinking about laying a new brick patio? Read this first. We'll show you how to lay a trendy herringbone brick pattern.

covered brick patio with a fireplace
Photo:

Gordon Beall 

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 day
  • Total Time: 1 day
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $2 to $8 sq. ft for bricks
  • Yield: Herringbone brick surface

A diagonal herringbone brick pattern is one of the most challenging patio designs to lay, not so much because the pattern itself is complicated, but because keeping the units properly in line is difficult. That being said, the effort is well worth it. The diagonal herringbone brick pattern will add major style and elegance to your outdoor living space.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Pencil
  • Straightedge
  • Measuring tape

Materials

  • Bricks
  • Stakes
  • String for stakes

Instructions

How to Lay a Herringbone Brick Pattern

  1. SCM_117_01.jpg

    Better Homes & Gardens

    Measure and Mark

    To gauge the starting point of the herringbone brick pattern, mark a 45-degree angle on the corner of one brick. Then, set out nine bricks. Line up the leading corners of the brick with a straightedge. Then, measure the distance between the 45-degree line and the straightedge and make a note of it.

  2. SCM_117_02.jpg

    Better Homes & Gardens

    Lay Next Set of Bricks

    Using the measurement from Step 1, stake a line inside and parallel to the edge restraints. Lay the first two bricks so the outside corner of one and the inside corner of the other fall on the line. Lay two more bricks and square them.

  3. SCM_117_03.jpg

    Better Homes & Gardens

    Continue Starter Row

    Continue laying bricks on this starter row of the herringbone brick pattern, making sure the inside and outside corners are lined up as in Step 2. Continue the starter row to the other end of the site.

  4. SCM_117_04.jpg

    Better Homes & Gardens

    Lay Second Row

    Starting at the beginning of the starter row, lay the second brick of this row against one leg of the starter row, then lay the first brick against the edge restraint. Lay the remaining bricks in this row; do not lay the next row until you finish this row.

  5. SCM_117_05.jpg

    Better Homes & Gardens

    Continue Laying and Checking

    After you've laid two more single rows as in Step 4, stretch a line along the corners. They should line up. Reposition them if they don't. Continue laying the herringbone brick pattern. Check to make sure the bricks line up, and then cut bricks to fit the edges and finish the site with sand.

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