Feb 1, 2019 · Star bolts (and other shapes) are a common engineering retrofit, running through the brick and connecting facades to the joists behind the brick to stabilize things. Sometimes, bulged bricks need to be pushed back into place first, depending on the extent of the issue.

Sep 22, 2024 · Those star-shaped washers – often seen on old brick buildings – are actually wall retainers, part of a clever system used to keep aging structures from bowing out and collapsing. Back in the day, especially in towns where brick was king, these retainers were essential in stabilizing the walls of homes and businesses alike.

Nov 1, 2018 · To improve the distribution of pressure on the brick masonry and better brace the wall, a star shape is used. The star shape also serves to increase the visual appeal of the anchor. While the star is actually a washer in this arrangement, the entire assembly is often referred to …

Oct 30, 2016 · Tie rods have good tensile strength and bad compression strength whereas masonry has good compression strength and bad tensile strength. Like reinforced concrete, they can be used together to produce a much stronger building. I have a …

To understand why star bolts are sometimes needed in older homes, we’ll explore the basics of rowhome construction. Rowhomes are built by connecting wooden joists between the side walls (also known as party walls).

Feb 8, 2011 · Star bolts can be used to effectively re-secure loose or bowing wall back to the original state. These metal stars are often seen on historic homes throughout the area, and are functional, not decorative (although they are attractive and interesting features).

To improve the distribution of pressure on the brick masonry and better brace the wall, a star shape is used. The star shape also serves to increase the visual appeal of the anchor....

Jan 28, 2024 · Have you ever seen a metal symbol, perhaps one in a S, X, or star shape, on the outside of an old brick building? Discover what this is and what it's used for.

I've searched for house ornaments and found only the metal stars found on some barns. Maybe there's a better term to describe this shape, but I haven't found what it is on Google, and an image search gets confused by the brick since the ornament is rather small on the wall.

The stars are in effect giant washers. They are there to keep long metal bolts from slipping through the bricks. This method of running a long bolt through the house and securing it at the ends is a way of keeping old brick buildings from swaying and crumbling.