Types of brick bonding
Contents |
[edit] What is brick bonding?
Brick bonding is the pattern in which bricks are arranged in a structure such as a wall or column.
Very broadly, bricks can be laid as soldiers (standing upright), stretchers (laid lengthwise along the wall) or headers (laid width wise along the wall).
Bricks are typically laid to an offset pattern to maintain an adequate lap between joints from one course to the next and to ensure that vertical joints are not positioned above one another on consecutive courses.
[edit] What is the objective of brick bonding patterns?
- Distribute loads throughout the structure to achieve maximum strength.
- Ensure stability.
- Achieve the desired aesthetic.
There are a great number of brick bonding patterns available. Factors affecting the selection of a brick bonding pattern include; the strength that is required, the thickness of the structure, the part of the structure (for example, a course of bricks over a window might have a different bonding pattern) the aesthetic requirement, the type and size of brick being used, local tradition and so on.
[edit] Types of brick bonding patterns
A number of commonly used brick bonding patterns are described below.
[edit] Stretcher bond
Stretcher bond is the most commonly used brick bond pattern in the UK. It is formed using only stretchers (bricks laid lengthwise), with the joins on each course centred above and below by half a brick. This type of bonding is not particularly strong.
A variation is the raking stretcher bond. The overlap between bricks is usually a third or a quarter of a brick, instead of half a brick.
[edit] English bond
English bond is a pattern formed by laying alternate courses of stretchers and headers. The joins between the stretchers are centred on the headers in the course below. This is one of the strongest bonds but requires more facing bricks than other bonds.
[edit] English garden wall
English garden wall bond is similar to the English bond but with one course of headers for every three courses of stretcher. The headers are centred on the headers in course below. This gives quick lateral spread of load and uses fewer facings than an English bond.
[edit] English cross bond
English cross bond alternates courses of stretchers and headers, with the alternating stretcher course being offset by half a brick. The stretchers are centred on the joins between the stretchers below them, so that the alternating stretcher courses are aligned. Staggering stretchers enables patterns to be picked out in different texture or coloured bricks.
[edit] Flemish bond
The Flemish bond is formed by laying headers and stretchers alternately in each course. The headers of each course are centred on the stretchers of the course below. This bond is strong and often used for walls which are two-bricks thick.
[edit] Flemish garden wall (also called Sussex bond)
The Flemish garden wall bond (or Sussex bond) is a variant of the Flemish bond, and uses one header to three stretchers in each course. The header is centred over the stretcher in the middle of a group of three in the course below.
[edit] Monk bond
The monk bond is a variant of the Flemish bond and involves two stretchers between the headers in each course. The headers are centred over the join between the two stretchers in the course below.
[edit] Header bond
The header bond features courses of headers offset by half a brick. It is similar to the stretcher bond but with headers instead of stretchers.
[edit] Stack bond
In stack bond, bricks are laid directly on top of one another with joins aligned, running vertically down the entire wall. Bricks can either be stacked horizontally or vertically.
The alignment of joints results in minimal bonding which means that this bond is weak and often structurally unsound unless wire bed-joint reinforcement is placed in every horizontal course or, where loading is moderate, every alternate course. This is often used purely for decorative purposes and in rain-screen applications.
[edit] Sussex bond
The Sussex bond is the same as the Flemish garden wall bond, and uses three stretchers and one header in each course.
[edit] Running bond
The 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), published by the International Code Council (ICC) defines running bond as: ‘The placement of masonry units such that head joints in successive courses are horizontally offset not less than one-quarter the unit length.’
Others might include facing bond, Dutch bond, raking bond, zigzag bond, diagonal bond, herringbone and herring bonds, monk bond, rat trap bond to mention a few.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.