In the construction industry, bonding gives a pattern for the laid bricks. It enables strong and stable structural integrity with a dramatic effect on the visual appearance of the brick. Types of bonds in brick masonry wall construction are categorised based on the style of laying and bonding bricks in walls. Bonding in brick masonry is created by filling mortar between brick layers and in grooves when bricks are placed next to each other and stacked in layers within walls.
Cement mortar is the most commonly used material for brick masonry bonds, although lime mortar and mud mortar are also used. Let us explain the English garden wall bond in detail.
What is the English Garden Wall Bond?
The English garden wall is a small variation of the traditional English bond. In the brick-laying process, stretchers and headers are the two different types of laying bricks that are used in different types of wall bonds.
A stretcher bond is also called a running bond, which is considered the most common type of brick bond. In this pattern, the bricks are laid horizontally by showing their long and narrow sides. Their thickness is usually half a brick. Whereas, a header bond is also called a heading bond, in which the bricks are laid with their headers facing outside. The overlapping between bricks is equal to half the width of a brick.
Importance of English Garden Wall Bond
It is commonly used for gardening walls, boundary walls, and also decorative purposes. It will be a good choice for increasing the aesthetic appearance of the wall. In this wall bonding method, a layer of headers is inserted at regular intervals between the stretchers. To achieve the perfect outstanding effect, the headers are placed approximately at every fourth, fifth, and sixth course.
The visual pattern of the wall can be increased by placing the stretchers and headers alternatively. It is primarily a decorative material that enhances the appearance of the built wall. The headers, which are added intermittently, may form a break to the continuous stretchers, which adds additional beauty and provides a visual treat for the viewers.
How to Construct an English Garden Wall Bond?
It is made up of two alternative course stretchers and headers, each with one line of stretchers and another line of headers. Each alternate row is aligned vertically, with the headers centered on the stretchers. Following the initial header, a quoin closer is at the beginning and end of the wall to disrupt the alignment of vertical joints. Half-length bricks are used as quoin closers at the corner of the brick walls.
An English bond can be suitable for all kinds of wall thicknesses. It is one of the strongest wall bonds among all other types. In this bond, each brick is laid alternatively as shown by the one above. A queen closer is placed after the quoin header in each heading course. This placement helps to break the vertical joints, preventing them from forming a continuous line.
Application for English Garden Wall Bond
The English garden wall is a single brick-thick wall. It can serve as a boundary wall or as the outer layer of a cavity wall. This type of wall is cost-effective and budget-friendly to construct, as it does not require skilled workers for its construction process; even unskilled workers can build this wall.
The exposed brickwork provides a uniform appearance and enhances aesthetic appeal. However, its unique look may not be as strong as the English bond. Its primary purpose is to satisfy aesthetic considerations rather than provide solid support for a structure.
The English garden wall has limited applications, such as dwarf walls, short-height walls, and other types of walls that are not subjected to heavy loads or stress. It is ideal for non-load-bearing walls or shorter structures where aesthetics take precedence over strength. This wall type works well for garden or boundary walls in commercial, residential, or school projects.
Moreover, the English garden wall bond requires fewer facing bricks, thereby reducing the need for each brick to be flawless.
Cost and Maintenance of English Garden Wall Bond
To calculate the cost and maintenance of an English Garden Wall bond, you’ll need to consider both the materials and labour costs as well as ongoing maintenance. Here are the approximate dimensions and costs with the following specifications:
- Wall Height: 1 meter
- Wall Length: 5 meters
- Cost per Brick: ₹8
- Mortar Cost per Cubic Meter: ₹4000
- Labor Hourly Rate: ₹100
- Repointing Cost per Square Meter: ₹150
1. Cost Calculation
- Total Wall Area
First, calculate the total wall area:
Wall Area = Height X Length = 1 m× 5 m = 5 square meters
- Brick Cost
For an English Garden Wall bond, typically 60–75 bricks per square meter are used. Here, we assume an average of 70 bricks per square meter for calculation:
- Total Bricks Needed:
Total Bricks = Wall Area × Bricks per Square Meter = 5 × 70 = 350 bricks
- Total Brick Cost:
Total Brick Cost = Total Bricks × Cost per Brick = 350 × 8 = ₹2800
- Mortar Cost
For brickwork, approximately 0.03 cubic meters of mortar per square meter is required.
- Total Mortar Volume Needed:
Total Mortar Volume = Wall Area × Mortar per Square Meter = 5×0.03 = 0.15 cubic meters
Total Mortar Volume = Wall Area × Mortar per Square Meter = 5×0.03 = 0.15 cubic meters
Total Mortar Cost = Total Mortar Volume × Mortar Cost per Cubic Meter =0.15 × 4000 = ₹600
Labour Cost
Assuming it takes 8 hours to construct this wall (due to its small size and precise pattern), we calculate labour cost as follows:
Total Labor Cost = Total Labor Hours × Labor Hourly Rate = 8 × 100 = ₹800
2. Maintenance Calculation
For maintenance, repointing (renewing the mortar between bricks) is typically required every 5–10 years. Based on the repointing cost per square meter:
Repointing Cost = Wall Area × Repointing Cost per Square Meter = 5×150 = ₹750
Based on these calculations, the total cost breakdown is as follows:
- Total Brick Cost: ₹2800
- Total Mortar Cost: ₹600
- Total Labor Cost: ₹800
- Repointing Cost: ₹750 (for maintenance every 5–10 years)
Total Initial Construction Cost: ₹4200 (excluding maintenance)
Conclusion
The English garden wall bond adds a decorative touch to buildings, making them look more attractive and charming. It creates a traditional appearance that fits well with historical styles, and you can change the pattern of the bricks to get the look you want.
FAQ’s
It is an economical bond type that uses very few bricks to make its structure. It can be used for building single-thickness walls that do not have to support any additional or existing structures. So, fewer bricks form a weaker structure but give a charming appearance.
English garden wall bond is less strong than English bond and is typically used in traditional walled gardens and other modest structures. It’s also used less frequently outside of the north of the UK, where it’s more common on the east coast.