Corbels
Corbels are used to enhance the look of the project and in some cases this bricklaying technique is used to provide structural support. Cobels should meet the following requirements:
The projection of each course should be no more that one-half the height of the brick or one-third the nominal thickness of the brick wythe.
Total projections should be no more than one-half the wall or veneer thickness
Core holes or frogs (for cored or molded brick) should not be exposed when forming the quoin. In most cases this limits the projection to 3/4"
Racking Racking brick is a technique in which a series of courses are recessed back. This involves stepping the brick courses toward the building from the vertical plane of the brickwork. Attention must be taken so that no brick cores are exposed. Chamfered brick may be used to achieve this look.
Projecting or Recessing
Individual courses or individual bricks can be recessed or projected to provide a break in the plane of the wall. When projecting or recessing the following requirements should be met:
The projection or recess of each course or individual brick should be no more that one-half the height of the brick or one-third the nominal thickness of the brick wythe.
Total projections or recesses should be no more than one-half the wall or veneer thickness.
Core holes or frogs (for cored or molded brick) should not be exposed..
Reveals
Reveals are used for vertical line detail. In this case the horizontal bond of the brick is stopped. The brickwork turns into the place of the wall or away from the plane of the wall, resulting in a pronounced shadow line. This creates an ideal location for expansion joints.
Dentils
Dentil courses provide a traditional look to end the top of the wall that was inspired by classic cornice designs. They consist of a regular pattern of projecting headers (brick with the end facing out) spaced on the center of stretchers (brick with the side face facing out) in the course below. The course above the dentil courses consist of stretcher brick centered and flush with the headers below.
Accent Bands
A simple and inexpensive way to add interest to a brick project is to add a band of contrasting color and texture. Almost any size color or texture of brick can be used.
Accent bands can be used to provide ornamentation or to draw attention away from any building element. For example bands of a single soldier course around the perimeter of the building can be used to reduce the scale of a large building or to emphasize horizontal elements of the building. A decorative band can be used to hide expansion joints, exposed flashing and weeps at shelf angles by making them attractive in design.
It is important the brick of different colors or from different manufacturers have compatible dimensions or there must be compensation made to the mortar head joint. If materials other than brick are used to create a contrasting band in the brick façade, proper detailing is necessary to avoid cracking. Generally other building materials expand or contract at a different rate than the surrounding clay brickwork.
Bon Tool Co. has made a serious effort to provide exact and current information, but does not guarantee the accuracy of the data. Bon Tool Co. cannot assume responsibility for the application of information nor guarantee results.