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UK brickwork · identification guide

Brick Pointing Types

A purpose-built visual guide for identifying the profile of mortar joints. Each example shows the joint in a brick wall and then enlarges the same joint shape so the differences are easier to see.

📷 Identify a brick from a photo
Start with the wall viewLook at the shape and shadow of the joint across several bricks.
Then check the profileThe enlarged joint shows whether the mortar is flat, recessed, sloped, concave, convex, V-shaped or tucked.

Professional identification guide

These original Find My Brick illustrations are identification aids rather than photographs. They are deliberately simplified so the defining shape of each profile remains clear and consistent from one example to the next.

01

Flush

Mortar is finished approximately level with the face of the brick. Look for a broad, flat joint with no obvious recess or concave tooling.

Flush pointing — side cross-section Mortar face finishes level with the brick face EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
02

Recessed

The mortar is deliberately set back from the brick face, creating a clear shadow line around the joint.

Recessed pointing — side cross-section Mortar face is set back from the brick face EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
03

Struck

The exposed mortar face is sloped, with one arris of the joint sitting proud of the other.

Struck pointing — side cross-section Face slopes down from the upper arris EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
04

Weather-struck

The joint is sloped so its exposed face sheds water away from the brickwork.

Weather-struck pointing — side cross-section Face slopes to shed water away from the wall EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
05

Bucket-handle

Also called concave pointing. A rounded tool forms a smooth hollow curve in the face of the mortar.

Bucket-handle pointing — side cross-section Smooth concave curve formed in the mortar face EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
06

V-pointing

A distinct V-shaped groove is formed in the face of the mortar, creating a sharp central shadow line.

V-pointing pointing — side cross-section Sharp V-shaped groove cut into the mortar face EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
07

Beaded

The mortar forms a rounded bead projecting from the joint. It is visibly convex rather than hollow.

Beaded pointing — side cross-section Rounded convex bead projects beyond the brick face EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL
08

Tuck

A narrow contrasting line is formed over the mortar background to create the appearance of a very fine joint.

Tuck pointing — side cross-section Fine raised contrasting line applied to the joint EXPOSED BRICK FACE INTO WALL

How to identify the pointing on your wall

  1. Photograph several courses of brickwork in even daylight.
  2. Look at the mortar joint from straight on and from a shallow angle.
  3. Decide whether the joint is level, recessed, sloped, concave, convex, V-grooved or has a separate tuck line.
  4. Check several areas because previous repairs can introduce more than one profile.
  5. Compare the joint shape with the illustrations above before choosing a repair finish.

Quick identification clues

Flat face
Flush is approximately level with the brick face.
Shadow gap
Recessed is visibly behind the brick face.
Angled face
Struck and weather-struck joints have a deliberate slope.
Hollow curve
Bucket-handle/concave curves inward at the centre.
Sharp V
V-pointing has a defined central groove.
Rounded bead
Beaded pointing projects outward.
Fine line
Tuck pointing has a narrow contrasting ribbon.
Check context
Weathering and later repairs can alter appearance.

Matching existing brickwork

Pointing is only one part of a successful match. Compare the brick's dimensions, colour, texture, manufacturing marks and existing mortar at the same time.

Important: on listed, conservation or significant historic work, obtain appropriate professional advice before removing existing mortar.

Need to identify the brick too?

Use the Find My Brick photo identifier to compare the brick itself, then use the pointing profile as an additional matching clue.

📷 Identify a brick from a photo

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