Home Improvement

A Handy to Guide to all about Blocklaying and Bricklay

Blocklaying and Bricklay is the procedure of laying concrete blocks and clay bricks in a pattern to beautify your landscape. Apart from decoration it also lays a solid foundation to an open ground. This can be performed for road making, driveways, pathways or gardens. However, planning may vary with design and formation.


Benefits of Blocklaying and Bricklay:
  • Imparts unique appearance which sets itself apart from the otherwise normal procedure.
  • Cost effective as opposed to other forms of decorations.
  • Great replacements for road making ingredients, such as asphalt.
  • Recycled materials used.
  • Durable and long lasting, hence no need of frequent replacement.
Normal clay bricks or red bricks and concrete chunks are the two main components. Concrete blocks are produced in many dimensions, hues, consistency and shapes. They are permeable in nature and are made of dyes, small stones, color, sand and cement in varying quantity. Crushed glass and debris are used as alternatives for small stones by certain manufacturers.

The shapes and sizes may differ with maker from normal rectangles to vintage styles. Metallic oxide based dyes are used to impart color to the concrete bricks. The price may differ with the quality of colors. There are chances of waning hues in the sunlight so one should be careful while choosing.

“Trough color” and the other by “face mix” are two concrete coloring methods. The former involves the whole block to be colored which is pricey. The latter is cost effective since it involves coloring of only on the exposed face.

A clay brick on the other hand, is baked in a furnace to set it hard. These are generally rectangular and available in different dimensions. Clay blocks need not be colored with dyes, but naturally. There are infinite options in color availability.

Different laying methods:
  • Flexible construction involves laying block or bricks on a ground without cement. The block gaps are filled with sand.
  • Rigid construction involves laying of clay bricks on a concrete platform joined with cement.
Different layout designs:
  • Herringbone pattern is most common of all which is used widely. The interlock procedure creates a strong foundation apt for driveways and roads. It is further divided in two different forms
  1. 45 degrees herringbone
  2. 90 degrees herringbone
  • Basket-weave pattern involves feeble linkage hence does not stand heavy foot falls.
  • Stretcher bond is another patter followed by designers.
Blocklaying and Bricklay require certain master tools for construction:
  1. Brick trowel
  2. Brick hammer
  3. Line pins and line
  4. Profile board
  5. Spirit level
  6. Rubber mallet
  7. Brick bolster
  8. Gauge rod
  9. Mortar hawk
  10. Cold chisel
  11. Gauging trowel
  12. Pointing trowel
  13. Plumbline
  14. Club hammer
  15. Brick jointer
  16. Frenchman
  17. Joint raker
  18. Builder’s square
Without these tools it is impossible to perform the task.

Points to remember:
  • Employ an experienced bricklayer who has the necessary skills and expertise in this field
  • Availability of the correct tools with the bricklayer
  • The thickness of the filling should be just right for the proper construction
  • Confirm the stone used, color, design and shapes with the contractor
  • Double check the price and any hidden charges
  • Avoid construction in rainy seasons
  • Ensure the outflow of water
This article covers all about Blocklaying and Bricklay that guides you with the basics. A proper observation and expert application will ensure a beautiful layout.

If you still looking for more information then click here and get more idea on it.

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