Decorative Ways to Brick in a Window

Herringbone Pattern

• Every brick consists of a stretcher side and a header side. The header side is the shorter side that you typically do not see because the brick ends butt up against each other. The stretcher side is the larger and longer side. The herringbone pattern makes use of the stretcher side in a decorative fashion. Each brick sits at an angle with two bricks forming a “V” shape. The installer lays two bricks in a “V” shape beside each other, adds mortar to the top and adds more bricks, recreating the “V” shape. The finished design looks like the herringbone jewelry pattern.

Basket Weave Design

• The basket weave pattern or design also uses the stretcher side of the bricks for a more decorative design. The installer lays down a layer of mortar and stacks two bricks side-by-side horizontally. The installer adds more mortar to the sides and top. On the side, he lays two bricks vertically and places vertical bricks above the horizontal ones. The design features a checkerboard pattern, alternating between horizontal and vertical bricks.

Running Board

• The running board has a decorative design because it switches the way bricks usually sit. Instead of arranging the bricks horizontally across the window, the installer arranges the bricks in a vertical fashion. The installer places mortar on the window and sits the short end of the brick flat against the window with the stretcher side facing the eye. The next series of bricks uses a smaller piece at the bottom, which keeps the bricks from sitting flush against each other.

Other Designs

• Running bond brick uses the stretcher side of bricks arranged around the window and stacked on top of each other. If you want a more decorative look, then choose common bond. Common bond uses five rows of bricks placed on the stretcher side and a sixth row using the header side. Depending on the finished look you want, you might opt for alternating rows of header and stretcher bricks or use a row of header bond followed by a row of stretcher.