Brick Wall and Block Fence Experts
As professional bricklayers it should come as no surprise that we build brick walls but you may not know just how many types of block walls there are that we can build for you. There is an infinite variety of styles and looks with varying styles both of masonry and the pointing between the bricks that defines its look. There is no style we can't build for you, although we do have our own recommendations on suitability particularly when it comes to the two main types of wall; structural, or decorative.
Solid Block Walls These are the classic structural or load-bearing wall. Solid block walls have been around since 7000 BC and were used for walls near Jericho. The next big step was the development of fired bricks, very similar to modern bricks, which happened somewhere around 3500 BC and that meant bricks became popular in places too cool to sun bake them. Bricks have proven their worth ever since and a solid wall consisting of one but usually two layers of block wall have a simple and reliable structural strength that comes from header bricks that go sideways to span both layers of the wall. These days we can also enhance that with metal ties where needed with the end result that our solid block fences are tough as stone. That's why 'bricks and mortar' is still a byword for solidity and dependability. Cavity Walls Cavity walls are typically two layers of solid single brick thick wall separated by an air gap of two to four inches. That cavity provides gives us a whole range of choices of ways to optimize the wall depending on the job we need it to do. That includes poured concrete for strength, foam insulation, or simply the air gap itself which acts as a water barrier. Where increased insulation is needed we can always retro fit installation into cavity walls to increase the thermal resistance of a wall (and decrease your heating bills of course). Veneer Block Walls Veneer walls are decorative walls where the bricks look every bit as solid as a load bearing wall but the reality is that they back onto a masonry structure typically featuring metal studs that actually take the weight of the structure. Those walls can also have cavities for improved insulation since the single layer of brick is not good enough to meet modern standards. Brick Types and Bonds Bricks can be the familiar burnt clay variety, or sand lime bricks, or concrete. Different bricks are designed to perform different tasks, for example veneer bricks for looks, capping bricks for the tops of freestanding walls and bullnose bricks with rounded edges. Then there are the brick bonds, that means the patterns they are laid in which isn't just about geometric shapes but also the different strength properties that each pattern offers. Us at Masonry Creations Tempe just love talking bricks, so if you want to get in touch we will be delighted to run through our recommendations for brick types, materials, and bonds for your walls. |
|