The last meeting was cancelled due to other commitments, but research into possible brickwork bonds continued, with a view to purchasing embossed plasticard sheet.
What are the likely bonds? English, Flemish and Stretcher are the first that come to mind, and all are available from Slaters. As previously mentioned, English and Flemish bonds require closers at corners and openings, but do offer an interesting elevation. However, inserting those closers would require immense patience. It is possible to omit the closers with English and Flemish bonds, with 3/4 bricks, but the opening width pitch increases from 110mm to 170mm, and are they authentic? Stretcher bond gives a cleaner, less-fussy look, possibly more suitable for smaller scales, but is it correct for the period the buildings were built?
Traditional left and modified right. The two headers on the jamb of the English option can be replaced by a full brick.
Stretcher bond is often associated with modern cavity wall brickwork, but it has been in use for some time. These two adjacent houses, built in 1896, are in Epsom, Surrey and brickwork bonds alternate down the road between Flemish and Stretcher!
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| Stretcher bond |
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| Flemish bond |
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| Stretcher bond |
The red brick detailing is also very appealing, and simple to achieve. The lack of fiddly closers and its simple elegance might just sway the argument towards Stretcher bond.
