Bonding is the industry term that’s given to the pattern in which the bricks are laid. Whilst the primary purpose of a brick bond is to ensure the brickwork is strong and stable, it can also have a dramatic effect on the visual appearance of a wall.
There are a number of ways in which the stretcher (the longer, rectangular face) and the header (the shorter, square face) can be laid, so deciding on a preferred style up front is crucial.
The direction in which a brick is laid can create interesting patterns and add value to virtually any wall. The most popular orientation is brick on bed, where the stretcher face is displayed.
To create a feature detail, the brick can be placed on end in a soldier course orientation. The quoted compressive strength of the brick will reduce in this orientation.
The brick can be placed on edge to create details such as cappings (this is also known as Rowlock). The quoted compressive strength of the brick will reduce in this orientation.
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.
We would always recommend discussing joint profiles with the architect to get their advice on suitability for the area, the climate and also potential cost variations.
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