A soldier course is a row of bricks laid on their side (header face) upright, usually above a window or door opening or as a finish on top of a garden wall. The bricks stand vertically instead of horizontally, which visually distinguishes the soldier course from the regular brickwork and gives it a decorative function.
Where is a soldier course used?
| Position | Function |
|---|---|
| Above windows and doors | Decorative lintel finish (often with a steel or concrete lintel behind it) |
| On top of a garden wall | Capping that sheds water |
| At the transition between plinth and facade | Marking the ground level line |
| As a decorative band in the facade | Ornamental element |
Soldier course as a lintel
A soldier course above a window looks like an arch or a straight row of upright bricks. But note: the soldier course itself does not support the brickwork above it. Behind or above the soldier course there is always a lintel (concrete or steel) that carries the weight. The soldier course is purely decorative.
Laying a soldier course
1. Support — Place a template or board under the position of the soldier course (this supports the bricks during laying)
2. Bricks on their side — Lay the bricks vertically (on end) with mortar between them
3. Joints — Same joint thickness as the rest of the brickwork (10 mm)
4. Remove support — Only after the mortar has fully cured
Related terms
- Lintel
- Bond pattern
- Joint
- Mortar