Garden Wall Brick Bond has been a widely used construction technique for years and has a great history and legacy for years. It has been practiced since ancient civilisations in Romanian and Egyptian architectures for the construction of sturdy walls, that are still in existence over time. This bonding has evolved and is now compatible with gardening and landscaping designs. Here we take a look at what is garden wall bonding, its types, where it is used, pros, cons, and more.
What is Garden Wall Bond?
A Garden Wall Bond is a brickwork that is constructed with a single-brick thickness for non-structural walls that are not more than two meters in height. These bonds use both headers and stretchers in the structure of facing walls. Although they are quite similar to English Bond, they differ in strength. These bonds are versatile, have numerous advantages, and are widely used construction techniques for most outdoor structures.
Different types of Garen Wall Bonds
There are three types of Garden Wall Bonds in the masonry works/construction field, namely- Garden Wall Bonds, Garden Wall Flemish Bonds and Garden Wall Monk Bonds.
Garden Wall English Bond
In this bond type, one header course is laid for every three stretcher courses. In each header course, a queen closer is laid next to the quoin header to provide the necessary bond, between the bricks. In the stretcher courses, the quoin headers are placed in alternate courses. If five stretcher courses are laid consecutively between a header bond course, it is called a Scottish Bond. Whereas using five stretcher courses between a header course is called an American Bond.
Garden Wall Flemish Bond
In this bond type, one header is placed between three to five stretchers on the same horizontal course. A 3/4 brick bat is placed next to the quoin header in the alternate course to form the lap. The header is laid in the middle of each central stretcher. This bond is also called a Scotch bond or Sussex bond.
Garden Wall Monk Bond
This bond is similar to a Flemish bond, where one header course is placed between two successive stretcher courses. Each alternate course contains a quoin header and a 3/4 brickbat.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Garden Wall Bonds
Advantages
- Garden Wall Bricks, when constructed properly, can last longer, as it has high-durability properties.
- The design patterns give the wall an aesthetic look for the outdoor spaces, offering classic, contemporary, and rustic looks.
- These bricks can be designed to fit various design needs, whether it is a straight line, a curve, or any unique visual effects.
Disadvantages
- These bricks can cause structural damage, as plant roots can grow inside the wall; therefore, the plants that are grown in the garden should be carefully selected.
- These walls are not as strong as English bonds.
- The walls need to be maintained frequently to avoid moisture damage, cracks, and abrasion.
- If poorly constructed, they may require high maintenance costs, which also reduces their durability.
- They need skilled labour, as the placement of headers and stretchers must be precise.
Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Garden Wall Bond
Digging the Foundation
The position of the garden wall that needs to be built is marked and the soil is dug out for at least 150 mm thick and at least 50 mm depth below the ground level.
Laying the foundation
Lay the level concrete foundations using ballast and cement by blending them with water. Pour the mixture into the trench and spread it out. The spread-out concrete is tampered with to remove pour gaps. Using a long spirit level, check if the concrete is flat and does not form any slope.
Setting the string level
Dry lay the bricks on the first course of the block like a footing and use a taut string to line the placement and level of the first course of walling the bricks. The level strings are used at the top of the brick to check if the spirit level is flat.
Preparing the mortar
Blend three parts of sand and one part of cement with water and other additives to form a mix until it comes to a consistency to hold the bricks together and form a structure.
Building the first course
Pour the mortar on the concrete footing to form a concrete bed and lay the brick over it. Lay all the bricks in the first course and check for levelling by using the rubber mallet and spirit level. Check whether the mortar exudes between the joints.
Building the wall
Lay the mortar on the first course to fill the joints using the chisel, ensuring it is capable of holding the bricks above the previous layer for the perfect vertical joint. Make sure to smooth off the mortar and maintain at least 10 mm joint gaps vertically. Repeat the process until the wall reaches the required height.
What is the difference between the English Bond and the English Garden Wall?
| English Bond | English Garden Wall |
| In English Bond, the courses are arranged with stretchers and headers in the alternate courses. | In the English Garden Wall, the three to five stretcher bond is followed by a header bond. |
| They have more strength and durability. | They have less strength compared to English bonds. |
| These bonds have one-and-a-half to two brick thicknesses. | These bonds have a single brick thickness. |
| These bonds can be used for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls. | These bricks are only used for non-load-bearing walls. |
Conclusion
Garden Wall Bricks have a rich history with versatile usages. They are known for their durability, strength, and attractive build, making them a pleasing choice for outdoor walls. They create a good look to the garden and parks and also can withstand for a long period. These bricks can be blended with stone and other design elements to make the outer wall more attractive. All these characteristics make them one of the ideal choices for your outdoor garden walls.