Where should a movement joint be installed in a brick veneer structure?

A movement joint in a brick veneer structure is primarily installed at points of support provided by different structural components. This is crucial because the materials in the wall, such as brick and the underlying frame, can expand and contract differently due to temperature changes, moisture levels, and settled stresses. By placing movement joints at points where the structural support changes, such as at the connections between walls and foundations or where walls intersect with different materials, any movement can be accommodated without causing cracking or structural failure.

In contrast, installing movement joints at fixed intervals along the wall, just at the top, or only above windows and doors can lead to inadequate handling of the stresses present in a brick veneer structure. The function of the movement joint is to provide a gap that allows for movement, and it must be strategically located where stresses are likely to accumulate due to the inherent properties of the materials involved.