| asonry is the process of constructing a building from | | | | one surface with a ceramic finish that is sanitary and |
| individual bricks laid in a specific pattern and bound | | | | easy to clean, making it popular in hospitals and |
| together, usually by mortar. Occasionally, the term is | | | | laboratories. |
| also used to refer to the brick units themselves. | | | | Masonry is the building of structures from individual |
| Masonry is considered a durable construction method, | | | | units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term |
| and brick is one of the most common types of | | | | masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The |
| masonry used in industrialized nations. The strength | | | | common materials of masonry construction are brick, |
| of a brick masonry structure depends on the type | | | | stone such as marble, granite, travertine, limestone; |
| and uniformity of the individual bricks selected, as well | | | | concrete block, glass block, and tile. Masonry is |
| as the style of masonry used. | | | | commonly used for the walls of buildings, retaining |
| Bricks are made in a range of varieties, each intended | | | | walls and monuments. Brick and concrete block are |
| for a specific purpose, but all are created from some | | | | the most common types of masonry in use in |
| combination of sand, water, clay, and heat. Building | | | | industrialized nations and may be either |
| brick, or common brick, is used in construction and is | | | | weight-bearing or a veneer. Concrete blocks, |
| often "cored" with two rows of holes to save | | | | especially those with hollow cores, offer various |
| material and reduce weight. Face brick is chosen for | | | | possibilities in masonry construction. They generally |
| visible surfaces or exposed walls and comes in | | | | provide great compressive strength, and are best |
| different colors, sizes, and shapes. Firebrick is made | | | | suited to structures with light transverse loading |
| with special clay to offer additional heat resistance in | | | | when the cores remain unfilled. |
| fireplaces or boiler rooms. Glazed brick is coated on | | | | |