In modern construction, there are many types of bricks that are used depending on the purpose of the building.
Material types
The properties of a brick primarily depend on its composition.
Impurities and additives give the product additional characteristics, for example, increased frost resistance, heat resistance, strength, the ability to withstand the effects of aggressive chemicals. By configuration, they are divided into solid and hollow. Of these bricks, walls are usually erected, but to give the structure a more aesthetic appearance, facing, glazed and figured bricks are used.
Building walls
To create various designs using bricks, various types of masonry are used. Depending on the heat-conducting properties of the future building, the wall thickness varies. Standard parameters of a structural unit, in other words, one brick, are 250x120x65 mm; when masonry is performed, the gap between the rows and elements is approximately 1 cm - this should be the seam that provides sufficient structural strength. The types of masonry differ in thickness, but in any case, the wall thickness will be a multiple of 60 mm, i.e. half the width of one unit.
The appearance of the masonry
It is difficult not to notice that the brick buildings are different from each other, and it's not even their architecture.
A huge role is played by the types of masonry - that is, in what sequence and on which side the structural elements are placed. The most common for our eyes is a chain masonry, when one row is stacked with a spoon part, and the other with a stitch part. In some cases, the proportions vary somewhat, and one spoon row has several spoonfuls. To give the building a more interesting look, other, complex and original types of masonry are used, photos of which are in great numbers offered on construction sites. Gothic, Dutch, cross, multi-row and English masonry look quite impressive. In any case, the type of masonry is changed by alternating the butt and spoon sides of the brick, the number of repeating rows, as well as dressings.
Structural reinforcement
Speaking about the types of masonry, one should not forget that in addition to protection from the effects of atmospheric phenomena and aesthetic design, they also have other functions, for example, supporting structural elements. Therefore, both walls and columns must be reliable enough to withstand the load transmitted from the upper floors. In modern construction, well masonry is often used, when a kind of shell is created from bricks, filled from the inside with concrete of a suitable brand or backfill. If you are designing a building subjected to severe loads (for example, it contains equipment that regularly creates dynamic loads, or the structure is located in a seismically active area), reinforcement must be used. It is longitudinal and transverse; nets or rods are installed either in vertical seams, or outside, or between rows of masonry. In this case, it is important to take into account the protection of the reinforcement from corrosion: the solution should envelop each core on all sides, preventing moisture and air from entering.
Different types of masonry in pictures are presented on the sites for the production of building materials: in this way, it will be easier for you to choose the type of brick that suits you and more clearly present your future home.