Abstract: A support panel comprising a plate including a face, at least one row of support tabs and at least one row of L-shaped fingers. The at least one row of L-shaped fingers are located above at least one of the at least one row of support tabs. The L-shaped fingers include a first portion and a second portion defining the L-shape of the L-shaped fingers. A tile can be placed on at least one of the tabs and maintained in position by the second portion of at least one of the L-shaped fingers. Alternatively, the plate could include at least one row of upwardly and outwardly angled tongues for insertion into at least one angled slot in a rear face of a tile to maintain the tiles in position adjacent a front of the plate.

Abstract: A masonry/brick support structure is adapted for secure positioning upon a substructure such as a wall and includes a sheet metal underlayer or panel having a plurality of tabs punched therein and extending outward from a first side thereof. Also positioned on the first side of the sheet metal panel are adhesive strips for permanently affixing bricks to the panel's first, or outer, side with the bricks positioned in a given spaced array on the panel by the tabs extending therefrom. The tabs may be incorporated in the sheet metal panel in virtually any array to allow for a wide range of brick shapes and dimensions as well as various brick alignment arrangements. The tabs provide support for the bricks when initially positioned upon the panel. Mortar or grout is positioned in the inter-brick spaces and over the tabs which are thus no longer visible.