Old timer told me my brick joints were too fat 6 months ago

He said I was wasting mortar and making the wall look sloppy, so I dropped from 3/8 inch down to 1/4 inch joints. Has anyone else had to unlearn a habit from school or was it just me?

2 comments

2 Comments

xena_kim15d ago

I mean, I kinda get where the old timer is coming from though? Thicker joints can actually look better on certain styles of brickwork and give the wall more visual weight. Idk, maybe it's just me but a consistent 3/8 joint reads as purposeful craftsmanship rather than sloppy once the mortar cures and tones down.

vera_lewis15d ago

Did you ever think the old timer was just being picky at first? I used to swear by 3/8 joints because that's what they taught us in school, but after trying 1/4 inch on a few jobs, I can see how the thinner lines make the brickwork pop more. Your wall probably looks cleaner now, right?