What is a recessed course?
A recessed course is a course of brick or stone masonry set back from the face of the wall. The course steps in, creating a horizontal shadow line or set-back band in the facade. The opposite is a projecting course.
Application
Recessed courses are used for several reasons:
- Decorative — a set-back band gives the facade relief and a crisp play of shadow, often combined with projecting courses such as a dogtooth or soldier course.
- Structural — a recessed course can act as a bearing or rebate, for example to receive a canopy, a concrete edge or a roof overhang.
- Functional — a set-back plinth keeps run-off water away from the wall face.
The depth of the recess is usually a quarter to half a brick length (roughly 25 to 50 mm). Deeper recesses call for careful detailing, because the horizontal surface that forms can hold water. Lay this surface with a slight fall or cover it, so moisture does not soak into the masonry and later cause frost damage.
When laying, the recessed course is set out with a taut line and kept level, so the line runs true across the whole facade.
Related terms
- Recessed and projecting
- Bond
- Soldier course
- Dogtooth course
- Facade
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