Bond is a masonry/construction term that indicates the uniform arrangement of bricks/blocks to build a wall or a structure. These bonds ensure the strength, stability, appearance, and aesthetic properties of the structure. There are different types of bonds in masonry, each with its unique characteristics, properties, and applications. Among the different bonds, one fundamental bond is the header bond. In this blog, we take a look at what header bond is, its properties, pros, cons, and applications.
What is a Header Bond?
In brick masonry, the header is the shorter square face of the brick (4.5”x3”). In header bonds, bricks are laid as headers on the faces of the walls. As bricks are laid with the shorter side forming the face, this gives the full brick thickness to the wall (9”). In general, the overlapping bricks are kept equal to half the brick’s width. Three-quarter brickbats are used in alternative courses (quoins) to achieve the right alignment of the bricks.
Applications of a Header Bond
- Header bonds are used to construct thicker walls with a minimum thickness of around 9 inches.
- Cavity walls and partition walls can be built using the header bond.
- Header bonds can be used to lay the footings in the foundation for better distribution of loads.
- These bonds can be used to improve the visual appearance for aesthetic purposes.
- Ideal for constructing curved and round architectural structures.
- Construction of non-load-bearing walls, garden walls, and partition walls can be done.
Properties of Header Bonds
Visible Short Heads
Small heads of the bricks are visible on both sides of the structure, as they are laid on the face of the structure. These shorter heads are visible on both sides of the wall and can be used as design elements in non-plastered structures.
Quoins
Two three-quarter brickbats (3/4 bricks) are used in alternative courses as quoins. These are used in the edges, to create a bond and prevent the wall from collapsing if the bricks bond are arranged one over the other.
Thickness
The thickness of the wall that is built using header bond, will have a full brick thickness (around 9 inches), which is double the width of the stretcher bond.
Overlapping
The bricks that are laid one over the other are kept more than or equal to half the width of the lower brick head. This is to avoid stacking the bricks over others, which will cause poor structural integrity.
Stability
The arrangement of bricks in a header bond adds more pressure to the length of the structure and makes it less stable.
How to Construct Header Bonds?
- Prepare the mortar, by blending cement, sand, or other adhesives with the appropriate amount of water.
- Blend all the raw materials into a mixture that is suitable for binding the bricks together.
- Obtain the bricks necessary for the Masonry construction of the structure, (by choosing the right bricks and calculating the number of bricks required).
- Put some cement mortar on the ground surface with the right consistency, before placing the first layer of bricks.
- The bricks are placed over the cement mortar, with a shorter square head (4.5”x3”) as the face.
- Arrange all the bricks in the same alignment until the first row of bricks is placed with small gaps for mortar to bind them.
- Use a spirit level or bob to check whether the angle is accurately 90 degrees.
- Put some mortar over the first layer of brick and place bricks over it, in half of the width of the underlying brick.
- A 3/4 brickbat should be used as a quoin closer, on alternate layers, to help the correct arrangement of bricks.
Header Bond Cost per Sq Ft in India
In a header bond, bricks are laid so their short faces (headers) are exposed, which often costs about 5–10% more than a regular stretcher bond due to extra labour for proper alignment and sometimes increased mortar use.
Header bond cost per sq ft depends on the quality of materials, labour charges, and the construction site’s location.
Header Bond Cost Per Sq Ft: Breakdown
- Material Cost: For 9-inch thick walls using standard clay bricks or concrete blocks, material cost alone is around ₹50–₹65 per sq ft.
- Labour Charges: Skilled masonry for header bond is typically ₹80–₹120 per sq ft in metro areas, with increased rates due to alignment and extra joints.
- Total Cost: Adding mortar, scaffolding, curing, site overhead, and supervision, the all-inclusive rate ranges from ₹220 to ₹300 per sq ft for header bond brickwork in 2025, with premium projects (high-strength blocks or speciality mortars) going higher.
The typical header bond cost per sq ft in India (2025) is thus approximately ₹220–₹300.
Header Bond vs. English Bond vs. Flemish Bond
The following comparison table gives the difference between the header bond, English bond, and Flemish bond:
| Feature | Header Bond | English Bond | Flemish Bond |
| Brick Position | All headers (short face exposed) | Alternate courses of headers and stretchers | Alternate headers and stretchers in each course |
| Wall Thickness | Full brick thick (9″) | Usually 1.5 bricks or more | Typically 1 brick thick |
| Strength | Moderate | Strongest load-bearing bond | Weaker than English bond |
| Appearance | Uniform head face | Less aesthetic | More decorative and uniform |
| Labour Skill | Moderate | Easy to medium | Requires skilled labour |
| Use | Thick walls, curved walls | Load-bearing walls | Decorative walls, facades |
Pros & Cons of Header Bonds
Pros
- Header bonds provide good thickness to the walls, compared to other bonds.
- These bonds are easy to construct and do not require skilled labour.
- Header bonds are not only used for constructing walls but also for decoration purposes and layering the garden.
- These bonds are ideal for circular or curvy design structures.
Cons
- These bonds have low strength and are less stable, so they cannot be used for load-bearing structures.
- As headers are aligned on the face parallel to the wall, the pressure on the structure is delivered along the length of the wall, which can collapse the structure easily.
- These bonds are not recommended for very long straight walls, as they have less stability and strength.
Conclusion
Header bond is a type of brick masonry that is used to erect walls and other non-load-bearing structures. Although they are thick enough, the arrangement of bricks lacks load-bearing capacity and durability. They cannot be used for load-carrying structures; however, they are used for building partition walls, cavity walls, curved finishes, and garden walls. Will you be considering header bonds for your dream house? Need an Expert Masonry Contractor? Get a free project quote today with the Brick & Bolt construction firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a header bond in brick masonry?
In header bonds, bricks are laid as headers on the faces of the walls. The bricks are laid with the shorter side forming the face to provide full brick thickness to the wall.
How to construct a header bond?
To construct a header bond, first prepare mortar with the correct cement-sand-water mix, then lay the first row of bricks with their short faces (headers) exposed, ensuring they are level using a spirit level. Subsequent courses are laid so that each brick overlaps half the length of the brick below, with three-quarter brickbats placed at corners on alternate rows to maintain bond. Finally, fill all joints with mortar, check alignment regularly, and clean tools and materials after work completion.
What is the difference between header bond and Flemish bond?
In a header bond, all bricks are laid as headers (short face visible) perpendicular to the wall face. On the other hand, for Flemish bond, each course has alternate headers and stretchers.
What is a header or bond course?
A header course (or bond course) is a horizontal layer of bricks in which all bricks are laid with their shorter ends (headers) facing the wall surface. This course helps to bind the outer facing masonry to the inner backing masonry, providing strength and stability to the wall. Header courses are typically used at intervals to improve the bond and structural integrity between layers of masonry units.
What are the advantages of a header bond?
Header bond brickwork offers durability, ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of the building. With proper construction, it can withstand external forces and weather conditions. Also, it creates a unique aesthetic for the wall facade.
Apoorva H P Achar