Flemish bond is one of the European-style bonding of bricks. Although the name says Flemish, it is not native to Flanders or even France or the Netherlands. This pattern has its origins in Northern and Central Europe, particularly in Poland, Germany, and Georgia (the country).
It gained significant attention in the 17th century and became widely popular in European construction, thus providing historical significance. Good examples of Flemish Bond-type construction are Frauenkirche in Munich, Kew Palace in London, Gloria Dei Church in Philadelphia, Ludwell-Paradise House in Virginia, and St. Luke’s Church in Smithfield, Virginia.
The European style started influencing the people of India, leading to a demand for a Flemish touch in their dream homes. So what makes this bond so widely popular? Here we take a look at the design pattern of Flemish bond, their types, applications, and much more.
What is Flemish Bond Brick?
Flemish Bond is the arrangement of bricks with the combination of stretchers (the long narrow side of the brick) and headers (the shorter square side of the brick) in the same horizontal plane (course). The headers are centrally supported by the stretcher on the underlying course. A quoin header is placed at the corner of the wall, marking the beginning of the alternate course. A quoin closer is positioned to the right of the quoin header to promote the face lap
Types of Flemish Bond Brick
Flemish Bonds are of two types- Double Flemish Bond and Single Flemish Bond. Both the bonds vary in the brick-laying pattern and have their own physical properties and characteristics.
Double Flemish Bond
The double flemish bond looks similar on both the interior and exterior faces of the structure. It exhibits good wall thickness and has superior looks and designs. The headers and stretchers are alternatively arranged on the same course. Half-bats and 3/4 bats are used with an odd number of half-bricks. Walls that are made evenly don’t need half-bats.
Single Flemish Bond
This is a combination of Flemish and English brickwork patterns. A double flemish bond is visible on the face, while an English bond serves as the backing, with hearting in each course. The Single Flemish Brick leverages the strengths of both English and Flemish bonds. They have a thickness of one and a half brick size.
Properties of Flemish Bond Brick
- The Flemish bonds are highly resistant and vigorous against dust and stress, making it look more clean and strain-free for a longer time.
- These brick bonds are decorative and make it aesthetically appealing.
- The mortar binding the bricks and closing the joints strengthens and stabilises the wall.
- The bricks are arranged in alternative segments on the same course, which reduces the chances of collapse.
- The arrangement of bricks gives an aesthetically pleasing touch to the structure, even without plastering.
- Both the front and back elevations of the double flemish bond are identical.
- Quoin closers and quoin headers are used in the alternate courses.
- The headers are centrally supported by the stretcher on the underlying course.
Applications of Flemish Bond Brickwork
- Flemish Bond has been widely used in European countries such as Germany, Virginia, England, and Georgia(the country) since the 17th century.
- These bonds can be used for the construction of both internal and external structures such as walls and other structures.
- They are applicable for places that demand more thickness in the structure for one to two bricks, depending on the single flemish or double flemish bond.
- These bonds have the strength and stability to withstand high loads, and they can be used for load-bearing structures.
- This bonding style is attractive, and it can be used for decorative walls for visually appealing purposes.
- As the pattern is more decorative, it can be ideal for non-plastered structures.
- These can be used for garden walls, cavity walls, and partition walls of high thickness.
How to Lay a Flemish Bond Brick Wall?
- Prepare the ground or bed to lay the mortar, where the structure needs to be constructed.
- Lay the mortar of the required consistency on the surface and place the header next to the quoin of half or 3/4 bricks.
- Place the stretcher and header side of the brick in an alternate place on the same horizontal course with a minimal gap, to fill it with the mortar.
- Use a plumb bob and a straight edge to check if the bricks are arranged both vertically and horizontally.
- Lay the mortar over the underlying bricks, setting the bed for the overlay bricks.
- Continue layering with quoin headers and closers on the alternate courses and fill the joints with the mortar.
What is the Difference Between the English and Flemish Bond?
| Flemish Bond | English Bond |
| In the Flemish bond, the headers are centrally supported by the stretcher on the below course. | In English bond, the headers and stretchers are arranged in alternate courses. |
| The Flemish Bond provides one full brick thickness. | The English Bond has a higher thickness than the Flemish Bond, where walls are thicker than 1.5 bricks. |
| These bondings are more aesthetically pleasing. | These bondings are less aesthetic, compared to Flemish. |
| It is a more economical option. However, it requires more skilled labourers to lay the bond. | It is more expensive but requires only intermediate-level skilled labor. |
| These bonds are highly resilient to strain and do not require regular cleaning. | The mortar joints in the English Bond demand more regular cleaning. |
| They have strength, stability and are less prone to collapse. | They have high strength when laid perfectly and have a very low chance of collapsing. |
Conclusion
To conclude, Flemish bonds are a widely popular type of bond in the construction of walls. They are known for their strength, durability, and aesthetic properties. They have the excellence and endurance of English craftsmanship and architectural excellence. It is comparatively less strong than the English Bond, however, it is still the preferred brick-laying type, for its versatile properties and physically appealing looks. Will you be considering, the European style architectural construction for your dream home?