In the article we will tell you how to make a brick arch yourself. Perhaps you have thought about how to slightly transform the look of your home. And if you turn to architects for help, they can offer you a good option - to install brick arches on windows and doorways. Please note that most of the luxury mansions are built using such structural elements.
They can emphasize the status of the owner, decorate the facade of the house. It is also worth noting that this pleasure is not very expensive - even an ordinary citizen can make an arched vault, you just need to know the features of the work.
Types of arches
Before you make a brick arch with your own hands, you need to consider several types of designs. When we talk about arched vaults, it is necessary to specify the specific type. The fact is that there are many varieties, they are all individual and unique in their own way. Consequently, these vaults are also laid out indifferent.
An arched vault is a semicircle that is located in a window or doorway between vertical bases. Usually, the walls of a building or structure are used as vertical foundations. In total, there are 3 types of arched vaults, and we will try to consider them in a little more detail.
Full arches
The first thing to mention is the full arch. This is one of the most sought after varieties. There are several reasons for this. About this type of arch, we can say that it is quite simple, while reflecting the good taste of the owners of the house. The arch is made in the form of a semicircle. And most importantly - if you chose this version of the arch, then you can make it yourself without any problems.
Rectangular arches
The second version of the design is a rectangular or, as they are also called, wedge. But it’s quite difficult to do it yourself, without experience. Therefore, this design will not be a good choice for a novice builder. Even if you do almost everything yourself, you will find a lot of tips and advice from experts.
All the same, it is unlikely that such an arch will be beautiful and of high quality. You need to fill your hand, gain experience in order to lay down a brick arch that will last for decades. Outwardly, the design, laid out with high quality, looks very nice, similar to the Russian letter P.
The last thing to mention is the bow arch. The vault has the shape of an underestimated semicircle.
Choosing the type of arch
BeforeBefore choosing the design option that you want to implement in your home, you need to mention some of the nuances. For example, the distance between two columns must be taken into account. Please note that it is quite difficult to make a rectangular type arch if the opening is very wide. If there is a distance of more than 1 m between the supports, the structure will not have high strength.
For bow structures, it is allowed to use supports, the distance between which is more than a meter. Such a structure can be erected between columns located at a distance of 1–1.5 m from each other. In the same case, if the supporting elements are located at a distance of more than 2 m from each other, it is best to use a full arch. It is recommended to consult with specialists before starting work.
Preparatory work
Before starting work, you need to decide on the location of the arch. In this case, we will consider the construction of an arched vault from scratch. When the house is still under construction. Therefore, we will start with the construction of columns for supports.
But there are also cases when homeowners make new passages, building arches in them. In this case, you must first punch the openings themselves in the brick walls. Regardless of which option you choose, the first step is to carry out masonry, as well as strengthening the columns. The supports should be especially carefully strengthened if the distance between them is more than 1 m. In this case, the loadincreases significantly, so you need to lay out the support posts to a thickness of at least 2 bricks. Photos of brick arches in the interior of the house are presented in our article.
What else to consider?
Be sure to note that warps between bricks on both racks are not allowed. All rows of masonry must be controlled with a level. As soon as you get to the beginning of the laying of the vault, you need to pay attention to some tricks. For example, it is necessary to prepare a template from a tree with which the vault is laid.
Moreover, this template will have to be kept in the structure until the cement mortar sets. Let's look at how to make a supporting wooden structure. You also need to pay attention to the consistency of the cement mortar. It should be thick, if you use liquid, then the masonry of the brick arch will become unusable, as it will collapse under its own weight.
Template made of wood
If you lay out the arch yourself, this template is simply indispensable. In order to make it, you need the desire and the necessary materials. First you need to take two sheets of particle board. This is the basis for the arch pattern. From these sheets, you will need to cut out two completely identical semicircles that will exactly follow the contours of the future arch. Once you have the sheets ready, you need to find a board whose width is the same as the thickness of the support. However, thinner boards can also be used.
On thisboard, you need to fix the chipboard templates with nails. In order to achieve high rigidity, it is necessary to install several wooden blocks between the sheets. And instead of nails, you can use wood screws. From above it is desirable to install a steel strip. It is necessary to choose such a thickness of the metal so that the bricks that will be located on top do not push through it.
Usually, a strip of steel with a thickness of 0.6–0.8 mm is enough. The wooden template must be fixed between the supports. To do this, you need to use wooden spacers. They, like the template, will be removed after the solution has completely solidified. The thickness of the spacers should be about 10 cm, and the distance between adjacent ones should be at least 50 cm.
How to lay out the arch?
So the moment has come when you can proceed directly to the laying of the arched vault. Before you start laying the first bricks, you need to master one simple rule. All work must be done in one go. The slightest interruption should not be allowed, as the solution will dry out and lose its qualities. When dry, the solution begins to stretch the entire structure in different directions, as it were, creating tension.
Therefore, if suddenly the laying will be done within a few days, you should not expect high quality from it. It will start to crack as a result. Laying should begin simultaneously from both sides of the template, gradually approaching its central axis. The brick, which is installed last in the center, will perform the functionscastle.
What should I pay attention to when laying?
Please note that such recommendations will be useful in the construction of any version of the arched vault, whichever you choose. Bricks must be installed at the same angle relative to each other. It is with this moment in mind that the arched vault is created.
To greatly simplify the process, you need to make markup on the template. When laying bricks, be sure to use a square to maintain the same distance.
