BRICKLAYING

May 23, 2009 2:55 PM

BRICKLAYING. I need to learn all about how to lay brick; the classic/historical patterns; esp. in the US.; techniques; thin mortar joints; different types of bricks. European precedents.
posted by ebesan to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

What do you mean by "I need to learn all about how to lay brick"? Like you are going to be doing it soon and want to do a passable job? or as in you are writing something on it? I bet one of these guys could help you out, if it's the second one.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 3:59 PM on May 23, 2009

Response by poster: i am involved in a facade design; and need to see more patterns, and know the techniques.
posted by ebesan at 4:05 PM on May 23, 2009

This online book shows several different bricklaying methods and bonds. It would be worth it to work your way through the whole chapter as it also mentions the thickness of mortar and the different kind of finishing joints.
posted by robtf3 at 5:19 PM on May 23, 2009

the wikipedia entry for brickwork has a nice selection of bonds. if you are also involved in budgeting for the facade as well as designing it, be advised that the fancier the bond, the more expensive it is. this isn't merely because it takes longer to construct, although there is that; it also generally requires a dedicated mortar mixer/schlepper so the master mason can concentrate solely on the pattern. with a standard running bond, one mason can pretty much do both jobs. mostly with their eyes closed. and one arm tied behind their backs.

i am not a bricklayer myself; a master mason i once taught 'splained this. it was why he was back in school: everyone wanted the fancy-schmancy brickwork, but wanted to pay running bond price for it.
posted by miss patrish at 6:52 PM on May 23, 2009

I would recommend searching Google Books for (mostly pre-1923) books on the subject. On the advanced search page tick the button that says "Full view only". You might also try searching with "Limited preview and full view" selected; that will get you more recent books but only excerpts.
posted by XMLicious at 1:20 PM on May 24, 2009