Glossary of Terms – Course / Coursing

Glossary of Terms – Course / Coursing

To understand masonry coursing, it helps to know not only the terminology but also the way brick sizes, brick dimensions, and traditional bonds work together. Since the standard brick size can vary by region, coursing patterns are designed to make the best use of available materials while avoiding any unnecessary cutting. 

Here, we’ve compiled a glossary of masonry coursing terms to help you make choices about your next project. If you have any questions or want professional input, don’t hesitate to contact our masonry specialists today. 

Basic Masonry Coursing Terms

By learning these terms, you’ll not only be able to recognize different coursing patterns but also appreciate the planning that goes into every wall of masonry construction.

Course

A course is a single horizontal layer of masonry units. It may consist of stretchers, headers, or special brick orientations. Courses are stacked one on the other and are separated by bed joints of mortar.

Bed Joint

The horizontal layer of mortar between two courses of masonry. Bed joints are important for bonding, leveling, and sealing the wall.

Perp Joint (Perpend Joint)

The vertical mortar joint between adjacent masonry units in the same course.

Types of Brick Courses

Stretcher Course

In a stretcher course, bricks are laid with their long, narrow face (the stretcher) showing on the wall surface. This is the most common type of coursing, especially in running bond patterns.

Header Course

Bricks are laid with their short end, called the header, exposed. Header courses often tie together two wythes, or layers, of masonry, giving the wall more strength.

Soldier Course

Bricks are placed vertically on their ends with the narrow face showing, lined up like soldiers standing in formation. Soldier courses are often decorative and used above doors or windows.

Sailor Course

Similar to a soldier course, but the wide face of the brick is exposed. This creates a bolder, wider vertical appearance.

Rowlock Course

Bricks are laid on their face, with the short, narrow edge exposed. This is often used for window sills, wall caps, and coping.

Rowlock Stretcher

A variation of the rowlock, where the brick is laid on its face with its long, narrow edge showing.

Rowlock Header

A brick laid on its face with the short end showing. Like the rowlock stretcher, it’s usually used for sills, caps, and detail work.

Masonry Bond Patterns

Bonding refers to the arrangement of bricks in successive courses. Since brick sizes and brick dimensions are standardized in many regions, these patterns can help distribute loads and create a more appealing visual.

Stretcher Bond (Running Bond)

This is the simplest and most common bond, consisting only of stretchers. Each course is offset by half a brick to stagger vertical joints. 

Header Bond

Every brick is laid with its header showing. This type of coursing ties walls together effectively, but is less common in modern construction because of brick thickness limitations.

English Bond

This bond alternates full courses of headers and stretchers. The English bond is considered one of the strongest bond patterns because it balances strength and appearance.

Flemish Bond

A more decorative pattern where each course alternates between a header and stretcher. Flemish bond requires careful planning because of brick cutting, but it creates a more visually interesting effect.

Stack Bond

With stack bonds, bricks are laid directly above one another so that the vertical joints align in a grid-like fashion. While visually striking, stack bonds are weaker than running or English bonds and are often reinforced with steel.

Common Bond (American Bond)

This type of bond is mostly composed of stretcher courses, with a full header course added every fifth or sixth course. This gives it strength while keeping the simple rhythm of the running bond.

Decorative and Functional Courses

String Course

A horizontal band of projecting or decorative masonry that runs along a wall, often used to divide stories of a building.

Watertable Course

A projecting course located near the base of a wall, designed to deflect water away from the foundation.

Coping Course

The top course of a wall is designed to cap and protect it from the weather. Coping courses are often sloped or finished with stone.

Sill Course

Placed beneath window openings, sill courses help support the frame and shed rainwater.

Lead Course

The first course of masonry laid, typically at the bottom of a wall, is used to establish alignment and level for the rest of the wall.

Bond Course

A course specifically designed to tie together multiple wythes of masonry. These usually consist of headers.

Quoin

The masonry units that form the external corner of a wall. Quoins are often emphasized with alternating headers and stretchers for visual and structural effect.

Brick Sizes and Dimensions in Coursing

To fully appreciate masonry coursing and the professionals who install and repair it, you need to understand brick sizes. The dimensions of a brick dictate how coursing patterns align, how mortar joints are laid, and whether any cutting will be needed.

In the US, the standard brick size is typically 7-5/8 inches long, 2-1/4 inches high, and 3-5/8 inches deep. When combined with a 3/8-inch mortar joint, the nominal dimensions become 8 × 2-2/3 × 4 inches. This sizing allows bricks to align in coursing without needing extra cutting.

Knowing the dimensions of a brick is important when you’re designing masonry coursing, since it’s what helps make sure the patterns like English bond or Flemish bond will line up properly across multiple courses. Architects, engineers, and masons often design entire walls around these dimensions.

The Purpose of Masonry Coursing 

Masonry coursing has several important purposes, all of which masonry experts think about when repairing or designing a wall. 

Wall Strength and Stability

Coursing patterns like English or Common bond can help tie a wall together and resist any natural structural stresses.

Aesthetics

Patterns such as Flemish bond or decorative string courses can be used to make the wall look more appealing.

Efficiency

Standardized brick sizes and consistent coursing can help reduce waste and speed up construction.

Durability

Features like coping courses and watertable courses can help protect walls from weather damage.

Learn More About Masonry Coursing with Jagra Masonry 

Understanding what is a course in masonry can help you make the best choices for your next project. If you have any questions or want the opinion of an expert, Jagra Masonry can help.