Dutch brickwork
​
Dutch brickwork is an important part of the architectural tradition in the Netherlands.
​
There are different types of brickwork, such as clean brickwork and dirty brickwork. Clean brickwork, also known as facing brickwork, is that which is visible and consists of clean and good quality bricks. Dirty brickwork (how we call it) is that which is not visible and is often less beautifully laid.
​
Brickwork is a technique in which stones or blocks are placed with mortar or glue against each other. It is important that the stones are rubbed together so that all the space between the stones is completely filled. This is done with the mortar or masonry mortar, which consists of sand, binder and water. The binder is usually Portland or blast furnace cement to which sometimes also lime is added.
​
To lay a wall vertically, the bricklayer uses brickwork profiles. These are usually wooden and sometimes aluminium bars that are placed on the corners or at the end of the wall, usually by the carpenter.
The bricklayer marks the layer distribution on this with the help of the level. A "layer" consists of the thickness of the stone together with the thickness of the joint.
​
Then, he counts down from the meter level to start level. He then draws the "thread" from one profile to the other starting with the bottom layer.
Masonry tools
Tools for bricklayers are an important part of their trade.
​
The most commonly used tools of a Dutch bricklayer are the trowel, joint roller (chariot,raker), hammer, chisel, jointing iron, spirit level, clamping blocks, masonry line, pencil, ruler and a level.
​
The trowel is used to apply the mortar, the hammer and chisel to adjust the bricks, and the jointing iron is used to open and scrape out the joints.
​
The joint roller is used to smooth out the work.
The spirit level is used to make the wall level, and the clamping blocks are used to hold the profiles in place.
Masonry line is used to keep the wall straight, and pencil and ruler are used to measure and mark distances.
​
In addition, other tools such as a mixer, mill or silo are often used to properly mix the mortar. Electric tools such as a drill, angle grinder or screwdriver are also often used in bricklaying.
​
It is important that bricklayers maintain their tools properly and use good quality tools to achieve an efficient and professional result. Tools are an important part of the bricklayer's trade and can be determinative for the quality of the final result.
​
Masonry bonds in the Netherlands
Brickwork patterns are the way that stones or blocks are laid in a wall.
The most common brickwork patterns in the Netherlands are the half-brick bond and wild bond.
Other patterns also seen in the Netherlands include cross bond, Flemish bond, Norwegian bond, chain bond and many more.
​
Half-brick bond (stretcher bond): Each layer of stones offset by half a brick (a header) compared to the underlying layer. Each joint is thus in the middle of the upper and lower stone.
​
Wild bond: The bricklayer starts the first layer with a three-quarter brick. In the next layer, he chooses a stretcher or a header, the third layer starts again with a three-quarter brick, the fourth with a stretcher or header, and so on. Between the corners, the bricklayer can freely choose between a sequence of stretchers, headers. As long as the header or joint does not continue into the next layer of stones.
The rule is: never lay more than 2 headers or 5 stretchers next to each other. In addition, the inevitable steps - (falling teeth) in trade jargon - must be visible for no more than 6 to 7 layers.