What You Need to Know about Brickwork Accessories
What You Need to Know about Brickwork Accessories
Whether you’re buildings new home and want to be involved in the process or you are trying to expand your general building knowledge in the specialised area of brickwork and masonry, you will need to get a solid handle on the tools and accessories. This handy guide provides an overview to just about everything you will need to understand – well, everything except the bricks and blocks themselves.
Masonry Support – There are three principle systems that can be used for masonry support angles. Choosing the right one depends on a number of different factors. However, this is quite an important decision as it relates both to load and design. And it is a decision that affects all the other accessories that will need to be ordered.
Cast-in Channels – These can range from simple to complex systems. There are some that feature self-anchoring slots that are capable of accepting restraint systems. These provided for necessary adjustments and can eliminate drilling. Nail holes can also assist with the fixing channels to formwork.
Windposts – These accessories offer a solution to the problems of panels with openings as these can disrupt the structure and stability of any masonry project. Rather than increasing the thickness of the wall, as has been done in the past, windposts fit into the wall allowing for the maintenance of thickness.
Brick Reinforcement – These strips of wire fit in between the layers of brick or blockwork to provide additional stability to the wall. This assists with crack prevention and a number of other structural concerns. Reinforcements work with just about any size of brick and are almost a requirement when it comes to stability.
Wall Channel – These are used to tie brickwork to the frame of a building. Channels assist with the preservation of stability in general – and help to ensure that loads are balanced in the face of the wind and other oppressive elements.
Wall Starter Systems – These are not exactly the ground level of walls as you might expect. Instead, these systems are used to begin a new wall that must attach directly to an existing wall. Different strengths and styles exist for the different types materials used on the existing walls
Head Restraints - These offer the restraint needed at the top of masonry walls. These are necessary for offering vertical movement when needed to accommodate shrinkage as a result of thermal movements or balancing wind loads.
Restraint Straps – There have been some exciting product developments in terms of restraint straps recently. These connectors, which hold together several joists are now sold as thinner, yet stronger fittings alleviating many of the problems experienced with heavier straps.
Masonry Hangers (Solid Joist) – These helpful corners hold framework and roofing joists in place at the top (or indeed any level) of vertical masonry work. Because of the strength these hangers must have to hold a building together, these must be made from the highest quality of materials.
Roof Connectors – Truss clips act as roof connectors holding solid beams in place – and offering support even when balancing wind loads throughout the structure. There are a few different connectors available based on the overall design of the building; choosing one is very specific to all the elements in play.
Angle Brackets and Ties – This accessory has a name that is as literal as it gets. These handy supports bracket and tie together across angles. Where these include a join, they must be as strong as possible to provide the needed stability.
Joint Fillers – This is available as polyethylene foam which comes as a roll, a sheet or in strip form. And, these are used to provide extra support around the joints of the building.
Sealants – These are incredibly important accessories when you take into consideration the number of joints usually present in any building. This can be used to hold these joints in place, and it will usually provide damp protection around window and door frames when used to secure these areas.
Damp Proof Courses (DPC) and Accessories – You must consider a number of different factors when it comes to choosing the right DPC for your building. These include the ability to adhere to mortar, membrane colour, durability and flexibility, load resistance, thermal efficiency and fire and gas resistance. Failure to accommodate all of these factors could result in ineffective coverage.
Cloak Units – These accessories are designed to simplify dampproofing in difficult areas and to eliminate related leakage paths. There are a small number of options to choose between; however, even this small number is enough to protect your structure adequately.
Special Applications Coping Stones – These offer strength in the areas that need it the most. These provide horizontal, vertical or stepped DPCs as required according to the overall design of the building construction.
Abutment and Leaded Cavity Trays – Both of these items are used at the upper levels of the building. Abutment trays offer dampproofing where cavity walls meet slopping roofs (that would otherwise be a difficult area to manage. Cavity trays can be used to dress secret gutters
Brickwork Protection – These items are used during construction to ensure that masonry projects are protected from the elements whilst in the process of building. (Although, this term can also be used for the products that protect the building after it is complete, this is a lesser used term.)
Brick and Concrete Cleaning Materials – No job is ever complete until everything is spick and span, right? And when it comes to creating masonry constructions, often bricks and blocks need to be cleaned and free from debris before work commences. Whatever you need to be cleaned though, you will need to get you hands on these.
Bricklayer Accessories – And finally, there are all the tools necessary to complete any masonry project. These include everything from levels to thermometers to drill bits. And, while they do not form part of the final construction, nothing can be built without them?
And, once you’ve got a handle on all these items, then it is time to start considering the bricks and blocks you will need for your next project.
For more information about brickwork accessories please visit the SIG Construction Accessories website - http://www.sig-ca.co.uk/product-range/masonry-products/