A
- Abutment
- The part of a structure that supports an arch or a beam, typically found at the ends of a bridge or similar structure.
- Aggregate
- Materials like sand, gravel, or crushed stone that are mixed with cement to create concrete or mortar.
- Ashlar
- Finely dressed (cut) stone used in masonry construction. Ashlar stones are often square or rectangular.
B
- Baluster
- A short, decorative post that supports the handrail of a staircase or balcony.
- Bed Joint
- The horizontal layer of mortar on which bricks or stones are laid.
- Blockwork
- The use of large concrete or cement blocks in masonry construction, often used for load-bearing walls.
- Bond
- The pattern in which bricks or stones are laid to ensure the structural stability of a wall.
- Bond Beam
- A horizontal structural element, usually made from concrete, that reinforces a masonry wall by tying it together.
- Brick
- A molded rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln until hard and used as a building and paving material.
- Brick Veneer
- A thin layer of brickwork that is attached to the exterior of a building as a decorative façade.
- Buttress
- A structure built against a wall to support or reinforce it.
C
- Cement
- A binding material used in construction that hardens when mixed with water and helps hold other materials together, like sand or gravel in concrete.
- Cladding
- A material used to cover the exterior of a building for insulation or decoration. It can be made of brick, stone, or other materials.
- Concrete Block (CMU)
- Concrete masonry units (CMU) are made from a combination of cementitious materials, aggregate, admixtures, and water.
- Coping
- The protective cap or top course of a masonry wall that prevents water from penetrating the structure.
- Coursing
- The horizontal layers of bricks or stones in a wall. Consistent coursing helps maintain a uniform appearance and structural integrity.
D
- Drywall Masonry
- A type of masonry construction where stones are laid without mortar, relying solely on the weight and shape of the stones for stability.
E
- Efflorescence
- A white powdery substance that forms on masonry surfaces due to salt deposits from water evaporation.
- Expansion Joint
- A gap or flexible joint in masonry that allows for the natural expansion and contraction of the materials due to temperature changes.
F
- False Joint
- A groove or indentation made to resemble a real mortar joint, often used for decorative purposes in a solid surface.
- Firebrick
- A special type of brick made to withstand high temperatures, typically used in chimneys, fireplaces, or kilns.
- Flashing
- Thin materials (often metal) used to prevent water penetration at junctions or intersections of a roof, wall, or chimney.
G
- Gauge
- The thickness or size of masonry materials, such as bricks, blocks, or stones.
- German Smear
- German smear is a masonry technique that involves applying a thin coat of mortar onto the surface of brick or stone and then smearing it off, leaving behind a textured and whitewashed appearance
- Grout
- A type of mortar used to fill gaps between tiles, bricks, or stones to keep them in place and to seal against moisture.
H
- Header
- A brick or stone laid with its shorter face exposed in the wall’s face.
J
- Jamb
- The vertical sides of a doorway or window frame.
K
- Keystone
- The central stone at the top of an arch that locks the other stones into place.
L
M
- Masonry Opening (MO)
- The clear space or opening within a masonry structure, such as for windows or doors.
- Monument Sign
- A monument sign is a ground level sign that is used to display a building address and name, neighborhood or community name, identify the building tenants, or to mark a building entrance.
- Mortar
- Mortar is a workable paste that hardens to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks, and concrete masonry units, to fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, spread the weight of them evenly, and sometimes add decorative colors or patterns to masonry walls.
P
- Parapet
- A low wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace that provides protection and safety.
- Parging
- The application of a smooth coat of mortar to a masonry surface, often to improve its appearance or provide weatherproofing.
- Pier
- A vertical support structure, typically made of masonry, used to hold up arches or beams in a building or bridge.
- Pointing
- The process of applying fresh mortar to the joints between bricks or stones for repair or maintenance.
Q
- Quoin
- The external corner of a building, often emphasized with larger or more decorative stones or bricks.
R
- Rebar
- Steel reinforcing bars used within masonry walls or concrete to add strength and prevent cracking.
- Retaining Wall
- A wall designed to hold back soil or other materials, typically built with heavy masonry materials like concrete or stone.
- Reveal
- The side of an opening (such as a window or door) that extends from the face of the masonry wall to the frame.
- Rubble
- Rough, irregular stones often used for the foundation of walls.
S
- Scaffolding
- A temporary framework used to support workers and materials during masonry construction or repair.
- Soldier Course
- A row of bricks or stones set vertically, often used as a decorative element at the top of a wall or above windows and doors.
- Spalling
- The chipping, flaking, or breaking of brick or stone caused by moisture penetration, freezing, or expansion of materials.
- Stack Bond
- A pattern of masonry where bricks or stones are aligned directly on top of each other without any overlapping.
- Stretcher
- A brick or stone laid with its longer face exposed in the wall’s face.
- Stringcourse
- A horizontal band of masonry, typically projecting slightly from the surface, used as a decorative or functional element on the façade of a building.
T
- Tie
- A small metal piece used to connect two layers of masonry or to connect masonry to a structural frame.
- Tooth-in
- A method of joining new masonry work with old by interlocking or overlapping the new materials with the existing structure.
- Tuckpointing
- A technique used to repair or enhance mortar joints by inserting a narrow ridge of mortar.
V
- Veneer
- A thin decorative facing of brick, stone, or other material that is applied to the surface of a wall.
W
- Weep Holes
- Small openings in masonry walls that allow water to escape from within the wall cavity.
- Wythe
- A single vertical layer of bricks or masonry units in a wall. A wall may consist of multiple wythes for added strength.
Z
- Zigzag Bond
- A decorative bricklaying pattern in which bricks are laid at an angle, creating a zigzag effect on the surface of the wall.