So What’s Your Point?

A New Year and the work starts again.  The damp proof course has been finished off and today the bricklaying has begun. Which also means the questions and more importantly decisions need to be made. 

The builder called this morning to follow up on a conversation I had about joints with the bricklayer.  No, we weren’t discussing Holland’s introduction of a smoking ban, we were talking about the gaps between bricks. 

Originally when discussing bricks, joints and mortar we’d done so in the comfort of our own homes or in the relative warmth of a building merchants. This time the discussions were conducted on site and with the site in mind. 

As the majority of my border is neighboured by as-far-as-the-eye-can-see farming land, it means the house will be open to the elements head on. 

I’d taken a long time to look at the bricks, as I was told quite early doors that self builders can almost sleep walk into choosing a material without realise what a drastic, and unalterable, difference this choice can make. 

A lot of things can be changed if you make a mistake or don’t like your choice, but I can’t really imagine calling the builder and saying “I love it, but could you just change the bricks?” The aim was to create a new-build effect but not to date the house. So a passer-by would think that’s a new house, but it doesn’t look it, instantly established I suppose. 

So, a heritage style brick has been chosen, and the raked joint looked favourite, to show off the randomness of the brick and its own lines. However with now the reality to consider, the bricklayer was concerned that the elements would mean a raked joint need re-pointing in the not too distant future. 

That would go against one of my principles of making the house as maintenance and ongoing cost light as possible. 

Thus after a demonstration of three different joints I’ve plumbed for a gag-like or bucket handle derivative. It gives the effect of a shallow rake, but is a much more robust gap.   

Anyway if I don’t like I can always lump it!