Working with Brick and Brickwork Contractors

Brickwork contractors are masons who specialize in using bricks to build structures. Highly skilled, these trades people have created some of the most beautiful buildings in the history of the world. The quality of the work of the best of these individuals is reflected in structures that are still fully operational after more than fifteen hundred years.

If you are building a new home, adding to an existing structure, or creating an outdoor entertainment area, employing skilled brickwork contractors for the task is a sound investment. In order to hire the most qualified individuals, it is important to know a little bit about bricks and how they are used to build things.

Building with brick

Using brick in home construction has some distinct advantages.

First, it improves the insulation capabilities of the structure. Brick in and of itself is not sufficient, but when coupled with proper wall insulation, increases r-value several fold.

Second, brick is a low maintenance material. There is no need for painting, only and annual hosing off, with a light scrubbing on tough spots.

Third, it is a timeless look. A brick façade has an elegance and stateliness that transcends architectural and building trends. Properly maintained, it will keep its handsome look for generations.

Fourth, brick will stand up to even the fiercest huffing and puffing.

About bricks and brickwork

When selecting brick make sure your local climate if brick friendly. Weather extremes have a deleterious effect on the material, so sealants or other surface treatments may have to be applied. Also, bricks are heavy, and a strong foundation is necessary to support their weight. Be sure your home’s foundation is capable of handling the added weight.

Brickwork is the placing of bricks in row upon row (courses), in designated patterns, all held together with mortar (a mixture or water, sand, Portland cement, and other adhesive). Stretcher or header bricks are standard terms and refer to how the bricks are laid in place. Stretchers have the long side exposed to the outside, while headers have the short end exposed. How they overlap one another is called the bond. The most common types of bonds are English, Flemish, and stretcher bond; successful brickwork contractors will have portfolios with pictures of the different types of bonds to help you select the one that is most pleasing to you.

Contractors measure thickness of their work in brick units. Two rows of stretchers creates a thickness of half a brick.

Hiring brickwork contractors is similar to hiring other craftspeople. It is important to get recommendations, interview several contractors, get bids, check references, and visit locations where there are examples of their work. The extra legwork is your assurance that you will find the person whose work will be aesthetically pleasing and will stand the test of time.