What are back bricklayers?
Back bricklayers are masons who build the inner leaf (backing) of a cavity wall, while the face bricklayers construct the outer leaf (face work). This division of labour is standard when building cavity walls, with two teams working simultaneously on either side of the cavity.
Division of labour
When building a cavity wall, the work is divided:
- Face bricklayers — build the outer leaf. This is the visible brickwork and requires greater skill, as the joints and bond pattern must be neat and consistent. Face bricklayers are typically the more experienced masons
- Back bricklayers — build the inner leaf. This masonry is not visible (it will be insulated and lined) and therefore does not need to be as finely finished. Back bricklayers are often less experienced masons or apprentices
Application
The division into face and back bricklayers occurs in:
- House building — building the cavity walls on the ground floor and upper storeys
- Commercial construction — larger projects with extensive brickwork
- Restoration — when repairing historic masonry
Working method
The inner leaf is typically built with:
- Concrete blocks or calcium silicate blocks — larger units that are faster to lay than individual bricks
- Thin-joint mortar — instead of traditional mortar
- Less refined joint finishing — the joints do not need to be struck or tooled
The back bricklayers also install the wall ties that connect the inner and outer leaves.
Related terms
- Bricklaying
- Cavity wall
- Bond pattern
- Mortar
- Wall tie
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