There are many terms involved in masonry and brick repair that most of us have heard, but we may not necessarily know what they mean. In this article, we’re going to tackle one term in particular: brick bond. The basic definition is actually quite simple. A bond is the pattern in which the mason lays the bricks. There are many different types of bonds, and they all have particular advantages and uses.
Matching the bond is an important aspect of brick repair. Here are some of the most common types and their uses.
Stretcher Bond
Also called running bond, stretcher bond is the most common brick bond. The bricks lie in single rows (courses), with the length of the brick (the stretcher) facing outwards. Each course is offset by half a brick length to create the familiar staggered pattern. Stretcher bond is suitable for single-thickness load-bearing walls. You often see them as boundary walls, fences, and partitions.
Flemish Bond
In Flemish bond, the courses consist of alternating stretchers (long face out) and headers (short face out). It has very good structural integrity because of its double thickness but with a more decorative appearance than the simple stretcher bond. Many historical buildings feature walls with Flemish bond. There is a variation on the Flemish bond called the rat trap bond, which lays the bricks on their vertical ends. This creates cavities between the bricks that provide thermal insulation.
English Bond
English bond uses alternating courses of stretchers and headers. The courses are aligned so that a header is at the center of the stretchers above and below it. This pattern is strong and stable, making it a good choice for load-bearing walls. You often find it in the traditional masonry construction of multi-storey buildings.
Stack Bond and Header Bond
In stack bond, the bricks lie directly on top of each other in a vertical stack, with the stretchers facing out. Header bond is the same configuration but with the headers facing out. Both of these bond types are typically used for decorative purposes because the vertical stacks do not have the necessary strength to be load-bearing walls.
Brick Repair | Abbot Building Restoration
At Abbot Building Restoration Co., repairing and restoring brickwork and masonry is our specialty. By starting with the basics of brick repair, we ensure that your restoration project blends seamlessly with the rest of the building.
