The Most Commonly Used Brick Ties in Construction

Brick ties are minor architectural components that hold a brick wall to a wood or steel frame or link two brick walls across a small gap. They are frequently composed of plastic, pressed metal, or braided wire. The primary purpose of these building materials is to strengthen brick walls by diverting some applied force to another load-bearing structure. Brick ties are an affordable and efficient way to reinforce brick-and-mortar structures.

Using Brick Ties

The primary function of wall and brick ties is

1. Providing a connection between wall units

2. Transfer loads

3. Enable material movements

4. Structural reinforcement

There are several types of brick and wall ties to choose from based on the type of connection required and whether they are being installed as part of the construction process or as a retrofit.

Using wall ties, you can securely connect a brick wall's mortar with flat bands of plastic and metal that can be laid in another brick wall or attached to another structure with the other end. These flat ties are frequently given an inverted "V" shape in the centre to help wick away moisture and corrugated at the ends to increase their gripping ability. Brick ties may also contain brackets that you can fasten directly to bricks or dry mortar using nails or screws.

A brick wall can be efficiently strengthened years after it was built by attaching a brick tie. This can assist in protecting walls that are in danger of being damaged or having their foundations shift. For this kind of refit, wire ties are a standard option because they are simple to cut to the correct length on the construction site.

Veneers, Facades and Brick Ties

Brick ties are a crucial part of bricklaying since many of the brick walls visible in a modern city are veneers or facades, thin shells of single-layer brick covering a structural skeleton. Although using veneers or facades lessens the weight that bricks are supposed to support, it also increases the walls' susceptibility to wind pressures. When a building's load-bearing structures are connected to the brick veneer using brick ties, some of the wind pressure is distributed to the entire system, keeping the bricks in place and minimising flex damage. A structural brick wall, made of multiple layers of interlocking bricks, does not require support from an inner structure.

Building Standards For Brick Ties

Brick ties must be used when erecting any single-layer brick wall, as specified by numerous municipal and national building codes. Systems like this are susceptible to damage from weather, earthquakes, and shifting foundations if left unsupported. Brick ties are a typical addition to modern bricklaying projects since they are significantly less expensive and more straightforward to execute than an unsupported structural brick wall.

Common Types of Brick Ties in Construction

For brick masonry wall systems, various wall tie solutions are available.

Red Wall Ties

Easy to spot and even easier to install, red wall ties reinforce brick and block walls when embedded in cement mortar. As a connection between walls, they permit in-plane movement to accommodate differential activity in built-up brick/block walls. Offering enhanced corrosion resistance thanks to the 470g/m2 heavily galvanised wire and a high zinc coating with a lifetime rating of up to fifty years, these brick wall ties for brick veneer are compliant with Australian Standards.

Stubby Brick Ties (L-Shaped)

When inserted in cement mortar, galvanised tie stubbies reinforce brick and block walls. These galvanised ‘Face Fixing Venner Ties’ connect walls, allowing for movement within the plane to accommodate changes in built-up brick or block walls. They are also resistant to corrosion.

Expansion Ties

The installation of masonry wall expansion gaps is simplified by using wall expansion ties. The innovative shape provides optimum grip in the hard yet brittle mortar while maintaining a correct control gap, which is crucial in brick construction.

Ordering Your Construction Supplies

Now that you have a basic understanding of the most commonly used brick ties in construction, it’s time to reach out to your local building supplier for all your hardware and material needs. Purchase high-quality brick ties and wall ties to link your blockwork and masonry walls for your next project.