Picture this. You’re driving down a quiet street and see a stunning brick driveway. The rich red colour catches your eye. The weathered look gives it character. You think, “I want that for my home.”
But here’s the question everyone asks – should you use old bricks for your driveway? We’ve been in the brick business for years. We’ve seen amazing brick driveways. We’ve also seen disasters.
Let us share what we’ve learned. The good, the bad, and the ugly truth about using old bricks for driveways.
What Makes a Good Driveway Brick?
Not all old bricks work for driveways. Your car weighs over a ton. Add your family’s cars, delivery trucks, and visitors. That’s serious weight hitting your driveway every day.
Here’s what you need to look for:
Solid Construction: The brick must be dense and hard. Soft bricks crack under pressure. You can test this. Tap the brick with a hammer. Good bricks make a clear ring. Bad ones sound dull.
No Major Cracks: Small chips are fine. Big cracks spell trouble. Water gets in these cracks. Winter comes. Water freezes. Crack gets bigger. Brick breaks.
Right Size: Driveway bricks need to be thick enough. Thin bricks break easily under the car’s weight. Look for bricks at least 2 inches thick.
The Good Side: Why People Love Used Brick Driveways
Let’s start with the positives. There are real reasons why people choose old bricks for their driveways.
They Look Amazing
Old bricks have something new bricks don’t – personality. Each one is slightly different. Some are darker. Some are lighter. Some have small marks from their previous life.
When you combine them both, you have a driveway that belongs to a magazine. People come over and tell you where to get them.
They’re Environmentally Smart
Using old bricks means fewer new ones get made. Making new bricks uses lots of energy and creates pollution. When you reuse old ones, you’re helping the planet.
Think about it. These bricks could be 100 years old. They have already served their purpose. Now they get to do it again.
Cost Savings
New brick driveways cost serious money. Used bricks cost less. Sometimes a lot less. You get the same great look for your wallet’s sake.
But here’s the catch. The savings depend on finding good used bricks at fair prices. Sometimes you
pay almost as much as for new ones.
They Last Forever (Almost)
Good old bricks have already proven they can last. They survived decades in their first home. When taken care of, they will serve another few decades in yours.
The brick driveway of my grandfather is in good condition after 40 years. Those bricks were used when he laid them.
The Challenges: What Can Go Wrong
Now for the reality check. Used brick driveways aren’t perfect. Here are the problems you might face.
Finding Enough Good Bricks
This is the biggest headache. You need thousands of bricks for a typical driveway. Finding that many good used bricks takes time and effort.
You might buy from different sources. Each batch looks slightly different. Your driveway ends up looking patchy instead of uniform.
Quality Issues
Used bricks come with history. Some of that history isn’t good. Previous owners might have painted them. Paint on driveways looks terrible and wears off unevenly.
Others might have mortar stuck to them. Cleaning mortar off thousands of bricks is backbreaking work.
Installation Challenges
Used bricks aren’t perfectly uniform like new ones. Some are slightly bigger. Some are smaller. This makes laying them evenly much harder.
Your contractor might charge extra for the additional work. Those cost savings start disappearing.
Maintenance Reality
Used brick driveways need more care than other surfaces. Weeds grow between the bricks. Some bricks might shift or crack over time.
You’ll spend weekend mornings pulling weeds and fixing loose bricks. Some people love this. Others hate it.
The Cost Breakdown: What You’ll Really Pay
Let’s talk numbers. Here’s what a typical used brick driveway might cost:
| Item | Cost Range |
| Used bricks | $200-400 per thousand |
| Sand and base materials | $300-500 |
| Labour (if hiring) | $8-15 per square foot |
| Sealing (recommended) | $2-4 per square foot |
Total for average driveway: $3,000-8,000
Compare this to concrete ($3-8 per square foot) or asphalt ($2-5 per square foot). Used bricks cost more upfront but last much longer.
Installation Tips That Actually Work
If you decide to go ahead, here’s what we’ve learned works:
Prepare the Base Right
This step makes or breaks your driveway. Dig down 8-12 inches. Add gravel. Compact it well. Add sand. Level it perfectly.
Skip this step, and your beautiful brick driveway will have waves and dips within a year.
Leave Room for Drainage
Water needs somewhere to go. The driveway should be sloped towards the street. Make sure that there are partial spaces between bricks that allow water to pass through.
Choose Your Pattern Wisely
Simple patterns work best with used bricks. Herringbone looks great, but is harder to install with irregular bricks. Running bond is easier and still looks good.
Seal Them
Used bricks benefit from sealing. This ensures that they are not stained and that they are easier to clean. Repaint the sealer after a few years.
Finding Quality Used Bricks
This is where many people struggle. You need to find the suppliers of used solid bricks in Victoria who understand driveways need special bricks.
Not all used brick sellers know the difference between wall bricks and driveway bricks. Wall bricks might look fine, but they crack under car weight.
Ask these questions:
- Are these bricks suitable for driveways?
- How old are they?
- Where did they come from?
- Can I see a sample before buying in bulk?
Good suppliers like those offering refurbished bricks in Victoria will answer honestly. They know their reputation depends on selling bricks that work for your project.
Alternatives to Consider
Maybe used bricks aren’t right for your situation. Here are other options:
New Bricks: Cost more but offer uniformity and guaranteed quality.
Brick Pavers: Made specifically for driveways. Come in brick colours and patterns.
Stamped Concrete: It has the appearance of a brick but acts as concrete.
Gravel with Brick Borders: This is used with the old bricks on the edges and gravel on the main part.
Making Your Decision
Here’s my honest advice. Used brick driveways can be fantastic. But they’re not for everyone.
Choose used bricks if:
- You love the unique look
- You don’t mind extra maintenance
- You have time to find quality bricks
- You understand the installation challenges
Skip used bricks if:
- You want the cheapest option
- You hate weekend maintenance
- You need your driveway done quickly
- You want guaranteed uniformity
The Bottom Line
Used brick driveways are like classic cars. When they’re good, they’re amazing. When they’re bad, they’re expensive headaches.
The trick is to be aware of what you are getting into. Do your homework. Find quality bricks. Hire experienced contractors. Plan for maintenance.
When you do it properly, you will have a nicer driveway every year. Neighbours will ask for your secret. Your home’s value will increase.
If you do it wrong, you’ll curse those pretty bricks every time you pull into your driveway.
The choice is yours. Just make sure you go in with your eyes wide open. Those old bricks have stories to tell. Make sure the next chapter is a good one.