If you are new to the world of masonry but trying to learn more, we have something pretty special for you today. One of the most exciting things about learning a new craft or skill like masonry is that each day you learn something new, that makes sense given the other new knowledge which you have amassed. We are sure that most of you head to a trade supplier now, understanding many more products than ever before.
In particular, we are going to focus on a critical accessory to any masonry job, and that is ties. Masonry ties are used for all manner of jobs, but you need to ensure that you have a clear idea as to what kind of ties you need, depending on the job. To support you in this here, are the most commonly used ties that we see in masonry projects.
Brick Ties
Brick ties are the most common types of tie which are used in construction, and they are usually made from metal, plastic, or braided wire. Simply put, brick ties are used to connect an exterior and an interior wall, for additional support. Usually, these ties connect to load-bearing walls across a small cavity.
Frame Ties
Frame ties operate much in the same way as brick ties, in that they connect two leaves of blockwork. Frame ties are almost always made from stainless steel, to prevent corrosion in the future. Frame cramps/ties can also be used to connect brickwork to metal structures.
Veneer Ties
Whilst veneer ties do support two structures, they are primarily used to transfer weight loads between two points. Within the world of masonry, they are used to protect the side of a structure which is likely to be exposed to wind or seismic disruption. Veneer ties are corrugated in order to transfer the load from one point to another.
Alligator Ties
Alligator tiles are relatively new in terms of their invention, created by Australian building firm Abey. Alligator ties are excellent in the tying of brick or Hebel walls to concrete ceilings or steel structures. We have also seen these ties used in the connection of new walls to old walls. These are highly versatile and an important tie for anyone carrying out some masonry work to have in their bag.
Expansion Ties
Expansion ties are, as the name suggests, ties that can be altered depending on the exact distance you require between two walls. The reason why these are so successful and widely used is that they allow anyone working with them to ensure absolute precision regarding the distance between the masonry gap. The design of the expansion tie allows for control between 10-20mm, which is more than enough for most gaps within masonry projects. This is another relatively new product to the market but such has been the success people have had with them, they are becoming far more widely used.
Make sure that you have a clear understanding of masonry ties before you commence a job so that you will be able to select the perfect option to give you the finish that you need.
