How to glue 2 bricks together

2 or 3 weeks later…. Here is an update on my project. I attach 5 pics to illustrate.

Pic 1: I decided to use “blocks” on the pillars, anchored on metal rods. The rods are hammered into 1 1/2 inch holes (about) that were drilled in the pillars (with a bit of chipping off here and there, but nothing that could not be easily repaired with cement later on).These are the standard grey “blocks” found everywhere in Thailand – as can be seen lying on the wall, ready to be put in place.

Pic 2: Away from the pillars, I used red bricks. At the ends of each bricked up section, where the wall is interrupted by the “decorative bars”, the bricks were cemented on to metal rods that were welded onto the metal frame of the “decorative bars”.

Pic 3: The resulting wall addition : grey blocks on the pillars, red bricks away from the pillars.

Pic 4: To add further strength to the blocks, I bricked them up – making use of the space still available on the pillars.

Pic 5: A view from the street side. As I was working with a local handyman, there was a bit of variation in the work. On the left side, sets of 2 bricks were used (glued together beforehand using Bestbond glue). On the right side, single red bricks. Nothing wrong with a bit of inconsistency, it adds charm to the construction! ????As for the segments with the “decorative bars”, I screwed in acrylic sheets (3mm thick). I had to leave space open across the “golden spires” because they protrude either side of the frame.

I forgot to mention that we mixed a bit of bonding product (TOA) with the cement. I liked the cement texture that way, it’s easier to use I find and it is supposed to give extra strength to the cement.

This gives a good idea of what I managed to make. It’s not finished yet, I need to think of the “cosmetics”, i.e. rendering with cement and eventually painting up like the existing wall underneath. I think that 1) the construction is very solid – no risk to get knocked over by strong winds; 2) it ends up being pleasant enough to the eye; and 3) it will not completely protect the house from the heat of the sun (but my wife is already pleased with the extra shadow ????), nor completely protect the house from the rain (but it will stop some of it for sure!).