6 Brick Bond Patterns in Ontario Homes (And Why They Matter for Repairs)

Ever seen a brick repair that sticks out like a sore thumb? New bricks that don't quite match, mortar that's the wrong colour, or worse—a patch that looks like it belongs on a different house entirely.

Here's what most homeowners don't realize: the pattern on your house isn't random. It tells you when your home was built. And it affects how much repairs will cost.

A 1920s Cabbagetown Victorian with Flemish bond? That's specialist work. A 1970s Scarborough split-level with running bond? Much simpler. Not better or worse—just different approaches for different patterns.

This guide will help you identify what you're looking at before you call for quotes. You'll know what questions to ask. And you'll understand why one estimate for brick repair might be higher than another.

What Is a Brick Bond Pattern?

Think of it as the arrangement—how bricks are laid in relation to each other.

Every brick has two orientations: stretcher (long side visible) and header (short end visible). The pattern comes from how these are mixed and staggered across courses.

Why does it matter? Two reasons.

First, structure. In older solid masonry walls, headers actually tie the front and back layers together. They're not just decorative—they're doing work. The Brick Industry Association documents how different bond patterns affect wall strength and weather resistance.

Second, appearance. Get the pattern wrong during repairs and it's obvious. You'll see it every time you pull in the driveway.

Modern homes mostly use brick veneer—a single layer attached with metal ties. Pattern is decorative. But on older solid masonry? It's both structural and aesthetic. That distinction matters when repairs are needed.

The 6 Most Common Brick Patterns in Ontario Homes

Running Bond (Stretcher Bond)

This is the one you'll see most often. All stretchers, each row staggered by half a brick.

Walk through any post-1950 subdivision—Mississauga, Brampton, Markham—and running bond is everywhere. It's simple. Economical. Easy to lay, easy to repair.

If you only see long rectangles staggered like a running track, that's running bond.

Why it matters for repairs: Straightforward. A skilled mason can replace damaged brick and match the pattern without much fuss. The mortar colour matching is usually the bigger challenge.

Common Bond (American Bond)

Running bond with a twist. Every 5 to 7 rows, you'll see a course of headers—short ends facing out.

This pattern shows up in Ontario homes from roughly 1900 to 1940. Those header courses aren't just decoration. In solid masonry construction, they actually tie the front and back wall layers together.

Why it matters for repairs: You need to match that header course interval. Miss it by one row and it's noticeable. But it's not as complex as Flemish or English bond.

Flemish Bond

Here's where things get interesting.

Flemish bond alternates headers and stretchers in every single course. Every row has that alternating pattern. It creates a distinctive woven appearance that you'll see on Victorian-era homes throughout Toronto, Hamilton, and older Ontario towns.

Common in pre-1930 Ontario homes. Labour-intensive to lay, which is partly why it fell out of fashion. But it's beautiful work.

One project that comes to mind: we matched brick on a 120-year-old home so well the homeowner couldn't find the seam afterward. "They matched our brick perfectly, you can't even tell where the old part ends and the new part starts," Bridget C. told us.

Why it matters for repairs: Every course needs both headers and stretchers placed correctly. That takes more time and skill. Expect repairs to cost 20-40% more than running bond work.

English Bond

If Flemish alternates within each row, English alternates by row. One full course of headers. Then one full course of stretchers. Repeat.

This is traditionally considered the strongest pattern. You'll see it on older institutional buildings—schools, churches, government buildings—and on heritage homes built to last.

Why it matters for repairs: Same challenge as Flemish. You need headers cut and placed correctly, matching the original coursing. It's skilled work.

Stack Bond

All vertical joints line up. No stagger.

This isn't structural—it's purely decorative. You'll see it on mid-century modern homes from the 1950s and 60s, often on feature walls or accent sections.

Stack bond relies entirely on the mortar and metal ties for strength. The pattern itself provides no interlocking. That's fine for veneer, but it means repairs need careful attention to joint integrity.

Why it matters for repairs: The aligned joints mean water has a more direct path if mortar fails. Keep an eye on joint condition more closely than with staggered patterns.

Herringbone

A zigzag pattern, usually at 45 or 90 degrees. You won't see this on walls much—it's more common in patios, walkways, and decorative accent panels.

Why it matters for repairs: Cutting bricks at angles takes time. If you have herringbone on a porch or walkway that needs work, expect it to cost more than standard rectangular patterns.

How to Identify Your Brick Pattern in 60 Seconds

Stand back from your wall. Eye level works best.

Step 1: Look at the bricks. Do you only see long rectangles? That's probably running bond.

Step 2: If you see some short ends (squares), count how often they appear. Every row? That's likely Flemish or English. Every 5-7 rows? Probably common bond.

Step 3: In rows with short ends, do headers and stretchers alternate within the row? That's Flemish. Is the whole row headers? English.

Step 4: Check if vertical joints line up. If they do, you might have stack bond.

That's it. You now know more about your brick pattern than most homeowners ever will.

Why Your Brick Pattern Matters for Repairs

Pattern determines complexity. Complexity determines time. Time determines cost.

Running bond is straightforward. Remove damaged brick, cut replacement to size, set it in place. An experienced mason handles this routinely.

Flemish and English bonds? Different story. Each repair section needs headers and stretchers placed in the correct pattern. Headers need cutting to the right size. Everything needs to match the original coursing exactly.

This isn't about skill being lacking—it's about time. Pattern matching on heritage brick simply takes longer.

"Thankfully were able to match my brick perfectly! Also repaired foundation stones... made sure the colour matched well," Lisa T. shared about her project. That matching takes expertise.

Here's the honest truth: if you get quotes that vary significantly, pattern complexity might be why. A mason who understands Flemish bond and prices accordingly isn't overcharging—they're accounting for the work involved.

Heritage Homes and Pattern Matching in Ontario

Does your home have heritage designation? That changes things.

Some municipalities require exterior work to match original materials and patterns. That means lime mortar instead of Portland cement in some cases. Period-appropriate brick matching through heritage restoration specialists. Sometimes even approval from a heritage committee before work begins.

Heritage districts in Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston, Ottawa, and smaller towns often have specific requirements. If you're in a designated area, check before getting quotes. A mason needs to know those constraints upfront.

Even without formal designation, many homeowners want repairs that respect the original character. A 1890s house deserves better than obviously mismatched modern brick slapped on during repairs.

The Ontario Heritage Act provides framework for this, though requirements vary by municipality. When in doubt, call your local planning department.

When to Call a Professional

Get help if:

• You have Flemish, English, or unusual bond patterns
• Your home is heritage-designated
• Previous repairs didn't match well (and you want to fix that)
• You need mortar colour matching along with brick work
• You're not sure what you're looking at

You might handle it yourself if:

• Single damaged brick in running bond
• Non-visible area (back of garage, for instance)
• You already have matching brick on hand
• Small mortar touch-ups only

What a professional assessment includes:

• Pattern identification
• Brick matching and sourcing
• Mortar colour analysis
• Heritage considerations if applicable
• Clear scope of work

What Happens If You Wait?

Single damaged bricks don't stay single for long.

Water gets into the damaged area. Freeze-thaw cycles expand cracks. One winter becomes two, then three. What started as one brick becomes a section.

We're not trying to scare you into calling tomorrow. But there's a real difference between catching damage early and waiting until it spreads. A small brick repair now costs less than a major restoration later.

The pattern you identified earlier? That factors into timing too. Running bond repairs are straightforward whenever you're ready. Complex patterns might need more scheduling flexibility—finding a mason with heritage experience, sourcing matching brick, allowing time for proper work. Schedule an assessment to understand your options.

Ready for an Assessment?

If you're seeing damaged brick, crumbling mortar, or repairs that don't quite match, a quick look can tell you what you're dealing with.

"They replaced crumbling and cracked bricks... I'm very happy with the results, it really looks great," Daniel R. shared after his project wrapped up.

Request a free assessment and we'll identify your pattern, match your brick and mortar, and give you a clear quote for the work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common brick bond patterns?

The six most common are running bond, common bond, Flemish bond, English bond, stack bond, and herringbone. Running bond dominates post-1950 Ontario construction. You'll see Flemish and English bonds on older heritage homes.

What is running bond brick?

Running bond (also called stretcher bond) shows only the long side of each brick. Each row staggers by half a brick. It's simple, economical, and by far the easiest to repair.

How do I identify my brick bond pattern?

Look at your wall at eye level. Only long rectangles, staggered? Running bond. Short ends mixed in every row? Likely Flemish or English. Short ends every 5-7 rows? Common bond. Vertical joints aligned? Stack bond.

Why does brick pattern matter for repairs?

Pattern affects complexity and time. Running bond repairs are straightforward. Flemish and English bonds require matching headers and stretchers correctly—that takes more skill and longer hours.

What is the strongest brick bond?

English bond is traditionally the strongest because of its interlocking header and stretcher courses. But for modern veneer construction, running bond with metal ties provides plenty of structural support.

What's the difference between Flemish and English bond?

Flemish bond alternates headers and stretchers within every single course. English bond alternates entire courses—one row all headers, next row all stretchers.

Can you match any brick pattern for repairs?

Yes. Skilled masons match any pattern, including homes over 100 years old. Flemish and English bonds require more expertise and time, which affects cost. But matching is absolutely possible.

What brick patterns are common in Ontario heritage homes?

Pre-1930 Ontario homes often feature Flemish or English bond. These patterns were standard before running bond became dominant in post-war suburban construction.

Do I need a permit to repair heritage brick?

It depends on your municipality and designation status. Some designated properties require approval for exterior changes. Check with your local heritage committee or planning department before starting work.

How much more does pattern matching cost?

Flemish or English bond repairs typically cost 20-40% more than running bond work. The difference is labour—cutting headers correctly and placing them in pattern takes more time.