The shift refers to the offset arrangement of building materials, such as bricks, blocks, or boards, so that the vertical seams do not align. By overlapping the units, the wall or floor gains structural integrity and distributes loads evenly. Without a proper shift, a continuous vertical joint would create a weak line prone to cracking and failure.
Heard on the job
Make sure you maintain a half-brick shift on this course so we don't end up with a straight vertical seam.
Also heard as
- bond offset
- stagger