Sacked brick refers to a brick wall finish where the mortar is intentionally spread or smeared across the face of the bricks using a technique called "sacking."
Understanding the Sacking Process
The term "sacked brick" describes a brick surface treated with a specific mortar finish. This finish is achieved through a technique known as sacking.
According to the provided reference, "Sacking" is:
- Timing: Done by the mason before the mortar is dry.
- Method: The wall is not cleaned in the traditional sense but is simply brushed with a potato sack.
- Goal: To achieve a desired coverage of mortar over the brick faces.
This brushing action partially smears the still-wet mortar from the joints across the adjacent brick surfaces.
Appearance and Variation
The final look of sacked brick can vary significantly depending on how the sacking is performed.
- Heavy Coat: Shows more cement/mortar on the brick surface, potentially obscuring much of the brick face.
- Light Coat: Results in less mortar smeared across the bricks, allowing more of the brick texture and color to show through while still creating a softened, aged appearance.
Essentially, sacked brick is a textural and aesthetic finish applied to a brick wall using a simple tool (like a sack) while the mortar is still pliable. It provides an alternative to clean mortar joints and can give a wall a rustic, vintage, or weathered look.
