Recycled brick works well as a flooring surface in both indoor and outdoor applications kitchens, sunrooms, courtyards, and alfresco areas are the most common uses in Australian homes. The material brings a texture and warmth that manufactured alternatives don’t replicate well, and it ages better than most surfaces rather than degrading over time. But brick flooring is less forgiving than pavers or tiles if the substrate isn’t right, and the approach differs meaningfully between indoor and outdoor applications. This guide covers what you need to know before laying, from brick selection to sealant. For broader garden uses of recycled brick, see our guide to recycled bricks for small urban gardens.
Is Recycled Brick Suitable for Flooring?
Yes, with the right brick grade and substrate preparation. The main considerations are:
- Brick grade – not all recycled bricks are suitable as flooring. Paving-grade bricks are selected for flat, consistent faces and uniform thickness, which makes them far easier to lay level and less likely to develop trip hazards than general-purpose recycled bricks with uneven profiles.
- Application – indoor brick flooring requires a solid concrete substrate (slab or suspended floor with sufficient load capacity) and a penetrating sealant to prevent moisture absorption and staining. Outdoor brick flooring on a compacted sand bed is more forgiving, but drainage design matters.
- Surface variation – recycled bricks have more face variation than new pavers. This is part of their appeal visually, but it means more time spent sorting by thickness and levelling during lay than you’d spend with a uniform manufactured product.
Indoor vs Outdoor Brick Flooring
| Factor | Indoor | Outdoor |
| Substrate | Concrete slab, bonded with adhesive mortar or mortar bed | Compacted road base + coarse sand bed, or concrete slab |
| Drainage | Not required — flat, sealed surface | Critical — 1–2% fall away from structures |
| Sealant | Essential — penetrating sealer to prevent staining and moisture ingress | Recommended — helps resist algae and moss in shaded areas |
| Brick grade | Paving grade, consistent thickness | Paving grade preferred; standard recycled acceptable on sand bed with careful levelling |
| Traffic | Sealed surface handles normal household foot traffic well | Handles heavy foot traffic, furniture, and outdoor cooking areas well |
Laying Patterns for Brick Floors
Pattern choice affects both the visual result and the amount of cutting required:
Herringbone
The most popular pattern for both indoor and outdoor brick flooring. Bricks are laid at 45-degree or 90-degree angles in a V-pattern. Herringbone is structurally interlocking, which reduces brick movement in outdoor sand-bed applications. It does require more cutting at the edges than straight patterns. The 45-degree version uses more material than the 90-degree (more diagonal cuts result in offcuts) factor this into your quantity estimate.
Running Bond
Bricks laid in straight rows, each row offset by half a brick length. Simpler to cut for and faster to lay than herringbone. A good choice for a rectangular space or where the parallel lines suit the room’s orientation.
Basket Weave
Two bricks laid horizontally, two vertically, alternating. Works well where the bricks are close to square in proportion. Gives a more geometric, formal look than running bond and less directional than herringbone.
Stacked Bond
All bricks aligned with no offset joints run straight through in both directions. Visually modern but structurally the weakest pattern for an outdoor sand-bed application. Best suited to indoor mortared installations where the substrate takes the load.
Substrate Preparation
Indoor (concrete slab)
- Check the slab is level to within 3mm over 1.8m high variation needs grinding or a levelling compound before laying.
- Sort bricks by thickness first, grouping bricks within 2–3mm of each other for consistent bed depth.
- Lay on a mortar bed (1:3 cement:sand) or use a proprietary flexible adhesive mortar the choice depends on thickness variation in the brick batch; a mortar bed accommodates more variation.
- Leave 3–5mm joints for grouting.
- Grout once the mortar has set (minimum 24 hours), then apply penetrating sealer once grout is fully cured.
Outdoor (compacted base)
- Excavate to 150–200mm depth to allow for sub-base, sand bed, and brick.
- Compact 75–100mm of road base, then screed 30–50mm of coarse sand level with a slight fall (1–2%) for drainage.
- Lay bricks tightly in your chosen pattern, checking level frequently.
- Compact gently with a plate compactor over a protective rubber mat (or rubber mallet for smaller areas). Sweep jointing sand into gaps. See our brick path laying guide for full step-by-step detail on this method.
Sealant Options
Sealant is essential for indoor brick flooring and recommended for outdoor. The main types:
- Penetrating / impregnating sealers – absorb into the brick surface without forming a film. Preserve the natural matt appearance of the brick, breathable (allows moisture vapour to pass through), don’t peel or flake. The most common choice for recycled brick flooring that needs to look authentic.
- Film-forming / topical sealers – sit on the surface as a coating, giving a sheen finish from matt through to high-gloss. More resistant to staining and easier to clean, but can look plastic on older bricks and will eventually need stripping and reapplication as the film wears. Better suited to outdoor applications where water repellency matters more than appearance.
Maintenance: indoor sealed brick floors need sweeping regularly and damp mopping with a pH-neutral cleaner (avoid acid-based cleaners, which can damage the brick surface). Reapply penetrating sealer every 3–5 years depending on traffic.
Choosing the Right Recycled Brick for Flooring
| Brick Type | Best Flooring Application | Notes |
| Paving-grade recycled bricks | Indoor floors, courtyards, high-traffic outdoor areas | Selected for consistent face and thickness essential for indoor laying |
| Sandstock bricks | Sunrooms, alfresco areas, low-traffic indoor features | Beautiful texture; higher variation in thickness means more careful sorting required |
| Red clay bricks | Outdoor patios, pool surrounds, entertaining areas | Dense, durable; handles outdoor conditions and heat well |
Note: for flooring applications, always ask specifically for paving-grade stock when ordering. Contact The Brick Pit with your area dimensions and we can advise on available grades and quantities. Use our brick quantity guide to estimate how many bricks you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can recycled brick be used for indoor flooring over a timber subfloor?
Brick is heavy a standard clay brick floor can add 50–80kg per m² depending on the bed depth. Timber subfloors in most Australian homes are not designed for this load. Before laying brick over timber, consult a structural engineer to confirm the floor’s load capacity and whether reinforcement is needed.
How do I stop indoor brick floors from looking dusty or dull?
Unsealed brick floors produce fine surface dust and absorb spills easily. A penetrating sealer applied after grouting eliminates dusting, makes cleaning straightforward, and deepens the colour slightly without adding gloss. Reseal every 3–5 years.
Is recycled brick flooring suitable for a kitchen?
Yes kitchens are one of the most common indoor applications. The main requirement is a sealed surface to prevent oil and food staining. Use a penetrating sealer rated for kitchen use, and grout with a stain-resistant grout. Avoid textured bricks in front of cooking zones where grease can accumulate in surface pits.
Can I mix new and recycled bricks in the same floor?
Yes, but colour and thickness matching is important mismatched thicknesses create an uneven floor, and new bricks alongside old can look obviously different unless the tones are compatible. See our guide to matching new bricks with recycled bricks for how to approach this.
Related Guides
- Recycled Bricks for Small Urban Gardens – parent guide to all small-space and creative uses
- How to Lay a Brick Path – detailed outdoor sand-bed laying method
- Recycled Bricks for Permaculture Garden Design – outdoor brick use in productive garden systems
To discuss paving-grade brick stock and availability, contact The Brick Pit or browse our recycled bricks range.
