How to Measure Block Paving

Block paving is a technique used to cover the surface of a roadway or walkway. Unlike asphalt paving, however, block paving uses bricks or other smaller blocks to form the surface. One of the benefits of using block paving is that it's porous, meaning that rain and snow can filter through the surface instead of cracking or damaging it. Before you begin a block paving job, you need to measure the area to determine how much block material you will need.

Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and width of the space that you are going to block pave. If you're block paving a driveway, ensure there is at least 18 feet of length and 10 feet of width for every car. As an example, you're paving a driveway that will be used by two cars. Therefore the length is 40 feet and the width is 20 feet.
- 2
  Add approximately 6 inches to either side of the block paving space (i.e. the width). This will make it easier to lay the blocks after digging. The width of the block paving space is now 21 feet.
- 3
  Calculate the area of the block paving space by multiplying the length by the width. In the example, you would multiply 40 by 21 feet. The area of the block paving space is 840 feet.
- 4
  Calculate the area of the block paving space without the 6 inches added to either side. In the example, you would multiply 40 by 20. You will need 800 feet of blocks for the paving space.
- 5
  Measure the length and width of the blocks you will use. As an example, each block measures 2 inches wide and 4 inches long.
- 6
  Calculate the area of each block by multiplying its length by its width. In the example, you would multiply 2 by 4 and get 8 inches.
- 7
  Divide the result from Step 4 by the result from Step 6 to determine the number of blocks you will need. In the example, you would divide 800 by 8. You would need approximately 100 blocks to complete this block paving job.

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