Bond Pattern Arches

An arch is made up of tapered sections, voussoirs. The bonding pattern across the face of the arch, if there is one, depends upon the face height of the arch and brick length you have to work with. There are many bond patterns you can use. The two principal bond patterns are quarter-bond or half-bond. Half-bond is the most common, giving a 1/3-2/3 pattern across the face. Your arch may have wide joints (10mm normally on sand faced arches), or very fine lime putty joints around 1mm on rubbed & gauged work. When voussoirs are very long, a "Dutch cut" may be used to extend the brick length. A Dutch cut is a disguised false joint and is often mistakenly pointed during renovations & refurbishment.

For more information on Bond Pattern Arches talk to Bulmer Brick Cutting