Brick Bonding Patterns - a Guide
A Complete Guide to Brick Bonding Patterns
When it comes to creating visually striking and durable brick walls, the type of brick bond you choose plays a crucial role. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common brick bonding patterns, including stretcher bond, stack bond, header bond, and more. Whether you’re working on a residential home, commercial project, or restoration, understanding these brick bond types is essential for a great facade.
What is Brick Bonding?
Brick bonding refers to the arrangement of bricks in a pattern that ensures the structural integrity of the wall. Bonding is crucial for maintaining the strength of brickwork, helping to distribute the weight evenly, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the construction. Proper brick bonding patterns are essential for both practical and design purposes.
Types of Brick Bonds
There are several different brick bonds, each offering distinct characteristics and uses. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular brick bond patterns.
Stretcher Bond
One of the most widely used brick bonding patterns is the stretcher bond. This pattern involves bricks laid lengthwise, with each brick overlapping the one beneath it. It is often used for creating simple, clean walls and is commonly seen in both residential and commercial constructions.
Header Bond
The header bond consists of bricks laid horizontally with their ends facing outward. This pattern is often used for creating strong, thick walls that require extra stability. It’s frequently used in combination with other patterns for architectural variety.
Flemish Bond
The traditional Flemish brick bond features alternate stretchers and headers on every course, with the headers centered over the stretchers underneath. Beginning in the 18th century, Flemish bond gained prevalence, superseding English bond. This bond can be replicated in the half-brick outer leaf of a cavity wall by using whole bricks as stretchers, while headers are fashioned by half bricks known as bats or snap-headers.
English Bond
The English bond alternates between rows of stretchers and headers. This classic bond provides great strength and is often used in traditional brickwork. It is highly effective for load-bearing walls and can be an excellent choice for large-scale projects.
Stack Bond
The stack bond is another popular brick bond pattern. Unlike stretcher bond, the bricks are stacked directly on top of each other, creating a neat, linear pattern. While stack bonds are visually striking, they are often used for decorative purposes rather than structural strength.
Mortar/Grout Style
Flush Mortar Joint
Recessed Mortar Joint
Weather Struck & Cut Mortar Joint
Weather Struck Mortar Joint
Further to bond patterns, mortar joint profiles also provide a number of options that will impact on the overall look of the finished build. It also plays an important role in the weather resistance of brickwork. The choice of joint profile should be based on technical performance requirements as well as appearance.
Brick Orientation
The orientation of brick laying plays a crucial role in crafting captivating patterns and enhancing the value of any wall. The widely favored arrangement is the brick on bed, showcasing the stretcher face.
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For distinctive detailing, bricks can be positioned on end in a soldier course orientation. It's important to note that the quoted compressive strength of the brick may decrease in this arrangement.
Another creative option involves placing the brick on edge to fashion features like cappings, commonly referred to as Rowlock. It's essential to be aware that the quoted compressive strength of the brick is likely to decrease in this orientation as well.
Mortar Colour
Mortar plays a significant role, constituting 15-17% of the visible brickwork in a wall, contingent on the bond pattern. Therefore, another crucial aspect in determining the overall appearance of a building is the color of the mortar.
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Even the same brick can exhibit a completely different aesthetic when paired with different mortar colours. It's essential to verify that the chosen mortar complements the surrounding built environment, especially in the case of repointing existing brickwork.
We recommend experimenting with various mortar colors during the selection process to guarantee that the final product achieves the precise look and feel you desire.
