zaro

What is a King Closure?

Published in Brick Masonry Terminology 2 mins read

A king closure, also known as a king closer, refers to specific types of bricks used in masonry, primarily for creating corners or finishing courses.

Based on the provided reference, there are two main definitions for a king closure:

Definitions of King Closure

Here are the descriptions as outlined in the reference:

  1. A Beveled Brick for Corners: This type is a brick of regular length and thickness that features a long bevel. This bevel starts from a point on one side and extends to a point about halfway across the adjacent end. This specific shape is used when building corners.

  2. A Three-Quarter Length Brick: This type is simply a brick of three-quarter length. Its primary use is for finishing a course at the end of a wall or section.

Comparison

The reference also notes that a king closure can be compared to a queen closer. While the reference doesn't define a queen closer, understanding the distinction is relevant in masonry terminology. Typically, queen closers are full-length bricks cut lengthwise to half width, used for similar purposes like creating bonds or finishing courses.

Practical Use Cases

King closures are essential in bricklaying for achieving specific structural bonds and ensuring clean, professional finishes.

  • Corner Construction: The beveled king closure allows for the proper overlap of bricks at corners, creating strong and visually appealing bonds (like the Flemish bond, although the reference doesn't specify bond types).
  • Course Finishing: The three-quarter length king closure is vital for maintaining the bond pattern and providing a neat, finished edge at the end of a brick course without needing to cut a standard brick.

In summary, depending on the context or definition being used, a king closure is either a full brick with a distinctive long bevel for corner work or a three-quarter length brick used at the end of courses.