Red Seal Bricklayer Practice Exam

What type of bond is most commonly used in brick walls?

1. Header bond

2. Stretcher bond

3. Stack bond

4. English bond

The correct answer is: Stretcher bond

The stretcher bond is the most commonly used bond in brick walls due to its simplicity and efficiency in construction. It consists of laying bricks with their long sides (stretchers) facing outwards, creating a uniform appearance and ensuring that the load is distributed evenly across the wall. This bond is particularly popular for single-leaf walls, as it provides good structural stability while requiring fewer bricks than some other patterns. The design also offers excellent aesthetic appeal, creating clean lines that are visually appealing, making it a preferred choice in both residential and commercial applications. The staggered joints in a stretcher bond enhance the structural integrity of the wall, preventing weaknesses that could arise from direct alignment of vertical joints. Other bonds like the header bond, stack bond, and English bond may serve specific purposes but are not as widely adopted as the stretcher bond in general construction.