UK brickwork guide

Brick Pointing Types Guide

The profile and finish of a mortar joint can make a big difference to the appearance of a brick wall. This guide explains the main pointing styles used on UK brickwork and the practical clues to look for when matching existing joints.

📷 Identify the brick first

What is brick pointing?

Pointing is the exposed finish of the mortar joint between bricks. The joint is normally finished after the brickwork has been laid, and the profile affects both the appearance and the way water is shed from the face of the wall.

When repairing existing brickwork, the aim is not simply to choose a pointing style that looks good in isolation. The new work should be considered alongside the existing brick, mortar, joint width, joint profile and age of the building.

Main types of brick pointing

1 · Flush

Flush pointing

The mortar is finished approximately level with the face of the brick. It gives a relatively simple, even appearance and can suit many types of brickwork. On older buildings, the exact finish and mortar composition should be considered before copying it.

2 · Recessed

Recessed pointing

The mortar is finished slightly behind the brick face. The recessed shadow line can make the individual brick faces more visually prominent. The depth and sharpness of the recess matter when matching an existing wall.

3 · Weather struck

Weather-struck pointing

The mortar joint is finished with a sloping face, generally falling away from the upper edge towards the lower edge. The profile gives a distinctive appearance and is often associated with traditional brickwork.

4 · Bucket handle

Bucket-handle or concave pointing

The mortar is tooled into a concave profile, producing a neat rounded joint. It is widely seen on modern and traditional brickwork. The radius, depth and consistency of the tooling can all affect the finished appearance.

5 · V-pointing

V-pointing

The joint is finished with a V-shaped groove. It creates a more defined shadow line than a simple flush joint and can be used where that profile matches the existing brickwork.

6 · Tuck pointing

Tuck pointing

Tuck pointing uses a mortar background with a narrow contrasting line formed over the joint to create the appearance of very fine, regular joints. It is particularly associated with decorative and historic brickwork and requires careful matching of colour and technique.

How to identify the pointing style on an existing wall

Look at the joint from the side rather than only straight on.
Check whether the mortar is level with, behind or projecting from the brick face.
Look for a rounded concave tool mark, a V-shaped groove or a sloping weather-struck face.
Check several joints because repairs may have introduced more than one profile.
Photograph the joints in even daylight and include several complete bricks for context.

Choosing a pointing style for replacement work

For repair or repointing, the existing wall is the most useful reference. Matching the joint profile can be just as important visually as matching the brick colour. A new mortar colour or joint shape can make an otherwise close brick match look noticeably different.

Older brickwork also needs particular care when selecting mortar. The mortar should be considered alongside the brick's porosity, strength, exposure and the existing construction rather than choosing a mix solely because it is harder or stronger.

Practical tip: photograph a small area of the existing wall straight on and from an angle. The angled photograph often makes the joint profile much easier to recognise.

Brick pointing and mortar are different things

The pointing profile describes the visible shape and finish of the joint. The mortar itself has its own composition, colour, aggregate and properties. Two walls can have a similar pointing profile while using very different mortars, so do not assume that copying the profile also means copying the mortar mix.

Common pointing mistakes

Choosing a joint profile that does not match the surrounding wall.
Using a mortar that is significantly harder than compatible existing brickwork.
Matching colour but ignoring texture and aggregate.
Overworking the mortar and smearing it across the brick face.
Raking joints too deeply or damaging brick arrises during preparation.
Assuming a photograph alone can identify the correct mortar composition.

Related Find My Brick guides

Lime mortar vs cement mortarUnderstand the main considerations when repairing older brickwork.UK brick sizesMeasure the brick itself rather than the mortar joint.Identify an old or reclaimed brickUse size, texture, colour and manufacturing clues together.Match a replacement brickCompare the physical sample before ordering.

Important: this guide is general information. Historic, listed or technically sensitive buildings may require advice from a suitably qualified professional, and mortar selection should take account of the existing construction.