Learn How to Install Beautiful Brick Pavers in Your Kitchen

More and more homeowners are using brick pavers for their kitchen floors because of their classic aesthetic and legendaryDurability.

But while stunning when installed properly, brick paver floors do require some expertise and effort to get perfect long-lasting results. From preparing the necessary subfloor to laying out patterns and properly grouting seams, the process requires attention to detail.

The good news? With the right guidance and techniques, you can absolutely tackle a DIY brick paver kitchen floor installation and unlock their full benefits for your home.

Brick Paver Flooring Benefits and Considerations

Before we dive into the installation process, let's quickly recap why brick pavers make an excellent kitchen flooring choice:

• Extreme durability - Properly installed and sealed, brick pavers can last over 40 years!
• Customizable aesthetic - Build unique patterns and designs with color and texture options
• Moisture and stain resistance - Non-porous pavers won't absorb liquids when sealed
• Classic, welcoming style - The natural brick look offers vintage farmhouse charm

That said, brick pavers do come with a higher installation cost than some other popular kitchen flooring materials. The cement subfloor and mortar bed requirements also add project complexity.

For many homeowners, however, the unbeatable lifetime value and customization potential make brick pavers a worthwhile investment over temporary trends.

Types of Brick Pavers

Before selecting your pieces, you'll need to decide which brick paver material fits your kitchen design vision:

Clay

Clay brick pavers offer the most traditional, Old World aesthetic. They come in various earth tones and burnt shades for a charming vintage personality.

Concrete

More budget-friendly than clay, concrete brick pavers mimic the look at a lesser price point. They're ideal for contemporary kitchen styles.

Porcelain

Porcelain pavers provide staining and water resistance equal to ceramic tile but with a classic brick shape and finish. Great for high moisture areas.

Brick Paver Styles and Patterns

Beyond material, brick pavers invite creativity through practically endless patterns and designs using shape, color, and texture combinations.

Some top arrangements for kitchens include:

• Herringbone: Angled rows creating a V-shape provides visual interest
• Basketweave: Interwoven rows in opposing directions embody casual elegance
• Running Bond: Simple, straight rows in the same direction exude comfortable charm

Don't limit yourself, though! Feel empowered to build custom layouts matching your personality and vision.

Color and Texture Possibilities

When ordering materials, also consider the tones and textures blending best with your cabinets, countertops, appliances and other finishes.

Mix colors within the same hue family for subtle contrast or go bold with drastically different brick types! Combine glazed, polished, or tumbled pieces for extra depth.

Remember - the options for creativity are endless with brick pavers. Sample layouts on the floor first to ensure your design comes together seamlessly before full installation.

Hiring a Contractor vs. DIY Paver Installation

At this point, an understandable question arises - can I realistically install brick pavers myself or should I hire a contractor?

The choice depends on your skill level, available time, and tolerance for imperfection. Contractors complete installations daily, equipped with specialized tools, materials access, and knowledge to efficiently achieve quality results.

Ambitious DIYers can certainly take on the project, but be prepared to put in hard work learning techniques for excellent execution.

If hiring out, get recommendations and examples of previous kitchen paver jobs. Provide desired material types and layouts so expectations align from the start. And don't be shy asking lots of questions!

Required Supplies and Tools

To prep for success, gather all necessary installation gear ahead of time whether taking the DIY or contractor route. Must-haves include:

• Trowels for applying mortar and grout
• Grout float for smoothing, shaping finished grout
• Spacers for consistent seam widths between pavers
• Mixing buckets and drills for mortar and grout
• Wet saw with diamond blade for precise paver cutting

Assembling everything needed saves frustration and ensures you can knock the project out efficiently from beginning to end.

Step 1: Demolishing Old Flooring

If installing over an existing kitchen floor, full removal down to the substrate comes first. Take out old hardwood, laminate, tile and any adhesive until a clean, flat, and stable surface remains.

Be extremely thorough with demolition - any debris left under new brick pavers will prevent proper adherence and shorten the floor's lifespan.

Creating a Proper Subfloor

Once debris clears, assess if the substrate alone provides enough stability for the cement board or if additional framework becomes necessary.

Typically, 5/8" thick cement board suffices directly over wood or concrete. It establishes a perfectly flat surface for the mortar bed and resists moisture.

If the floor feels "bouncy" add reinforcement beams between existing joists or pour a fresh thin concrete layer to prevent future cracking issues from instability.

Slope Considerations

A 1/4" per foot slope gets integrated at the subfloor phase, as well. Angle downwards from walls to central floor drains allowing water drainage and preventing pooling.

Use a straight, long board resting on marks measured from wall to wall to guide the slope creation consistently across the whole substrate area.

Step 2: Laying Out Pavers and Patterns

With prep complete, the fun begins - assembling beautiful designs with your brick paver materials!

Use chalk on the mortar bed to sketch a guideline for the full pattern. This allows adjusting shapes and spacing digitally first before committing through permanent adhesion.

The starter row along one edge often requires cutting some bricks lengthwise for proper fit and spacing. Always keep cut edges facing the wall, not exposed outwards.

Next, build up Through loose dry fitting across the layout not yet set in mortar. This confirms accurate dimensions before permanent setting.

Cutting Pavers to Size

As rows fill in, focus and patience becomes necessary for precise sizing and custom cuts.

For straight lines along walls, a chisel and hammer create clean edges. Use a wet saw outfitted with a diamond blade for intricate interior cuts matching patterns.

Let the saw do the work without forcing bricks through too quickly. Rushing increases chipping chances. Go slow and steady!

Setting Pavers in Mortar

With all shaping and sizing complete, mix up a batch of mortar cement thinner than grout according to manufacturer specifications.

Using the trowel, spread it across roughly one square foot of cement board before lowering pavers flat into position piece by piece.

Leave brick face edges tight but not quite touching for correct spacing. Use cross spacers during installation to lock in consistent seam sizes for smooth grouting later.

Gently press down installed pavers to squeeze mortar up into sides and ensure full contact adhesion across the bottom.

Step 3 - Grouting Paver Seams

Allow 24 hours minimum curing time before grouting once all pavers adhere to the mortar bed. This prevents joints breaking by resisting slight brick movement from pressure.

When ready, mix a batch of unsanded grout to a firm, clay-like texture using less water than mortar. Slowly pour and pack it forcibly into the brick joints from multiple angles.

Excess squeezes up - let it firm slightly before smoothing and shaping edges by "cutting" at a 45 degree angle across seams in a consistent direction.

Remove spacers carefully as you progress in manageable sections. Running bond patterns with straight grout lines prove less intricate for beginners than diagonal layouts.

Allow 72 hours for grout drying and curing before light foot traffic. Wait a full 28 days before major appliance delivery or heavy use.

Sealing and Protecting Brick Paver Floors

The final step before enjoying years of custom flooring establishes a protective seal preventing staining or moisture damage.

Cleaning and Prepping Floors

First, wash floors with a pH neutral cleaner and rinse well. Acids left from grout or cleaning chemicals compromise sealer adhesion and performance.

Ensure 100% dryness since sealants can't penetrate damp surfaces. Place fans to speed evaporation if needed.

Choosing a Sealant

Penetrating sealers work best for porous masonry materials like brick and grout. Unlike surface film options, they soak in for lasting stability and easier renewing later on.

Select a non-gloss formula unless desiring a subtle sheen enhancement. Glossy finishes feel slippery underfoot in kitchens receiving inevitable spills.

Applying Sealant

Roll or brush two thin applications for complete, even coverage, allowing proper drying time between coats.

Start with grout joints to prevent over-absorption then finish across bricks evenly. Distribute gently - don't allow pooling even if it requires extra coats.

Drying takes just 30-60 minutes between layers. Avoid foot traffic for 24 hours total after finishing.

Reapplication Schedule

Expect to reapply penetrating sealant every two to three years on average depending on traffic and wear patterns in your kitchen.

Annual inspections help gauge condition so you can touch up any compromised areas as needed before they become problematic.

With proper installation and sealing techniques, brick paver floor maintenance proves blissfully simple.

Daily sweep to remove loose dirt and debris to prevent ground-in accumulation then mop occasionally with pH neutral gentle cleaner diluted in warm water.

That's all for routine care besides the aforementioned sealant touch-ups!