Explaining the Different Brick Pointing Styles Used in UK Bricks
When choosing the right type of brick to use for a commercial building project, it’s quite easy to overlook the mortar joints. We’ve created this short guide to explain what they are, what different types there are and why you should pay close attention to joints as well as the building bricks you want.
Luckily, as brick suppliers with an extensive, trusted network of worldwide brick manufacturers, Modular Clay Products can help you in anything, from just providing general advice to sourcing facing brick samples with the colour, texture and consistency that you’re after. So don’t feel compelled to choose without knowing exactly what you’re purchasing.
The different kinds of brick-pointing styles each offer unique benefits and features. Finding the right one for your masonry work can hugely improve the appearance and longevity of the structure. Read on to learn everything you need to know to get pointing right.
What is a Brick Mortar Joint?
Firstly, we need to understand the definition of a brick mortar joint. The mortar joint forms the space between the bricks, which is filled with mortar.
The specific mortar joint type in your brick building construction will affect the overall aesthetics of the surface, assuming there is no plan to plaster on the exterior wall. Mortar joint patterns provide different looks but also provide structural and practical value for freestanding walls.
While the thickness of mortar needs to ensure an adequate seal and bond is achieved, the mortar joint does have some aesthetic value to the brick bonding. You can achieve different looks by creating specific patterns in the mortar joint, all of which are explained below.
Mortar for Pointing Work
The standard ratio for average mortar mix is 3:1, or 4:1 for bricklaying. For pointing mix, you should have a ratio of 1:4 or 1:5 mortar to sand. Concrete depends on the strength you need it to be at. It’s good practice to mix concrete at 1:2 mix to materials.
Preparation of Surface for Pointing
First off, the joints in masonry should be raked down to a 20mm depth while the mortar is still soft and then thoroughly clean the joints and the surface.
Methods of Pointing
Next, mortar is placed into the joints using a small trowel and pressed in hard to gain a strong bond with interior mortar. Be especially careful to cover the face edges with mortar while using ashlar or first-class brick work. After application, the pointed surface stays wet for at least a week or until it sets.
Types of Brick Pointing Styles
1. Raked Pointing
One of the simplest and most popular brick pointing styles is often used for traditional or historical masonry work. Raked pointing is created by removing surface mortar to create a channel. The gap is then filled with fresh mortar and finished to match the surface of the brick.
Advantages: Useful for builds where historic appearance and brick matching is required.
Disadvantages: Ledges collect water as it runs down the wall, which can pool and enter the brickwork.
2. Recessed Pointing
Similar to raked joints but provides a slightly different ‘weathered’ finish. In the recessed pointing style, the joint is left intact and a small recessed channel is created using a pointed trowel.
Advantages: Helps to prevent water from entering the joint and causing damage to the brickwork.
Disadvantages: It can be more difficult and time-consuming to install than other styles of brick pointing.
3. Flush Pointing
Here the joint is filled with mortar and finished to create a flat surface that is even with the surface of the brick. This style is commonly used for more formal or contemporary masonry work.
Advantages: They will be hidden from plain sight if joined correctly.
Disadvantages: Construction takes more time and effort to make it watertight and resistant, also prone to water sitting on top of the brick due to not being compressed.
4. Bucket Handle Pointing
A distinctive and eye-catching brick pointing style where the joint is filled with a semicircular ‘bucket-handle shape’. Used to add elegance to masonry work.
Advantages: Offers added protection to the joint by creating a deeper and wider channel for mortar.
Disadvantages: It can be more susceptible to cracking and damage over time.
5. Struck Pointing
A smooth and even style of brick pointing. The surface of the joint is struck with a trowel to create a flat and smooth surface. Here the joint surface is struck with a trowel to create a flat and smooth surface.
Advantages: They emphasise horizontal joints and well-formed facing bricks.
Disadvantages: Not ideal for exterior walls and poor insulation.
6. Weather-struck Pointing
Here, the joint is left intact, and the surface is struck with a trowel to create a rough and weathered appearance. This technique provides an aesthetically pleasing style of brick pointing that mimics the natural weathering process of masonry work.
Advantages: This can give the brickwork a tidy, orderly appearance and is highly decorative.
Disadvantages: Water will run off the surface, so it makes an excellent exterior brick building material.
7. Concave Pointing
For this sophisticated style, the joint is filled with a curved, concave shape that creates a subtle clean, elegant appearance.
Advantages: High water resistance, with the shallow joints emphasising plain surface and quality of bricks.
Disadvantages: It shouldn’t be attempted with makeshift tools, as this can result in inconsistencies.
8. Squeezed Pointing
This style is often used for traditional or historical masonry work where a clean, straightforward look is required. To achieve this, the joint is filled with mortar and finished with a trowel to create a flat, smooth surface.
Advantages: These provide a rustic and high-texture look.
Disadvantages: They have exposed sides and are prone to moisture intrusion.
9. Vee or ‘V’ Pointing
Formed by using a V-shaped tool to create a V-shaped channel in the mortar joint. It’s ideal for older buildings for its unique, vintage appearance. The V-shaped channel allows for expansion and contraction of the brickwork, helping to prevent cracking and damage over time.
Advantages: They’re decorative and eye-catching, concealing irregularities well and highly water-resistant.
Disadvantages: Also requires a unique tool in order to perfect the mortar joint.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the small list of mortar joints above gives you some additional perspective on how vital they are to the finished brickwork. They aren’t just aesthetically significant; they also have a practical purpose.
While we wouldn’t recommend simply choosing based on aesthetics alone, we would highly recommend speaking to an expert UK brick supplier who can advise you on the best way forward. The last thing we want is for you to choose something that will impact your building’s appearance and may prove structurally unsound. In the same vein as choosing the right mortar, you wouldn’t settle for low-quality bricks.