Brick bond patterns
Bonding makes brickwork uniform in structure and composition, whilst maximising its strength durability and visual appeal.
Below are five of the most popular bonding patterns used in the UK.
Stretcher bond is one of the most common bonds. It is easy to lay with little waste and composed of stretchers set in rows, offset by half a brick.
A pattern made up of rows of stretchers with each stretcher centred on the stretcher below it. All joints run vertically down the wall.
English bond is made up of alternating courses of stretchers and headers. This produces a solid wall that is a full brick in depth, is easy to lay and is the strongest bond for a one-brick-thick wall.
Header bond is created by rows of headers, only displaced by half a brick on each row. This bond is often use to create curved brickwork.
Flemish bond is created by alternately laying headers and stretchers in a single course. The next course is laid so that a header lies in the middle of the stretcher course below.