How to Create Double Brick Masonary
A wall that is two bricks thick is known as a double brick wall. A double brick wall is sturdier than a single brick wall and is recommended for walls that are more than two feet high. There are two basic ways to lay a double brick wall; the Flemish bond and the English bond. Both methods require bricks to be laid laterally to prevent mortar joints from continuing through the wall and causing weak spots. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- String or spray paint
- Gravel or crushed stone
- Shovel
- Coarse sand
- Concrete mix
- Water
- Wheelbarrow
- Mortar
- Mortar trowel
- Level
- Masonry blade or brick chisel
Instructions
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Lay the Foundation
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1
Mark the length and width of the wall on the ground with string or spray paint. Dig out the area so that it is between 10 and 12 inches deep.
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2
Pour three inches of gravel or crushed stone into the trench and even it out. Pour in one inch of coarse sand and level this out as well.
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3
Mix concrete with water in a wheelbarrow as directed by the manufacturer. Pour enough concrete into the foundation trench so that the first layer of bricks on top of it will be even with the ground. Allow the concrete to dry completely for at least 24 hours.
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4
Run a string down one side of the wall to make sure you will be laying the bricks in a straight line. Mix up mortar as directed on the packaging and apply it to the concrete with a mortar trowel.
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5
Place a brick across the width of the hole and tap it into the mortar firmly. Apply a layer of mortar to the short end of another brick and place it lengthwise next to one end of the brick already in place. Repeat with another brick to complete the width of the wall.
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6
Use a level to check the bricks. Tap them down with the handle of the trowel if necessary. Continue laying two bricks lengthwise along the wall until you reach the other end, then place a brick across the width of the wall.
The Flemish Bond
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7
Set two bricks side by side lengthwise in the mortar. Place one brick crosswise, abutting and squaring the ends of the first two bricks. Repeat this pattern for the first layer of bricks.
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8
Place one brick crosswise in mortar for the next row, connecting the two bricks below. Cut one brick in half lengthwise with a masonry blade or brick chisel. This will make two long, thin pieces of brick. Place one half of the brick across the wall with the cut side facing away from the previous brick. Place two bricks lengthwise along the wall and then repeat the pattern, cutting bricks as necessary.
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9
Repeat the pattern of the first layer for the third layer. Repeat the pattern of the second layer for the fourth layer. Alternate these rows as necessary.
The English Bond
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10
Place two bricks side by side lengthwise in mortar. Continue in this manner down the length of the wall for the first layer.
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11
Place one brick crosswise in mortar, connecting the two bricks below. Cut one brick in half lengthwise (as in Section 2, Step 2 above) and place it next to the first brick, cut side out. Place another brick crosswise and continue laying bricks across the wall for the entire length.
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12
Repeat row one in row three. Repeat row two in row four. Continue alternating these rows until the wall reaches the desired height.
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1
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
