Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Umar Farooq
Unilock Brussels pavers, sold as Brussels Block, are 2 3/4-inch-thick (70 mm) concrete pavers that are tumbled in a drum after curing to chip and round their edges into an old-cobble look. Unilock calls it the original tumbled paver in North America, introduced in 1993, and still its most popular. It comes in three sizes (half, standard and XL) and Unilock rates it for patios, walkways, borders and driveways. One Kansas dealer's 2025 list prices it at $7.92 a square foot. The details are in our piece on belgian block pavers.
Why the tumbled look is forgiving
Tumbling knocks the pavers against each other until the corners break and the faces scuff, so they look decades old on day one. It also hides small sins: a joint line that wanders a little, or a cut slightly off square, doesn't jump out the way it would on a crisp modern slab. Unilock's contractor pages say handling, laying and cutting are easier for exactly this reason. (It's the rare building product where a bit of damage is the selling point.)
The trade-off is in the joints. Rounded edges leave wider, irregular gaps near the surface, so fill with polymeric sand to about 1/8 inch below the chamfer. Unilock calls polymeric sand the "best option" for Brussels joints, and ordinary concrete sand the "good" one.
Unilock Brussels pavers: sizes, bundles and weights
The packaging table on Unilock's Brussels Block product page gives the order-by numbers:
| Size | Face dimensions | Per bundle | Units | Weight each |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half | 4 x 6 7/8 in | 88.70 sq ft | 448 | 6.4 lb |
| Standard | 6 7/8 x 8 1/4 in | 94.91 sq ft | 240 | 13 lb |
| XL | 8 1/4 x 13 3/4 in | 95.70 sq ft | 120 | 26 lb |
A full bundle weighs 2,865 to 3,112 lb, but every piece is light enough to set by hand, which makes Brussels a friendlier DIY paver than the large slabs.
Colors depend on region. The Chicago page lists Sandstone, Sierra, River and Limestone, while the New York page lists Limestone, Sierra and Sandstone and shows only the half and standard sizes. Check your region, then ask the dealer what's in the yard.
Brussels Block pattern sheets
Unilock publishes pattern sheets for each size and mix:
- Standard alone: stack bond, running bond and herringbone.
- Half alone: running bond and herringbone.
- Mixed sizes: a long list of multi-unit random patterns, which give the most old-world look.
For a border, Unilock suggests Copthorne, a crisper paver that frames the tumbled field. Herringbone is the pattern to use where vehicles turn, because it locks best under turning tires. Our Beacon Hill guide covers the opposite style, Unilock Beacon Hill pavers, if you're comparing a large-format look.
Brussels Block on a driveway: drive on the standard and half
Unilock lists all three sizes for driveways on its Chicago page. I checked them against CMHA's Tech Spec 10 aspect-ratio guidance, which divides a paver's length by its thickness. Up to 3:1 suits any vehicle use, 3:1 to 4:1 is fine for light traffic such as a home driveway, and from 4:1 up, keep cars off.
- Half: 6 7/8 / 2 3/4 = about 2.5:1.
- Standard: 8 1/4 / 2 3/4 = 3:1.
- XL: 13 3/4 / 2 3/4 = 5:1.
So my advice is simple: build the driveway from standard and half units, and keep the XL for the patio and walkway. A long, thin unit under a turning tire acts like a lever, so it rocks and cracks sooner than a stubby one.
Underneath, Unilock specifies 6 to 8 inches of 3/4-inch crusher run compacted to 98% standard Proctor density, a 1-inch coarse sand bed, and optionally a DriveGrid stabilization layer, with 8 to 10 inches of total depth recommended. On wet, weak or frost-prone soil, go to the deep end of that range. Our paver driveway installation walkthrough covers the whole build.
Price and value
Unilock doesn't publish prices. Pine Landscape Center in Lawrence, Kansas lists Brussels Block at $7.92 per sq ft retail in its 2025 sheet, the same for all three sizes. That's below the Beacon Hill range and well below Unilock's Elegance lines; see our Unilock pavers price comparison. Sealing is optional, per Unilock's notes.
Tumbled, cheap to fix, and happiest in stubby sizes
Unilock Brussels pavers suit anyone who wants an old-cobble look without natural cobble prices, and their small units make them one of the easier Unilock products to lay yourself. Drive on the standard and half, save the XL for where people walk, and fill the joints with polymeric sand. When a paver eventually cracks, pop it out and drop in a spare. On a tumbled field, nobody will ever spot the new one.
FAQ
What sizes does Unilock Brussels Block come in?
Three sizes, all 2 3/4 inches (70 mm) thick: half at 4 x 6 7/8 inches, standard at 6 7/8 x 8 1/4 inches, and XL at 8 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches. Not every region stocks the XL.
Can Brussels Block be used on a driveway?
Yes. Unilock rates Brussels Block for driveways. The standard and half sizes fall within CMHA's guidance for vehicle traffic, while the long XL unit is a better fit for patios and walkways.
What colors does Brussels Block come in?
It depends on your region. Unilock's Chicago page lists Sandstone, Sierra, River and Limestone, and the New York page lists Limestone, Sierra and Sandstone.
How much do Unilock Brussels pavers cost?
One Kansas dealer's 2025 retail list shows $7.92 per square foot, sold by the full bundle. Installed cost is much higher once base, labor and edging are added.
