When it comes to jobs like pointing or repointing brickwork, we are often confused with questions like:
What is the right bonding for my house?
What are the Types of Brick Bonding?
In the article below, we have discussed the types of Brick Bonding patterns prevalent in the UK. Have a read.
"What is Brick Bonding?"
Brick Bonding or simply bonding is an industry term used to describe the pattern in which the bricks are laid.
While bonds formed in pointing/repointing ensure stability and robustness to the brickwork.
They can offer an erotic and appealing effect to your walls making them look attractive.
Bricks can be laid in different styles.
There are many ways in which the brick (Header and Stretcher )can be bonded to serve the purpose. Hence, deciding the style of your choice up front is pivotal.
Let’s discuss all bond types so you can decide your preference.
Flemish bond
Flemish Bond forms a pattern of alternative stretchers and headers in each course, with the headers centred over the stretchers underneath.
After the English bond lost its stardom in the late 17th century, the early 18th century brought the Flemish bond to the spotlight.
With the use of whole bricks as stretchers, Flemish bonds can be replicated in the half-brick outer leaf of a cavity wall, while half bricks called snap-headers are used to create headers.
English bond
Old Is Gold. The long-established English brick bond varies between header and stretcher courses, with headers centered over the stretchers underneath.
The English bond is the oldest bonding pattern commonly used till the 17th century.
English bond Was in prominent use in and before the 17th century and is the oldest bond pattern in UK’s history. The Bond is still considered stronger than a Flemish bond and hence remained in use in modern civil engineering projects like embankments, viaducts and bridges.
Stretcher bond
It is a time and cost-effective way of laying brickwork. First used in 1631, it became popular in the late 18th century.
Stretcher bonds arrange all the bricks as stretchers breaking joints. i.e. stretchers with the joint of one brick falling midway between the joints of the bricks below.
Stretcher bond is used for the construction of walls of half brick thickness.
Header bond
The Header Bond pattern became popular during the 18th century.
The bond is known for employing contrasting brick colors offering a decorative effect on walls.
It is important to note that header bonds are usually reserved for high-quality buildings as they use a lot of bricks. The bonds are also used for radial brickwork, as the header faces can accommodate smaller radii.
English garden wall bond
There are three courses of stretchers between every course of mixed color headers in the English garden wall bond.
Fewer bricks are used in laying stretchers and hence remain less strong and used majorly in casual modest structures and traditional walled gardens.
Stack bond
The Stack bonds are inherently weak and commonly used as a decorative laying pattern that delivers an appealing appearance to the walls.
The bricks do not overlap in this arrangement making it weak, so a bed-joint reinforcement is built into every third bed joint to compensate for the bonding lack.
Wild bond
Wild bond can be identified with brick being laid in a seemingly random formation, delivering a cobbled, authentically traditional appearance.
A wild bond is where the bricks are laid in a seemingly random formation, which delivers a cobbled, authentically traditional appearance.
Brick orientation
Bricks can form appealing patterns on a wall if they are laid in the right direction; hence, enhancing the value of the wall.
Among the most adopted orientations, brick on-bed is the most popular. Where the stretcher's face is displayed.
A soldier course orientation
Feature detail creation requires placing the brick on end in a soldier course orientation.
The orientation gets reduced due to the quoted compressive strength of the brick placed.
Mortar Joint Profiles
Mortar joint profiles are another factor that impacts the appearance of the finished build after the brick bond is executed.
These mortar joints provide robust weather resistance to brickwork; ensuring a longer life.
Further to bond patterns, mortar joint profiles also provide several options that will impact the overall look of the finished build.
It also plays an important role in the weather resistance of brickwork. The choice of the joint profile should be based on technical performance requirements as well as appearance.
You should discuss joint profiles with the architect you are planning to hire to get their advice on the climate & area suitability and the potential cost variations.
Recessed Mortar Joint
Flush Mortar Joint
Bucket Handle Mortar Joint
Weather Struck and Cut Mortar Joint
Weather Struck Mortar Joint