Question on construction methods

[mattice]

We're just replacing our front door and in the process whipped out the frame. It gave me my first insight into what I thought was our solid flemmish bond walls. Every 6 courses there's a piece of timber running the length of the wall, half of the walls' thickness. Can anyone enlighten me on this type of construction? I've done some searching but clearly not using the right terms :? Thanks.

 

[Zebra]

Are you sure it runs the whole length of the wall? Could it be some pieces of timber which were originally set into the brickwork around the door to affix the door frame to?

 

[mattice]

It seems to go 6ft to the window, not sure about the rest without causing more destruction, but you could well be correct. Thanks, M

 

[Penners]

They might be "grounds" to which fittings are affixed. Grounds were set into walls for fixing dados, skirtings, framing and suchlike, before the arrival of reliable methods of fixing such as rag bolts, wall plugs, etc. So I think Zebra may well be correct.

 

[Flyfisher]

Sounds quite likely, and if it stretched as far as the window it would have provided fixing points for that frame as well.