Bricks are primarily joined together using mortar, a workable paste that hardens to bind building units.
The Importance of Mortar in Brick Construction
Mortar serves as the crucial bonding agent, filling the spaces between individual bricks to create a solid, integrated wall structure. It ensures stability, distributes weight evenly, and helps to seal the gaps, protecting the structure from the elements.
Understanding Key Brickwork Joints: Beds and Perpends
According to fundamental principles of brickwork, the connection points between bricks have specific names and functions. Parts of brickwork include bricks, beds and perpends. These terms define the different types of joints filled with mortar.
- Beds: The bed is the mortar upon which a brick is laid. These are the horizontal layers of mortar running along the course of bricks. Each new brick is placed onto a bed of mortar, providing a level base and bonding it to the course below.
- Perpends: A perpend is a vertical joint between any two bricks and is usually—but not always—filled with mortar. These joints run vertically between bricks within the same course and between bricks in adjacent courses that align vertically. While typically filled for structural integrity and weatherproofing, the reference notes that perpends are not always mortared, although filling is the standard practice.
By carefully applying mortar to form beds and perpends, masons create strong, durable brick structures where each unit is securely bound to its neighbors, ensuring the overall stability and longevity of the construction.
