Brick bonds

Bonds are the name given to the laying patterns for bricks. There are a variety of standard bonds that have become common through the history of brick. Some bonds vary the orientation of the standard brick unit to create more complex patterns.

Stretcher Bond

The stretcher bond or running pattern is one of the most common bonds used in masonry construction and uses stretchers, bricks laid flat with their long edge parallel to the wall. Each alternating course is offset by a half stretcher.

Stack Bond

The stack pattern is the most basic of the standard patterns in architecture and interior design with each unit simply stacked one above the other and no horizontal or vertical offsets. When used in masonry construction, materials arranged in a stack bond typically require additional reinforcement when compared with a standard running bond.

Flemish Bond

The Flemish bond alternates between stretchers and headers. Every other course is staggered by a half course so that the headers in one course are centred on the stretchers in the course above.

Common Bond

The common or American bond alternates between courses of stretchers and headers. A true common bond contains between three and nine stretcher courses for every header course however the total number of sretchers can be adjusted. A bond with a single stretcher course for every header course is traditionally called an English bond while a bond with five stretchers for every header is known as Scottish bond.

Herringbone Bond

Named for its resemblance to the skeleton of the herring fish, this pattern is formed with a series of interlocking rectangles positioned perpendicular to each other. Its use in the built environment dates back to at least Roman times and remains popular in contemporary architecture for a range of applications including tiled surfaces and parquet flooring.

Basketweave Bond

The basketweave bond contains groups of bricks which form a square. Each alternating group is rotated at 90 degrees from the last creating the appearance of the tiles passing above and below each other. The pattern is named for its resemblance to the strands of a woven textile which are intertwined in the same way. The number of 'weaves' in the pattern can be adjusted to make the pattern a double basketweave, triple basketweave and so on.

Staggered Bond

In a staggered bond, the bricks in each course are offset at random.