Brick Mortar Pointing

Noel Clarke 21 September 2025

Bricks have been used for thousands of years in construction. Their longevity in a building can be dependent on the type of mortar used and the design of the detail provided at the external joint of the brickwork. Shown below, are mortar pointing design details to the external face of the brick, at the joint, and shown in cross sections. This will help the reader visualise some of the variety of details used in mortar pointing brick or block walls.

Historic pointing finishes include:

Flush - the mortar is finished flush with the brickwork without getting it on the front of the brick. It is sometimes used in more recent times.

Recessed - this type of pointing finish was most common on late Victorian and Edwardian buildings where the bricks were machine made. This finish has become more common in modern times as it is a quick and simple finish. The dis-advantage of this type of finish is that water can sit in the joint on top of the brick and may cause spalling of the brick through freeze thaw action over the long term.

Penny or Trowl Struck - the mortar is finished flush with the brick and a trowl is used to make a 1-2mm track in the centre of the joint.

Double Struck - the mortar is finished flush and a trowl is used to make a track on either side of the joint along the brick.

Modern pointing finishes include:

Weather Struck -  Although this method appears to be useful because the water would drip from the wall, it is usually carried out incorrectly as a renewal detail with a Portland cement on older brick walls. The use of this cement can cause greater damage to the older brickwork and spalling to the brick face. This is because the moisture leaves through the brick more quickly than the Portland cement, unlike previous mortars which used a lime based mortar to the joints.

Strap or Ribbon pointing - This pointing is also commonly carried out as a renewal on older brick walls, with a Portland cement, and can cause greater damage to historic bricks in the long term. Both the weather struck and strap pointing can dramatically change the look of a historic wall for the worse.

Bucket Handle - This type of pointing is used commonly, it has a concave effect and is created by rubbing a bucket handle or sometimes a copper pipe along a flush finished joint. The handle of a jointing tool can also be used.