Bricklayers A–Z dictionary
UK trade reference · plain English
Safety: if a material might contain asbestos, leave it undisturbed and do not drill, sand or break it. Have it surveyed, and use a licensed asbestos contractor for removal: HSE requires a licence for most asbestos removal work.
Brickwork vocabulary should explain the wall behind the finished face: bond, cavities, support, damp protection and movement all matter. A homeowner can use these terms to agree appearance and ask about concealed details. A trainee should connect them to drawings and inspection points rather than copy a familiar wall. Structural and moisture requirements depend on the project and jurisdiction; this glossary is not a masonry design.
This A–Z combines useful technical vocabulary with links to full references where the article meets our depth and sourcing checks. An unlinked definition is intentionally kept here rather than turned into a shallow standalone page. Read a quotation against its actual scope: a familiar word is not a complete specification.
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B
- Bed joint
- The mortar joint between courses of masonry. Thickness and workmanship form part of the specification; a neat visible line does not establish every hidden detail.
- Bond
- The arrangement and connection of masonry units. Decorative appearance and structural arrangement need to be understood in context rather than inferred from one face photograph.
C
- Cavity
- The designed space between leaves of a wall. Insulation, ties, trays and drainage details need coordinating; debris or bridging can undermine the intended arrangement.
- Closer
- A cut or purpose-made unit used to achieve a bond or junction. Its position and dimensions should follow the intended layout, not merely fill an inconvenient gap.
- Course
- A horizontal layer of masonry. Setting out and gauge help coordinate openings and finished heights; repeated small errors can affect the fit of later components.
P
- Perpend
- A vertical mortar joint between units. The required treatment depends on the system and specification; an apparently empty joint should not be assumed correct without checking its purpose.
S
- Soldier course
- A course with units commonly arranged vertically. Its support, weathering and relation to an opening need design rather than an assumption that the visible pattern supplies a lintel.
W
- Wall tie
- A component linking leaves of a cavity wall in the designed arrangement. Type, placement and installation must suit the specification and environment, not simply look familiar.
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Sources and further reading
Linked article sources support the technical background; informal usage is editorial and varies by region. Full specification and legal requirements must be checked in the original.
Sources checked: 8 November 2026. General reference, not instructions for safety-critical DIY. National regulations and current standards must be checked for the project.
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