Brick Coursing: Three Ways to Lay Brick

With the always present masonry requirements of the many municipalities and design review committees, Godden|Sudik designers have become more creative in their use of large amounts of brick by using different brick coursing. Although there are many different ways to lay brick, recently, our designers have used three different brick coursing patterns, the stacking bond, the running bond and the Flemish bond to add a little variety and interest.

The most common brick coursing that is used in the field and in our office is the running bond. This style has the first row of bricks placed so that the long end of the brick goes across the row. The next row up is where the running bond starts, by starting the next long brick in the middle of the brick on the row below it. This pattern continues up the wall, subsequently making the first odd numbered rows match and the even numbered rows match. This type of coursing easily allows for bricks to be cut and removed at doors and windows.

Running Bond

Another recently used brick coursing is the stacking bond. The first row starts the same as the running bond but then the deviates at the second row. Instead of the second row of bricks being offset by half of the brick below it, it is stacked directly on top of the brick below it, all the way up the wall. This creates a very distinct grid pattern with all the bricks and mortar lining up in long rows and columns.

Stacked Bond

The last brick coursing that has been used recently is the Flemish bond. This coursing starts with one brick being laid long ways, followed by a brick being cut in half and the end of the brick, facing out, being placed next in the row. This then continues along the row; long then short end, long then short end. Somewhat like the running bond, the Flemish bond starts the second row, opposite of the first with the short end being placed first and the long end following that to the end of the row; short end then long, short end then long. 

Flemish Bond