Masonry Terms

Bed Joint - the horizontal layer of mortar on which a brick is set.
Brick Value Builder - a contractor who is experienced in building with brick & who is trained to provide accurate price quotations on brick projects.
Bullnose - a brick with one rounded end. Bricks with 2 rounded ends, called Double Bullnose, are often used for capping.
Centering - temporary formwork for the support of masonry arches or lintels during construction also called center(s).
Coping - brick used at the top of a wall, generally for protection & ornamentation. The ends overhang the wall, allowing rainwater to fall clear.
Corbel - projecting successive courses of masonry out from the wall face.
Course - a horizontal row of bricks.
Joint - mortar that binds bricks sideby- side & course-to-course.
Keystone - wedge-shaped stone or brick at the center/summit of an arch.
Lintel - a horizontal beam or slab spaning an opening & supporting the wall above it.
Projection - a brick that has intentionally been set forward of the general wall surface to appear more rugged, rustic, or to create a pattern.
Quoins - the exterior corners of a wall (or) projecting brick panels at the corner of a building imitating dressed stone quoins.
Soldier Course - a row of bricks stood on end, much like soldiers at attention.
Step Tread - a custom shape brick used to create steps also called Ogee Rowlock.