Due to the constant traffic from thousands of students, the landscaping and outdoor amenities of modern campuses require regular maintenance and are constantly changing. However, the traditional look and feel of these campuses should be consistent.

Time-Honored Traditions and Change

In many cases, time-honored, traditional construction materials such as brick are used for the new construction of walkways, patios, flower beds, fountains, and other outdoor amenities. The history of using brick for landscape enhancement such as walking paths and other spaces goes back to ancient Rome. Many brick structures exist, including roads, garden beds, and paths that have survived centuries, but the process of making this organic building material has changed over the years as different types of brick have been introduced.

Not All Brick is Alike

According to Hunker.com, “Despite outward appearances, not all bricks are alike, nor are they all used for the same purpose.” For example, bricks used for building vertical structures contain holes. These bricks come in a variety of types, all designed to ensure a structure’s sturdiness. Generally, they’re used for the construction of homes or walls. The article continues,” Bricks are designed to be laid flat or stacked vertically. When building a garden, house, or wall, bricks with holes—often referred to as face bricks or structural bricks—are used. When bricks are laid in a bed of mortar, the mortar seeps into the holes and dries, securing the brick into place. This process ensures that the structure is strong and sturdy. Holed bricks are also lighter, easier to transport, and faster to lay.” Landscape architects know that not all bricks contain holes; brick pavers, which are both heavier and stronger, are designed to lay flat on the ground.

Clay Pavers Can Withstand the Traffic

The constant use and resulting wear and tear on walkways and other outside amenities of a typical college campus require sturdy construction materials. Many planners have opted to use clay pavers. Solid clay paving bricks are hard-fired in computer-controlled kilns at high temperatures to fuse the clay particles for maximum strength. This hard firing creates rich, natural colors that are impervious to ultraviolet radiation, which often causes artificially-colored concrete pavers to fade. Additionally, the clay paver surface is stain-resistant.

When clay pavers are installed in a flexible paving system, their individual strength is further enhanced by a phenomenon known as interlock. In a successful flexible paving installation, loads are distributed evenly through the interaction of pavers, jointing sand, and paving bed. Interlock can be achieved using simple tools, inexpensive bedding materials, readily available equipment, and high standards of workmanship.

Pavers Versus Concrete for Walkways

Concrete has been used for sidewalks and other high-use areas such as factory floors for generations for many reasons, including cost. Concrete is cheaper than brick pavers, but—as is often the case—this material with the lower price tag often lacks the charm and sophistication of brick. What follows is a brief comparison from several online sources:

• Beauty: unlike concrete, pavers add a touch of elegance and tradition to the campus.

• Durability: unlike pavers, concrete cannot move if the earth shifts. Earthquakes or even great temperature variations can cause concrete to crack.  Pavers are designed to move and flex because there is a layer of sand in between each paver.

• Ease of maintenance: they can be easily cleaned with a simple solution.  If the pavers have been sealed, stains can be removed by using water only.

• Ease of replacement: if a concrete sidewalk or other outside amenity cracks, the entire damaged area must be removed. With pavers, a single damaged paver can simply be replaced.

• Strength: pavers are exceedingly strong and can hold the weight of a truck.

• Design flexibility: Pavers come in a rainbow of colors, and these can be arranged in an unlimited number of patterns.

Brick Pavers as a Part of Campus Development Campaigns

Honoring past students or philanthropists who make financial gifts to the university with special monogrammed pavers has proven to be a simple but effective fund-raising strategy which allows the college to recognize those who make a lasting, personal contribution to any building project. These handsome units are made with the same attention to detail and meet the same specs as regular paving brick. With simple care, they will last decades. These monogrammed pavers come in two sizes (8” x 4” and 8” x 8”) and in seven different colors. Monograms can be marked by lasers which fuse a colored glass material to the surface, creating a smooth, easy to clean and durable look on all colors of brick.