Calculate the bricks you need.

[Tumbleweed]

Brick and other solid paver's usually measure 4"x8". To cover one square foot area that means you will need 4.5 bricks per square foot. Experts have differing opinions about how many extra bricks you should order for breakage and mistakes but it ranges from 5% to 10%, however, it seems to come down to this: For uncomplex flat projects add 5% and if it is a complex and intricate pattern add 10%.

How to calculate flat brick area:
  Width * height = total square footage
  Total square footage * 4.5 = Number of base bricks
  Number of base bricks * .05 = Total number of extra bricks
  Number of base bricks + Total number of extra bricks = Total bricks needed

How to calculate a complex brick area:
  Width * height = total square footage
  Total square footage * 4.5 = Number of base bricks
  Number of base bricks * .10 = Total number of extra bricks
  Number of base bricks + Total number of extra bricks = Total bricks needed

If you want the paver bricks to form an edging you can lay them end-to-end to form a four-inch wide edge and you will need about 1.5 bricks per lineal foot. If you want an edging eight inches wide you'll need three bricks per lineal foot.

How to calculate the 4 inch wide edge:
  Lineal foot * 1.5 = Number of bricks needed
How to calculate the 8 inch wide edge:
  Lineal foot * 3 = Number of bricks needed

[Nigel]

:DIf I'm not mistaken ( for arguments sake let's assume I'm not ) this is the same or/and formula that was used to create the song, ''She's a Brick House''.

If I'm wrong (which I doubt) Prove It . . . Hee.heee

[Tumbleweed]

Your a silly nut!

[Nigel]

:DWell at least I'm not a 'cracked' nut (yet) Yuck~ Yuck

[crawfordstuart]

The calculation will also allow do-it-yourselfers to avoid the frustration of having too few bricks to complete the job or from overpaying for too many. When it comes to gathering materials, home and property owners who are new to masonry work should purchase the needed amount of brick plus a few dozen extra to account for breakages.

[Tumbleweed]

Hi crawfordstuart,
Welcome!
You are so correct. I tend to want to get a little more than I need because I'm not so good at cutting bricks and that goes for tiles too.