What is pointing?What are its types and purpose?

Pointing is a term used to describe the process of applying finishing mortar onto walls, brickwork or masonry.It can also refer to the application of thin strips of plaster on wood panelling. The word “point” comes from the French word “poncer,” which means to scrape or sand off. This is an important part of any construction project since it provides protection for your home’s exterior by keeping water out and protecting against moisture damage.This blog post will discuss types and purposes in pointing, as well as what you need when doing this project at home!

If you are looking for a way to finish your brick wall, then you may want to consider pointing. Types of pointing in mortar are an important step in the process of finishing any type of masonry work because it not only provides protection from water damage but also adds texture and style to the facade.

There are many types of Pointing construction found in the construction industry.It is defined as “The building or joining together of masonry units or bricks with mortar.” This definition gives you a good idea of what it is and what Pointing projects entail.Pointing can be identified by:

Pointing types :

– Keyed 

– Cut 

– Tuck

– Rough 

– V Grooved

Keyed Pointing –

Keyed pointing

In this Pointing Type the Pointing mortar is laid in a bed joint with a fillet of mortar on each side of the Pointing. It is used for Pointing over Pointed work or Pointing courses which are laid “Fully Bedded “.

Cut Pointing –

Cut PIn this Pointing Type the Pointing mortar is cut back to a uniform thickness and Pointed in a bed joint. It is used for Pointing over Pointed work or Pointing courses which are laid “Fully Bedded “.

Tuck Pointing –

TUCK

In this Pointing Type the mortar joints are forced back to form vertical cleats with one face cut to a half-bond, and the other face left rough. It is used for Pointing over Pointed work which are laid “Fully Bedded “.

Rough Pointing –

Rough Poin

In this Pointing Type the joints are pushed back to form vertical cleats with one face roughened by raking out the mortar. It is used for Pointing over Pointed work  which are laid “Fully Bedded “.

V Grooved Pointing –

V point

In this Pointing Type a Pointed finish is obtained by running a bead between Pointings. It is used for Pointing over Pointed work which are laid “Fully Bedded “, when both joints can be driven into mortar without crumbling.

Types of mortar that can be used include

  • lime putty
  • cementitious material
  • hydraulic lime.

Types of pointing in mortar include:

Bedding (the first layer)

Topping (final or finishing layer)

Repointing (installing new bricks and adding more mortar to old brick wall)

There are many different types of finishing that can be used along with the type of pointing you decide upon. Types of finishing include:

Crushed stone, sand or slag cement:

These are used in the pointing mortar that is on top of your brick wall. It can also be added to repointing mortar for a more textured look after applying the final layer.

A texture coat which will give you different types of textures that can be used for finishing mortar.

Types of textures include:

Smooth, bumpy or wire cut brick texture. Wire cut is also known as nicking which will give the bricks a more rustic look to them. Different colors are another option that you may want to consider when it comes to choosing different types of pointing in mortar finishes.

Natural color such as white, gray or brown. These are available in different tones and can be made with the use of natural pigments that will add depth to your masonry project. Types of pointing in mortar finishes range from:

A wet look which is a more shiny finish while some other types may give it a matte finish. Types of finishing materials include:

Limestone or stucco wash that can give your brick wall a more rustic look and charm. Types of pointing in mortar finishes affect the project as a whole and will bring about an entire different style to your masonry facade than what you had before.

Purpose of pointing brief description

Pointing is a vital part of any construction as it prevents moisture from seeping through the bricks.Its mortar helps to improve the bond between two adjacent brick surfaces and also seals up any unwanted gaps in brickwork by providing a watertight seal that will prevent moisture from corroding or deteriorating your bricks and mortar.Pointing mortar must be durable and strong enough to withstand the building elements and must be of an equal quality of your bricks so any improper mortar used will result in a weaker bond between two brick surfaces, which could lead to moisture entering your structure.

Many professionals prefer finishing mortar instead of pointing mortar for finishing or sealing joints between bricks. Point mortar is thicker than finishing mortar.It has a sand content that is similar to the sand content in bricks while finishing mortar does not have as much sand because it’s material composition is more suited to prevent any unwanted gaps between two brick surfaces.This mortar also sets up pretty fast, which makes it easier to work with for professionals who require quick results and is a better material for filling in gaps between bricks because it’s more elastic than finishing mortar.It does not crumble like finishing mortar when exposed to the elements, which makes pointing mortar more durable than finishing mortar.This can be broken or chipped off if desired without destroying your brickwork while finishing mortar cannot. Pointing mortar is also stronger than finishing mortar and makes a better seal because it’s sand content helps to create a waterproof surface.It adheres to bricks very well and provides a much more difficult and durable bond, which means the brickwork will be protected from any damage caused by water or harsh weather conditions.

Pointing mortar can be used to fill in any unwanted gaps that may appear on your brickwork while finishing mortar cannot.This is also cheaper than finishing mortar because it does not require the same quality of material since the sand content is lower.

It matches with bricks very well because they both have a similar sand content so this helps create a more uniform appearance.

This is less durable than finishing mortar because it breaks or chips off very easily when exposed to harsh weather conditions. Point mortar requires more time to set up properly which makes finishing the job a little bit harder for professionals who require quick results. Pointing mortar can also be difficult to work with for some people because of its sand content and is much more elastic than finishing mortar and this causes it to crumble when exposed to water, which makes point mortar less durable than finishing mortar.

Pointing also contains aggregate which can be a hazard for people who have respiratory problems or allergies if the material enters their lungs and is not good for filling in gaps because it’s sand content does not make a very durable bond. Point mortar is more elastic than finishing mortar which makes it worse to work with because of its tendency to crumble, break off or chip off easily. Its mortar also requires a long curing period before being exposed to any harsh weather conditions which means that finishing the job takes longer for professionals who require quick results. Point mortar requires more sand than finishing mortar and this makes pointing mortar less durable than finishing mortar because it has a lower sand content and fewer aggregate particles.. Point mortar is also more elastic than finishing mortar which means that point mortar is much more difficult to work with because of its tendency to crumble or break off easily. Pointing mortar is also not very durable because it crumbles easily when exposed to water. Point mortar can also be difficult to work with for some people because of its sand content.It contains aggregate which can be a hazard for people who have respiratory problems or allergies if the material enters their lungs.

Also Read:Grouting

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