Today I wanted to do something fun, so I decided to build a brick arch. It seems like a pretty cool project, and I’ve always liked how those arches look. I didn’t have a solid plan, just a general idea, so I thought I’d just wing it and see how it goes.
First things first, I had to make sure the base was good. I mean, you can’t just start stacking bricks willy-nilly, right? The base needs to be solid and level, otherwise, the whole thing might come crashing down. I used a level to check if everything was even. It took some time, but I finally got it right. It is important to have a stable base. That’s the key!
Once the base was sorted, I started thinking about the bricks themselves. I remember reading somewhere that you can use either those fancy wedge-shaped bricks or just regular ones. I only had regular bricks on hand, so that’s what I went with. It made the whole thing feel a bit more, I don’t know, rustic?
- Gather the materials: I grabbed all my bricks, some mortar mix, a trowel, a level, and a few other tools I thought might come in handy. I also set up a couple of wooden supports to help hold the arch shape while the mortar dried.
- Mix the mortar: I followed the instructions on the bag. It’s a messy job, but it’s kinda fun to see the dry powder turn into a sticky paste. Make sure you get it to the right consistency. It is important to use a strong mortar.
- Start laying bricks: I started at the bottom, putting a layer of mortar and then placing the bricks on top. I worked my way up, following the curve of the wooden supports. It was a bit tricky to keep the bricks in place, especially as I got higher. I had to work quickly before the mortar started to set.
- Fill in the gaps: Once all the bricks were in place, I used the trowel to fill in any gaps with more mortar. I wanted to make sure everything was nice and solid. I also smoothed out the joints to make it look a bit neater.
The hard part was keeping the bricks from falling while the mortar was drying. I used some wood pieces to make a temporary support, and it seemed to work okay. But I was still nervous the whole time, checking every few minutes to make sure nothing had shifted.
The Final Result
After a lot of sweat and a few close calls, I finally finished the arch. It wasn’t perfect, but I was pretty proud of it. I think it looks cool. It’s got that handmade, “I did this myself” kind of vibe. I might even try building another one sometime, maybe with a different design. But for now, I’m just happy to admire my handiwork.
