Seam thickness in brickwork - the best option

The width of the brickwork joint is specified during the design of the building and is strictly controlled during the construction of walls. Failure to comply with this parameter leads to excessive consumption of mortar, disrupts the strength of the connection between bricks or blocks and can subsequently lead to destruction. The thickness of the joint in the brickwork also serves to visually determine the quality of the building being constructed.

Brick laying technique

Before use, the solution is stirred, since heavy particles can sink down and water can rise to the top.
The mixed solution is placed in buckets and transported to the masonry site, where it is distributed. Immediately lay a strip of mortar - a bed - for one row. For a bond row the bed width is 200-220 mm, for a spoon row - 80-100 mm. If the seam is filled completely, about 10-15 mm are removed from the edge, the height of the mortar is 20-25 mm, which, when laying, provides a seam of 10-12 mm. Before installing the brick, the mortar is leveled with a trowel. There are three techniques for bricklaying. On hard, low-plasticity mortar, the “squeeze” technique is used. In this case, the seams are completely filled. If the solution is plastic, use the “butt” technique.

Back-to-back bricklaying technique

As already mentioned, this method of laying bricks is used with plastic mortar. It should be mobile, easy to apply and move. This is achieved by adding additives. You can spread the solution over the entire surface of the wall at once: additives allow you to extend the time before setting begins.

The bed is laid with a thickness of about 20 mm, with a gap of about 15-20 mm left from the edge. This indentation allows you to avoid squeezing out the mortar onto the front surface, but at the same time the edges of the seams often remain unfilled. This significantly reduces the strength of the wall, therefore, in regions with seismic activity, laying milestone courses (external and internal) using this method is prohibited.

When laying a spoon row, take a brick, holding it with a slight slope. Approaching what has already been laid, at a distance of 8-10 cm they begin to rake up the solution with the edge (poke). When joining, it turns out that the seam is already partially filled. The brick is pressed down a little (settled), pressing it to the bed. The excess is removed with a trowel and sent either to a bucket or to the wall.

Technique for laying bricks “back to back”

With this technique, it often turns out that the vertical seams are only partially filled. That’s why this method is also called “wasteland”. They are filled in when laying the bed for the next row. If the technique is not yet well developed, it is better to fill the seams before laying the next row: voids reduce the strength and thermal insulation characteristics.

When laying a bonded row, everything is exactly the same, only the mortar is raked with a spoon edge. The zabutka is laid, like the bonded rows, and then pressed with the palm of your hand. It is necessary to ensure that all the stones are at the same level. This is done using a building level, and the verticality of the wall is checked with a plumb line every 3-4 rows.

"Press" technique

When working with hollow bricks, hard mortars are usually used. In this case, bricks are laid using the “squeeze” technique. In this case, you also have to work with a trowel.

The bed is laid at a distance of 10 mm from the edge, the thickness is still about 20 mm. Since such a composition does not stretch well, it is raked to the edge of the laid brick with the edge of the tool. With your left hand, take the brick and press it against the trowel, while simultaneously pulling it up. At the same time, they continue to press with bricks, achieving the required seam thickness (10-12 mm).

“Butt-to-end” technique

Excess mortar is picked up with a trowel. Having laid several fragments, take a level, checking the horizontality of the row, tapping the trowel handle to straighten the position. The solution that has been squeezed out is picked up. The result is a dense masonry, but the process takes longer: more movements are required.

Butt-together with trimming

The average method in terms of productivity is butt jointing with cutting of seams. With this method, the bed is laid out close to the edge (10 mm), as when laying pressed, and the laying technique is flush: the mortar was raked with brick, placed, pressed down, and the excess was removed. If the wall is not subsequently planned to be finished with anything, after several rows it is necessary to take a jointer - a special tool and give the seams the required shape (convex, concave, flat).

As you can see, this is a kind of symbiosis. To make it more convenient to work, the solution is also made with “intermediate” plasticity. If it is too liquid, it will flow down the wall, leaving streaks, so it needs to be kneaded a little more tightly than when laying end-to-end.

Laying one and a half and two bricks

The basic principle of high-quality construction is the precise ligation of the vertical seam that connects the entire structure.
Brickwork is carried out according to certain rules. The basic principle of high-quality construction is the precise ligation of the vertical seam that connects the entire structure. The essence of dressing is to properly distribute the load and increase the strength of the structure. Bandaging can be done in three ways:

• a transverse seam that prevents the displacement of bricks from joining throughout the entire structure;
• vertical suture dressing;
• a longitudinal seam that prevents delamination and displacement of the building material distributes the load evenly.

Brick walls are laid out in two ways: multi-row or single-row. For the single-row type, it is typical to lay out the row with the spoon side out, and the second row is laid out with the butting surface. As a result, it turns out that each transverse seam moves by ¼ of the building material, and the longitudinal seam by 0.5.

The multi-row type is characterized by alternation through several spoons.

Construction in one and a half pieces. The thickness of the walls of a brick house can be 380 mm. This masonry method is quite common and is called one and a half bricks. The product begins to be laid out from the corners, the first bricks are placed perpendicularly. The first row is laid out using a construction cord, which is fixed at the height of the first and second bricks. We place the bonding surface on the outer side, and the inner side with the spoon part. The next row is laid out opposite the first, thus creating a mirror image. The thickness of the wall, built at one and a half bricks, can withstand the load of the roof and the ceiling between floors. The peculiarity of this method is that the vertical seam does not coincide; it is completely covered by the surface of other bricks.

Construction in two parts. The method of laying 2 bricks or 500 mm is performed in places with strong temperature changes. This thickness of brick walls does not require the use of insulation materials. The quality of the design directly depends on the durability of the structure and its thermal insulation.

Alternation methods for laying and size of seams

Options for masonry with cladding.

A number of alternation methods are used when laying. If a single brick is used, then usually choose ligation using the butt method, which is carried out after every 6th row. When using a thicker type of brick, the number of spoon rows is minimized to 5. This type of connection is due to the high strength of the structure, which contributes to a moderate distribution of the entire load.

The thickness of the walls is 1.5 bricks made by laying from the corners, and the laying of the 1st row must be done at right angles with bricks, the thickness of which is 38 cm. It is convenient to control the correctness of the laying of the rows with a construction corner.

The 1st row is laid using a cord stretched over the entire height between the 1st and 2nd bricks. The interlocking surface of the bricks is made facing the outer side of the wall, and the masonry of the 1st row is oriented towards the inner side and the interfacing part inward. Laying the next row is carried out in the reverse order. This is how a mirror type of reflection of the masonry may appear in the 1st row.

As a result, the inner side of the walls is laid in 1, and the outer side in half a brick. Masonry of 1.5 is widely used, which occurs due to the reliability of the walls due to their high strength. The vertical seams do not coincide; they are overlapped by a solid part of the next row of masonry.

If an increase in the size of the seams is associated with the appearance of a deviation from the vertical plane or from the chosen direction of the masonry, then its method also changes. When constructing structures in areas characterized by severe frosts, the use of thermal insulators will make it possible to create a load-bearing wall of 2 bricks, which will be the most suitable option.

Calculation of wall thickness taking into account thermal conductivity

Location of dew point in a brick wall.

The thickness of the walls is often indicated in the construction plan; it is calculated taking into account all the reasons that influence the operation of the building in the future. The wall thickness should be calculated for the entire building. The purpose of the calculation is to develop a durable and comfortable structure. When calculating wall thickness, a special formula for determining thermal conductivity is used, which is written as R = S/k, where:

• S material thickness, m,
• k thermal conductivity coefficient,
• R is the thermal resistance of the walls of buildings erected in a certain region.

The value of the coefficient k depends on the region of future development. For example, k is equal to 3-3.2 for the Leningrad and Moscow regions, and for Yakutia and neighboring regions, which are republics of the Far North, k = 4.89.

Any building material has a thermal conductivity index. The thermal conductivity of a single brick is 0.58 W/m°C, which meets the standards. The thickness of the walls cannot be less than 250 mm including the heat insulator. Taking into account the thermal conductivity of bricks will help in the future to avoid excessive energy costs for heating the premises of the building.

Thermal conductivity coefficient of bricks.

The method, which involves continuous masonry during construction, is economical even if there is external or internal insulation. The thickness of the external walls depends on the strength requirements for the structure.

If there is an internal layer of insulation, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of condensation. This will require a vapor barrier. If there are external layers of thermal insulation, plastering of the surface will be required.

The greatest load requires reinforcement of partitions, piers and support pillars using an iron wire network with a diameter of 3-6 mm in height every 3 or 5 rows. Partitions are usually laid out in half-bricks 12 cm wide. The cross-sectional dimensions of the pillars should be 25 cm by 38 cm or more. Sometimes the thickness of the partitions can be 6.5 cm, and the method is called brick on edge. If the length of the partitions is more than 1.5 m, which are made using this method, the structure of the partitions should be reinforced with rods every 2 rows.

The brick surface of the walls is characterized by the greatest thermal inertia, which requires a sufficient amount of time for the wall to fully warm up. With a minimum thickness of a brick wall, its mass is greatest, and the process of cooling or warming up the wall will be long. Thanks to these properties of the brick, the temperature level in the room will be constant throughout the day, which is a fundamental advantage. A high level of thermal inertia of walls is often not favorable.

Joining options

Joining gives the structure a finished look and is carried out upon completion of the masonry. The work is painstaking and requires careful execution from a specialist.

The jointing serves to protect the mortar and brick from moisture penetration through existing cracks and irregularities. For better adhesion, special components are added to the solution. The seam between the bricks, the size of which corresponds to the standards, is embroidered with a special tool. Its use allows you to carry out work more clearly and accurately.

There are several types of jointing:

• Convex and concave
• To trim
• Pustoshovka
• Single-cut
• Double-cut concave and double-cut convex.

The paneling of the front side of the wall has its own differences. Depending on the design, the seam is made full or incomplete, with a recess of up to 15 mm. An incomplete seam promotes better plastering of the surface.

The convex shape of the seam protects the masonry from the effects of precipitation. If the climate is drier, the seam is made more concave.

The original design is considered to be a panel made in black or white. Its contrast with brick makes the appearance of the building more attractive.

With the help of jointing, masonry is updated to renovate the facades of old houses with unplastered brick walls. To do this, you must first deepen the existing seams by 2-3 mm and apply new mastic. If the work is done carefully, the masonry will have the appearance of being freshly laid. A recess is made in the old mortar using a chisel.

Basic tools.

When laying brick walls, the following tools are needed:

*Trowel (trowel) – is a steel spatula with a wooden handle. With its help, the mortar is leveled and trimmed, and the vertical joints of the masonry are filled with mortar;

* Hammer-pick - intended for breaking bricks into the required parts;

* Jointing - comes in different types and serves to improve the appearance of brickwork.

In order to determine whether the brickwork of the walls , the following is used: a plumb line (checking the vertical masonry); rule - a smooth wooden plank 1-1.2 m (controls the surface of the masonry); level (controls the horizontality of the masonry); mooring cord – is a 3mm twisted cord. diameter (ensures horizontality and straightness of masonry rows and controls the thickness of horizontal joints); ordering - consists of two metal or wooden slats, on which serifs are applied every 77 mm (when laying a single brick). The distance is determined by the thickness of the seam - 12 mm, and the thickness of the brick - 65 mm. (With the help of ordering, the rows of masonry are marked, and the dimensions of the existing openings are determined).

Features of brick walls

Brick, especially solid brick, has only one drawback. These are its low thermal performance indicators, which are worse only than the similar characteristics of reinforced concrete.

If the wall is one and a half bricks (38 cm) and can withstand heavy loads, then severe frosts become a problem for it. However, winter temperatures of -30 degrees are the norm for most regions of our country. How to make it warm in a brick house?

To keep the walls warm

Considering the rather low coefficient of thermal insulation of solid brick, to achieve heat, walls from it would have to be laid with a thickness of 64 cm. Of course, this is an extra expense - and not only on the walls, but also on the foundation, therefore the construction of solid masonry with a thickness exceeding 38 cm is considered economically unfeasible.

Hollow wall brick

So:

• There are many ways to get out of the situation. This is why hollow (slotted) bricks were invented, so that the weight of the masonry could be reduced, and, accordingly, the load on the foundation part of the building could be reduced. Technologies are also used that make masonry easier using solid bricks.
• This is the construction of masonry with widened seams, with the formation of longitudinal voids and wells filled with effective insulation materials. In addition, masonry and plaster mortars, which are commonly called warm mortars, are used to construct brick walls. Due to the content of perlite sand, their thermal insulation coefficient is several times lower than that of a conventional solution.

Warm masonry mortar

• The undoubted advantage of brick houses is the fact that the air temperature in their premises fluctuates very slightly. The thing is that the masonry not only warms up slowly, but also cools down slowly, and the thicker the wall, the longer the heat will remain.
• However, in country houses and country houses where no one lives permanently, heating brick walls requires much more fuel consumption than just maintaining a comfortable microclimate. Temperature changes contribute to the formation of condensation on the external and internal surfaces of walls, which can lead to the appearance of mold and efflorescence, leading to the gradual destruction of the masonry.

Cladding brick walls in an inconsistently heated house

It is best in such cases when the inside walls are lined with wood. Depending on the status of the house, it can be lining, plank, sheets of plywood or OSB, wood panels or MDF.

Drywall is also excellent, as it also has good thermal insulation qualities. Well, it is advisable to clad them outside using a system of insulated ventilated facades - approximately as shown in the photo above.

Some useful information

Low-rise buildings can be erected from any type of brick. In addition to ordinary clay bricks, these are also silicate and hyperpressed bricks, which, however, have some limitations.

Despite their strength, which in principle is not inferior to the strength of ceramic bricks, these products are not used for the construction of basement walls and strip foundations. In rooms with high humidity, the surface of such masonry must be protected.

Walls built from sand-lime brick

If the internal brick wall is load-bearing, then it cannot have a thickness of less than one brick. It can be built from either solid or hollow bricks. There are also standards for laying walls and pillars. The size of the pier cannot be smaller in cross-section than 250*610 mm. The cross-section of a pillar laid out of brick must be at least 380*380 mm.

Living room with brick wall

• When starting construction, it would be nice to know in advance what options for interior decoration and room design will be used. And partitions can help with this. For their construction, you can use not working brick, but face brick, which will allow you to use such an interior design option as a brick wall in the living room, dining room, or bedroom without extra costs.
• A decorative wall made from the side of the facade for insulation, or simply as a cladding, also looks incredibly beautiful. Here, of course, nothing can compare with clinker bricks. It looks good in itself, and if you also take into account the various variations of its front finish, then with a competent approach to choosing color and texture, the facade of the house will look just like a picture.

Clinker cladding on the facade

Types of bricklaying, types of bricks

Brick is a strong and durable material.
A wall 25 cm thick (one brick) is capable of carrying any evenly distributed load that arises in one- and two-story houses from the structures above, including reinforced concrete floors. The service life of brick walls with reliable foundations and properly executed masonry is practically unlimited. At the same time, brick, especially solid brick, having high strength, is inferior in its heat-shielding qualities to many other wall materials. For example, at a design outside temperature of -30 °C (most regions of central Russia), the outer walls of solid masonry made of solid brick should have a thickness of 64 cm (2.5 bricks). At the same time, the thickness of wooden block walls can be only 16-18 cm.

In order to reduce brick consumption, reduce the weight of walls and the load on foundations, external walls should be laid out either from hollow or solid bricks, masonry should be carried out with the formation of voids, wells, widened seams, and also use effective insulation, warm masonry and plaster mortars . The use of solid masonry made of solid bricks with a thickness of more than 38 cm (1.5 bricks) is not economically feasible. When filling air cavities with mineral felt (bituminized mineral wool), the thermal efficiency of a brick wall increases by 30-40%, and when using foam plastic - by 200%. The use of warm masonry mortars (based on fine aggregates made of slag, expanded clay, tuff, tripoli, perlite, sawdust, etc.) also increases the heat-insulating qualities of walls by 10-15%.

Brickwork dimensions

Standardization of masonry bonding systems and brick sizes promotes standardization of brickwork sizes. In the case of masonry walls without insulation or air gaps, the dimensions of the walls correspond to the modular dimensions of the brick edges and the standardized thicknesses of the masonry joints. When designing the dimensions of brick columns, piers and wall thicknesses, it is generally accepted that the width of the vertical masonry joint is 10 mm (in practice 8-12 mm). In this case, two bricks laid with a butt make up a section of masonry equal to the length of the brick laid with a spoon (120 mm + 10 mm + 120 mm = 250 mm).

Consequently, the dimensions of the brickwork in plan can be 120, 250, 380, 510, 640, 770, 900, 1030 mm and more. There are exceptions. Sometimes, brick partitions are made by laying bricks on edge. In this case, the thickness of the partition is not 120, but 65 mm. Another exception is the previously mentioned wall construction with an air gap or insulation. In this case, the dimensions of the brick wall depend on the thickness of the insulation or void. The section thickness consists of the modular size of the structural part of the wall, a cladding layer 120 mm thick and the calculated thickness of the insulation.

We figured out the dimensions of the brickwork in the plan. The vertical dimensions of the masonry are subject to the same laws, but with one caveat. There are two accepted brick standards in construction. An ordinary brick has a height of 65 mm. There is also a thicker one with a height of 88 mm. When designing the height of structures, the size of the brickwork joint between horizontal rows is taken to be 12 mm. In practice, 10-15 mm is allowed. When making reinforced brickwork and when electrically heating the masonry, meshes or electrodes are placed in the horizontal seams. Therefore, the size of the seams in winter brickwork is at least 12 mm. We get the height of walls, piers and columns made of ordinary brick - 77, 154, 231, 308, 385, 462 and then after 77 mm. For thickened (one and a half) bricks - 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and then every 100 mm. At the same time, 13 rows of standard brick correspond to 10 rows of one and a half bricks (1000 mm).

The dimensions of the brickwork openings are set depending on the window or door frames being installed. Today, mass construction is focused on individual planning. Therefore, partitions and openings in them are erected after the sale of the apartment (house), taking into account the wishes of the owner. If the size of the box is known in advance, the opening is made 20 mm larger. This guarantees high-quality installation of the frame (box) in the opening with subsequent sealing.

When making masonry plans based on architectural drawings, it is necessary to reduce the sketch dimensions to constructive ones, taking into account the dimensions of the brick. In order not to calculate each time, the designer uses a table of brickwork sizes.

Rows (for vertical dimensions)

Vertical dimensions for standard brick, mm

Vertical dimensions for thickened bricks, mm

Types and dimensions of bricks

Before we start talking about the size of the joint in brickwork, it is necessary to understand the design features of its constituent blocks. Brick blocks have been used for many centuries and during this time they have acquired new names - adobe, clinker and ceramite, dinas and fireclay. It is clear that they are made from clay materials of diverse mineral composition using various technologies, but the dimensions of the seam do not depend on these indicators.

But the density and presence of voids directly affect the strength of the masonry. Depending on the filling, the brick can be:

1. Full-bodied, i.e. There are no unfilled spaces in it, but there is porosity. In a silicate product this figure is 12-14%, and in clinker it is 5%. Load-bearing structures are erected from them.
2. Hollow. For silicate adobe, the hollowness ranges from 24-28%, for ceramite up to 45%. Since air is a good heat insulator and does not conduct sound well, the walls of buildings built from such material also acquire these characteristics.

When constructing fireplaces, stoves and chimneys, solid bricks are used, and when laying internal walls and partitions, hollow bricks are used. The hollow chambers inside the product can be round or rectangular, their number is 4-10 with a multiplicity of 2.

The masonry mortar is applied to a large plane of the face, which is called the bed. The other two are the spoon part and the end or butt, the smallest area. Depending on which side of the brick is external, the rows of masonry can be spoon or butt.

There are certain standards for the dimensions of ceramites and clinkers. One indicator is the plan dimensions. It is constant for all varieties (250 by 120 mm), and the height differs according to the name of the brick:

• single - 65;
• one and a half - 88;
• double - 138 mm.

European standards differ slightly from Russian ones. In plan it is 240 by 115 or 210 by 100 mm with a height of 52, 61, 71, 113 and 50, 65 mm, respectively. The variability of the seam dimensions will depend little on the standard to which the brick is made.

Recommendations for laying different types of bricks

Load-bearing walls and basement areas exposed to frequent moisture are built from solid ceramic bricks, most often in a single format. The optimal scheme in this case is considered to be a two-row one; it ensures uniform distribution of weight loads, the final thickness is 25 cm. It is recommended to install the products after carefully checking the evenness and waterproofing of the base and visual inspection for damage. To eliminate errors, the first row is first placed without mortar, in a dry form, all unformatted blocks are removed.

The thickness of the lowest layer can reach 20 mm; all subsequent layers are laid taking into account the design data. To make vertical seams, a little compound is applied to the butt side of the brick, after which it is lightly pressed against the previously installed blocks. Excess mixture in the longitudinal direction is immediately removed with a trowel, using a smooth movement from bottom to top.

When making horizontal rows, this is not recommended due to the risk of smearing the DSP over the surface, which is especially important when working with facing bricks. A special template helps to achieve uniform thickness without overspending; in the absence of experience, it is used not only in the longitudinal, but also in the transverse direction

The construction of any structures begins from the corner, followed by securing the order - a special bar for level control. Walls to be plastered or insulated are erected with a void - by recessing the mortar 10-15 mm deep from the front side of the brickwork.

Multi-row heat-insulating systems are constructed from porous ceramics with a fairly good strength grade. The general requirements for seam thickness and evenness remain unchanged, but due to the presence of voids, you should be prepared for an increase in mortar consumption. Changes also concern its composition; to eliminate cold bridges, additives that reduce thermal conductivity are introduced into standard DSP mixed in a 1:3 ratio: expanded clay chips, foam glass and their analogues. The scheme in multi-row structures becomes more complicated; if they doubt their abilities, they entrust the work to specialists.

Ceramic and pressed sand-lime bricks, by analogy with the others, begin to be laid from the corner, carefully checking the level and placing each row dry. But due to high requirements for decorativeness, the type of seam changes, it becomes concave or convex, and grouting is carried out immediately. The second type is more often chosen when cladding facades; such jointing enhances the moisture resistance of the walls.

The nuances include the placement of small ventilation holes in the vertical seams, usually on every 4th row. During the work, the front surface is protected from splashes of the solution; any drops that accidentally fall are removed with a dry cloth before they begin to set. The requirements for masonry and grout mixtures depend on the degree of water saturation: ordinary ceramic varieties are wetted before installation, clinker types are installed dry, but only with special compositions with a minimum content of salt-extracting substances.

Laying different types of bricks

The method of laying materials larger than bricks has its own characteristics. This applies to foam and gas blocks. The first row of such material lies on the masonry mortar. This layer serves to level the surface. Further laying is carried out with an adhesive mixture, which has no thickness and is almost completely squeezed out by the block.

If reinforced concrete structures are installed, the solution is made more liquid using lime milk. It serves to smooth out surface irregularities and the thickness of the layer is not of fundamental importance.

Stone masonry is distinguished by the fact that the blocks have sides of different sizes and are joined together by inclined seams, the size of which can be up to 40 mm.

For the construction of load-bearing walls and internal partitions in the basement, single-type solid ceramic bricks are used. A two-row scheme is used, which serves to distribute loads more evenly.

The thickness of the mortar for the bottom row of brickwork is 20 mm, and all subsequent ones are in accordance with the approved project. When installing vertical joints, the brick is easily pressed against the previously installed ones, and the excess mortar is immediately removed with a trowel.

The importance of dressing during construction of a structure

The safety of a building structure depends on its correct construction. Conventional masonry is carried out using the long side of the material, this method is called spoons, the short side and across the wall are called pokes. Construction begins with raising the corners several bricks higher than the usual structure. The layer formed between the masonry is adjusted, and the excess is removed before the solution hardens. Afterwards the jointing is carried out.

Main rules:

• When erecting a building, it is necessary to check the laying of corners with a square at least twice throughout 1 m of masonry.
• Check the horizontality of the rows (with a rule and a level), and the verticality of the surface of the corners (with a rule with a plumb line).
• It is better to align the ones that arise with the next row.
• The thickness of the solution between the material should be measured every 5-6 rows.

Why do you need jointing?

Now let's take a closer look at why this grouting and trimming of seams is needed in a brick house, because many buildings have stood for years and no one does anything with them.

• As we have already said, this has a beneficial effect on the aesthetic side of the house. For example, you can easily hide the difference in shades when the solution is mixed gradually over several days.
• Grouting the joints of the brickwork reduces the amount of moisture that gets into the joints, destroying the cement base. This allows you to extend the life of the entire house, postponing repair work into the distant future. If you don’t know, then the cost of restoring a brick wall when cracks and collapses appear is very, very “unpleasant.”
• Proper jointing also allows you to increase the insulating properties of brick walls, because the seams are the main source of heat loss.

The wall after jointing is a monochromatic seam, the bricks stand out clearly

Where is jointing used?

Interestingly, both building bricks and double sand-lime brick M 150 are suitable for grouting joints (also suitable for facing decorative bricks).

The main thing is that the wall should not be plastered, because jointing is an analogue of a finishing material, but is only applied to a certain part of the surface.

• It can be used for outdoor walls, which is the most common option.
• It is also useful for interior work, when you need to add color to a decorative surface.
• Joining can also be used for walls that are built from natural stone.
• You can embroider the masonry at any stage: directly when erecting the walls, or after the house is built and shrinks. There is one fundamental difference - when jointing and laying together, it is easier to remove excess mortar that has not yet had time to dry. Once the house is ready, this must be done with effort, because the cement mortar is quite strong.

What determines the thickness of the seams?

First of all, the size of the dressing is influenced by the size of the brick, the height of which is 65 or 88 mm. With these parameters, the thickness of the standard seam is taken as a basis. In the construction of structures with thickened bricks, the maximum permissible dimensions are used. It should be remembered that material with a large mass creates pressure on the lower rows.

If metal mesh or reinforcement is used, other sizes of brickwork joints are used: 12 and 10 mm. The construction of a structure in winter affects the process itself. The liquid in the mixture crystallizes in cold weather, while in warm weather the solution becomes free-flowing. To avoid such problems, additional binders are added to the dressing of the material to increase the plasticity of the solution.

Factors affecting seam size

When erecting walls, adhere to the established average thickness of horizontal joints of 10 mm. This value varies by 1-2 millimeters in one direction or the other. More specific indicators of the thickness of the joints between bricks are determined in the approved building design and are strictly controlled.

Most masons make a horizontal joint 12 mm thick and a transverse joint 10 mm thick.

Acceptable values ​​are:

• in longitudinal rows 10-15 mm;
• in vertical rows 8-12 mm.

The reason for the decrease in strength is the uneven removal of water from the solution.

The uniformity and thickness of brickwork joints depend on:

• Professionalism of builders. It is better to entrust the work to specialized teams of masons.
• The hardness of the solution. If a cement-sand composition with a thick consistency is used, a solution thickness of up to 12 mm is allowed. When using plastic adhesive compositions, this parameter can be 8-10 mm.
• Conditions of work. In winter, bricklaying is carried out using anti-frost additives or the structures are heated. It is better to keep the seam size to a minimum, since at low temperatures the masonry is made more monolithic.
• Shapes and sizes of the material. Brick, as the most common building material, is characterized by uneven surfaces and unequal sizes, especially when using cheap types. When building walls, experienced masons adjust the width of the seam between bricks to 2 mm, depending on the design data.

The accuracy of brickwork also depends on the proportion of voids in the products, the frost resistance of the mortar and the brand of cement used.

The thickness of the mortar between the bricks is influenced by the consistency of the masonry composition. A properly prepared mixture fills all the unevenness and voids, but only to a thickness of a certain size. If it is exceeded, the layer simply spreads to the sides without filling the roughness, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of the masonry.

Design features of brick

Before considering the thickness of the masonry joint, it is necessary to study its design features.

Brick is considered the most popular and versatile building material. It has been used for the construction of buildings for many years.

There are hollow and solid types of bricks.

Hollow - used for the construction of internal partitions. It has good heat and sound insulation qualities and contains voids, which can be up to 45%. The cavities inside are rectangular or round.

Solid brick has no unfilled spaces, but has surface porosity, which can be up to 14%. Used in the construction of fireplaces, stoves, chimneys.

The reliability of the walls being built and the dimensions of the joint in the brickwork depend on the density of the material and the presence of voids in it.

By size they are distinguished:

• single, with edge height 65 mm;
• one-and-a-half, with a side height of 88 mm;
• double brick – 138 mm.

These are indicators of the height of the product, the length and width are standard and are 250x120 mm.

SNiP requirements

All building stones that are used in the construction of structures must be selected in accordance with the standards for various types of building materials, which is also determined by SNiP. The brick used for external masonry must have a rectangular shape and clear edges. Each building stone is visually inspected by a master before laying.

It is also important to properly prepare the solution, which should have a mobility of no more than 7 cm. To ensure such parameters, it may be necessary to add various components to the cement mixture, including plasticizers, lime and chemical additives

These components are added depending on the manufacturer's requirements.

In winter, it is recommended to keep the solution temperature at least +25 degrees. If conditions do not allow maintaining this temperature, then it is necessary to add plasticizers to the solution.

SNiP also determines that the use of building stones that do not have the appropriate certificates is prohibited, especially in the construction of residential buildings.

Brick joint thickness

Needless to say, ceramic brick is one of the most popular building materials. The technology of brick production, as well as the various types of its masonry, have been known since time immemorial. How long a building built of brick will last depends not only on its quality, but also on the quality of the mortar, laying technology, skill of the mason and the thickness of the joints in the brickwork.

Although one of the parameters of the durability of a structure is the frost resistance of the brick (the ability to withstand a certain number of complete freezing and thawing cycles), adjusted for the climate coefficient, an incorrect seam thickness can completely destroy the entire calculation system.

For brickwork, the thickness of horizontal joints should be 12 mm. In some cases, a minimum seam thickness of 10 mm and a maximum seam width of 15 mm are allowed.

The vertical seam should be 10 mm. The minimum possible vertical seam is 8 mm. The maximum width of a vertical seam is 15 mm. In any construction project, the thickness of the joints must be indicated. Without this indicator, it is very difficult to make a correct estimate for the construction of a facility, since it is difficult to calculate the amount of cement, sand and even the amount of brick. If a mason reduces the thickness of the joints by a couple of millimeters, the total number of bricks may increase. As soon as the mason increases the size of the seam, the strength of the building decreases.

The thicker the brickwork joint, the more difficult it is to achieve uniform joint density between the bricks. Due to uneven density, brick may experience additional bending and shear loads. Thick joints in the masonry contribute to greater deformation. Therefore, for a certain type of masonry, designers set a certain thickness of the seam. In addition to the types of masonry, the thickness of the joints is influenced by the climatic conditions in which the building will be operated.

In addition, the thickness of the seams may vary depending on the weather conditions in which the brick laying work is carried out. The thickness of the seam is especially important when the brick is laid in frosty conditions. As the thickness of the seam increases, until the solution sets, the moisture inside the solution may crystallize.

Simply put, the water in the solution will simply freeze. And as soon as the temperature rises, the ice will again turn into water, but instead of a strong seam, it will become a kind of loose substance. Therefore, the thickness of the brickwork joint when working in frosty weather should be as minimal as possible. In addition, various fillers are added to the solution, which act as antifreeze.

The thickness of the seams, with the right approach to technology, must be checked. To do this, measure the width of several rows of masonry (usually 5–6 rows). The resulting size is divided by the number of rows, the size of the bricks is subtracted, and the remaining figure is divided by the number of seams. The resulting average figure should not go beyond the limits specified in the building design.

In some cases, the thickness of the seams can be only 5 millimeters. Usually this is a critical masonry made of refractory bricks, which is used in furnaces with high temperatures.

Gas silicate, gas silicate blocks, cellular concrete, aerated concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete. All these names refer to the same building material - autoclaved aerated concrete.

Brick laying under jointing is used when finishing materials will not be applied to the surface of the brickwork, but at the same time the surface should look visually finished.

The characteristics of the building directly depend on the quality of the brickwork. In particular, the strength, thermal insulation and durability of the building as a whole depend on the quality of the masonry.

Vladimir Messages: 1

Average seam size Answer #1 date:

10/24/2013 at 05:53:48

With the calculation of the average seam thickness you indicated, even non-standard seams can pass. Example: between six rows of bricks, the thickness of the seams, measured at each seam, is 8,19,23,7 - not a single seam complies with SNiP. We calculate according to your scheme: we measure 6 rows from brick to brick - 465, subtract the size of the brick - for example 65. 465 - 65 * 6 = 75 divided by the number of seams - 5, 75/5 = 15, which is fully consistent with SNiP. Those. Non-standard seams with this calculation are within the framework of SNiP.

Fields marked *

required. HTML tags are disabled.

Standard requirements for seam thickness

The average standard value is 10 mm, a more accurate value is selected depending on the type of brick and design. With large deviations to a lesser extent, builders are unable to compensate for possible unevenness of ceramic products and the calculated number of blocks may simply not be enough; if there are large deviations, the walls lose strength for the reasons given above.

The exact parameters stated by the standard are relevant when using ordinary elements in the construction of load-bearing systems. For brickwork, the thickness of horizontal joints is maintained at 12 mm, vertical - 10. The permissible limit in longitudinal rows varies from 10 to 15 mm, transverse - from 8 to 12. Deviations from the value stated in the project are unacceptable, it is constantly monitored and checked.

The thickness and uniformity of seams is influenced by:

1. Professionalism of masons. Due to the high requirements for the reliability of structures made from small-piece blocks, work is entrusted to highly specialized specialists, ideally to experienced teams.

2. Hardness of the solution and selected technology. When placing the clamps, thick, high-strength cement-sand mixtures are used, the thickness of the seam is made as maximum as possible - 12 mm. When using more liquid and plastic compositions (end-to-end and with trimming), the products should be placed as closely as possible. The distance between adjacent elements in this case does not exceed 8-10 mm.

3. Climatic conditions and subsequent operation of buildings. When carrying out work in winter and using solutions with antifreeze additives or heating structures, it is recommended to keep the seams between bricks to a minimum. The same applies to walls erected in northern latitudes; to reduce the influence of low temperatures, their masonry should be as monolithic as possible.

4. Geometric accuracy of sizes and shapes. In comparison with aerated concrete blocks placed on 2-3 cm of construction glue, it is more difficult to install bricks due to the need to correct deviations from the declared and standard values. The use of cheap and uneven elements forces masons to change the thickness of the seams in individual rows by 1-2 mm to fit the design data.

The last factor is usually decisive. Accurate adjustments of products with incorrect sizes and shapes can only be performed by professionals; with large deviations, the final strength of the structures is reduced to 25%. Reinforcement helps little; to reduce risks, the material is carefully checked at the acquisition stage. In addition to the thickness of the mortar, the reliability of the brickwork is influenced by the strength grade, the proportion of voids and frost resistance of the product; these characteristics are taken into account along with geometric accuracy.

The given rules are relevant for any small-piece elements, including silicate and facing ones. A slight increase in thickness is allowed when working with double varieties, but in general, when constructing load-bearing structures and facing masonry, the layer is maintained within 10 mm in vertical joints, 12 mm in longitudinal joints. The exception is the fireboxes of high-temperature furnaces and similar structures made of refractories - about 5 mm of a special solution is placed. A separate group includes rectangular tiles; they are installed in compliance with the recommended jointing standards, which in turn depend on the texture and type of edge of the products and requirements for moisture resistance.

Thickness of the outer wall of the house

In terms of the load-bearing part, the thickness of the outer wall of an individual house of 25 cm will cope with its task completely, but solid brick, in addition to its excellent qualities, also has its drawbacks. One of the disadvantages is good thermal conductivity. In short, if you build a house with insufficient thickness of external bricks and without additional insulation, then at subzero temperatures in winter the walls in the house will begin to get wet.

What to do in this case?

Increasing the wall thickness of an individual building

If you try to increase the thickness of the wall, it turns out that it should be 0.64 m, i.e. 2.5 bricks based on the maximum temperature in winter -30°C. Considering that the specific gravity of brickwork is very large, such a wall requires a massive foundation for a house that would withstand such a load, and this is a huge expense, and the brick itself is not the cheapest building material.

Using Hollow Brick for Brick Wall

In masonry, you can use so-called hollow bricks, which will reduce the thickness of the wall of an individual building due to voids, which will reduce its thermal conductivity.

Using insulation inside the wall of an individual house

Using additional material for insulation inside a brick wall is an ideal option in this case, which is very popular and has a lot of advantages. Today, building the walls of a house from bricks without insulation is not advisable, and is practically not used in modern construction.

The pie of such a wall looks like this:

The outer part of the wall is 0.5 brick thick, i.e. 12 cm - insulation, the thickness and type of which is selected taking into account climatic conditions. - the inner part of the wall, to ensure load-bearing capacity, is made of 25 cm thick bricks or blocks.

Choosing this method of constructing brick walls of an individual house will solve several problems at once:

Reducing foundation costs - reducing brick costs - increasing the area of ​​the house by reducing wall thickness

And in general, living in an individual brick house is a pleasure. Such a house will never lose its popularity, because, with a properly laid foundation, such a house will last “eternity.”

Greetings to all readers! What should be the thickness of brick exterior walls is the topic of today’s article. The most commonly used walls made of small stones are brick walls. This is due to the fact that the use of brick solves the problems of creating buildings and structures of almost any architectural form.

When starting to carry out a project, the design firm calculates all structural elements - including the thickness of the brick exterior walls.

The walls in a building perform various functions:

• If the walls are only an enclosing structure
  , in this case they must meet thermal insulation requirements in order to ensure a constant temperature and humidity microclimate, and also have soundproofing qualities.
• Load-bearing walls
  must have the necessary strength and stability, but also, like enclosing walls, must have heat-shielding properties. In addition, based on the purpose of the building and its class, the thickness of the load-bearing walls must correspond to the technical indicators of its durability and fire resistance.

Seam size between bricks

The correct choice of bricklaying method determines the strength and quality of the object being constructed, its consumption, as well as the cost and duration of construction work.

The brick bond itself plays an important role in ensuring the properties of the structure being constructed.

The fact is that such masonry implies the presence of vertical and horizontal joints, which are filled with cement. It acts as a connecting component that connects individual blocks together into a single structure.