Details of Finish 



73 



The common method of laying the facing brick is in courses of stretchers, with 

 a course of headers every sixth course. This makes a good wall, both in ap- 

 pearance and stability. "Flemish bond" is laid of alternate headers and stretchers 

 in each course; "English bond" consists of alternate courses of headers and 

 stretchers (see Fig. 8). Both these last make as strong a job as can be built, 

 there being little choice between them. Flemish bond is generally preferred for 

 effect, and was largely used in the Southern Colonial architecture. It is not 

 advisable to lay any sort of masonry in freezing weather. Bricks are ordinarily 

 laid wet; in freezing weather, however, they should be laid dry. 



The most common method of supporting the masonry over a door or window 

 opening is by the stone cap or lintel. Although it has the appearance of carry- 

 ing the load above single-handed, yet it is reinforced at the back by a relieving 

 arch, which takes the load and prevents the stone from breaking. This arch, 

 segmental in form, is turned on wood centres, and consists ordinarily of two 

 courses of brick set on edge with close joints (see Fig. 8). The wall being bonded 

 together above it, is thus supported, 

 while the capstone is relieved of the 

 strain. If an extra heavy weight comes 

 over the opening the depth of the arch 

 is increased, and frequently a piece of 

 railroad iron is inserted over the cap to 

 relieve this latter member directly. 



Floor timbers coming above an 

 opening are sometimes supported on iron 

 beams set in the wall above the arch, or 

 by framing a header into the timbers on 

 either side of the opening for the sup- 

 port of those in the interval between. 



Where an arch is substituted for 

 the cap, the relieving arch usually takes 

 its form, being above it correspondingly 

 as the rabbet made in the vertical jambs 

 for the insertion of the window frames. 

 In such cases the centres are removed 

 after the arch is set. Should the arch 

 be near the corner or end of the 

 wall, or be of such form, or be 

 loaded so as to exert a consider- 

 able thrust or spreading pressure 

 upon the two piers from which it 

 springs, a tie iron should be built 

 into the wall and securely anchored 

 in either pier, to counteract such 

 pressure. If the arch be fairly high, 

 this iron may extend across the open- 



, J . . , r i T Entrance to Belle Aire, Maryland, showing the effective use 



mg at the height Ot the Spring; if of Flemish bond as laid in two shades of brick 



