Jointing vs. Pointing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Jointing involves filling gaps between masonry units for stability, whereas pointing focuses on the visible finish of these joints to enhance weather resistance and aesthetics.
Difference Between Jointing and Pointing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Jointing is a crucial step during the construction of brick or stone structures, ensuring stability by properly filling gaps between masonry units. Pointing, on the other hand, emphasizes applying a final layer to these joints for added weather resistance.
Jointing provides the foundational integrity of a structure, relying on mortar or adhesive to secure individual masonry units. Pointing uses a more refined mortar to improve the appearance and seal the joints from moisture penetration.
Jointing focuses primarily on holding the bricks or stones together during the construction phase. In contrast, pointing is performed after jointing and ensures the joints remain tight and visually appealing.
Jointing is usually hidden once the construction is complete and doesn't have much impact on the visible appearance. Pointing, however, is the visible, outer layer of mortar that defines the overall look of the structure.
Jointing is often done using coarser mortar that bonds strongly between the masonry units. Pointing, meanwhile, uses a finer mortar mix that's meticulously shaped to fill surface gaps and protect the structure from weathering.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Fills gaps to stabilize masonry units
Provides a finishing layer for joints
Timing
Done during the construction process
Applied after jointing is complete
Material
Uses coarser mortar for strong bonding
Uses finer mortar for weather resistance
Visibility
Often not visible after construction
Visible and defines the structure's look
Function
Structural integrity and strength
Aesthetic appeal and moisture protection
Compare with Definitions
Jointing
The method of securing bricks or stones in a desired arrangement.
Jointing should align with the blueprint’s design.
Pointing
Applying a final mortar layer to joints for weatherproofing.
Pointing the outer joints of the stone wall improved its look and durability.
Jointing
The process of achieving an internal bond in masonry.
The jointing process is a foundational step in construction.
Pointing
Sealing joints against moisture and environmental factors.
Pointing is necessary to prevent water infiltration.
Jointing
Ensuring masonry stability by securing the materials together.
The foreman inspected each jointing layer for quality.
Pointing
Repairing damaged joints by removing old mortar and replacing it.
After scraping out loose mortar, they began the pointing process.
Jointing
Filling gaps in masonry work with mortar or adhesive.
The mason focused on jointing the bricks securely before moving to the next layer.
Pointing
Enhancing the appearance of visible joints.
The mason spent the afternoon pointing the wall for a smooth finish.
Jointing
Creating a firm bond between building blocks.
Proper jointing is crucial for long-lasting walls.
Pointing
Shaping mortar joints to a desired form.
The contractor specialized in various pointing styles.
Jointing
A place or part at which two or more things are joined.
Pointing
Pointing is a gesture specifying a direction from a person's body, usually indicating a location, person, event, thing or idea. It typically is formed by extending the arm, hand, and index finger, although it may be functionally similar to other hand gestures.
Jointing
A way in which two or more things are joined
A mortise-and-tenon joint.
Pointing
The action of filling the joints of brickwork or masonry with mortar
The pointing and grouting of masonry and brick
Jointing
A point of articulation between two or more bones, especially such a connection that allows motion.
Pointing
A sharp or tapered end
The point of a knife.
The point of the antenna.
Jointing
A point in the exoskeleton of an invertebrate at which movable parts join, as along the leg of an arthropod.
Pointing
An object having a sharp or tapered end
A stone projectile point.
Jointing
(Botany) An articulation on a fruit or stem, such as the node of a grass stem.
Pointing
A tapering extension of land projecting into water; a peninsula, cape, or promontory.
Jointing
(Geology) A fracture or crack in a rock mass along which no appreciable movement has occurred.
Pointing
A mark formed by or as if by a sharp end.
Jointing
A large cut of meat for roasting.
Pointing
A mark or dot used in printing or writing for punctuation, especially a period.
Jointing
A cheap or disreputable gathering place
"The tavern is ... just a joint with Formica tables, a vinyl floor, lights over the mirrors" (Scott Turow).
Pointing
A decimal point.
Jointing
A building or dwelling.
Pointing
(Linguistics) A vowel point.
Jointing
A prison. Often used with the.
Pointing
One of the protruding marks used in certain methods of writing and printing for the blind.
Jointing
(Slang) A marijuana cigarette.
Pointing
A dimensionless geometric object having no properties except location.
Jointing
Vulgar Slang A penis.
Pointing
An element in a geometrically described set.
Jointing
Shared by or common to two or more
Our joint presence.
A joint income-tax return.
Pointing
A place or locality considered with regard to its position
Connections to Chicago and points west.
Jointing
Sharing with another or others
A joint tenant.
Pointing
A narrowly particularized and localized position or place; a spot
The troops halted at a point roughly 1,000 yards from the river.
Jointing
Formed or characterized by cooperation or united action
Joint military maneuvers.
Pointing
A specified degree, condition, or limit, as in a scale or course
The melting point of a substance.
Jointing
Involving both houses of a legislature
A joint session of Congress.
Pointing
Any of the 32 equal divisions marked at the circumference of a mariner's compass card that indicate direction.
Jointing
(Law) Regarded as one, especially with regard to tort liability or interest in property.
Pointing
The interval of 11°15′ between any two adjacent markings.
Jointing
(Mathematics) Involving two or more variables.
Pointing
A distinct condition or degree
Finally reached the point of exhaustion.
Jointing
To combine or attach with a joint or joints
Securely jointed the sides of the drawer.
Pointing
The interval of time immediately before a given occurrence; the verge
On the point of resignation.
At the point of death.
Jointing
To provide or construct with joints
Joint a boom on a crane.
Pointing
A specific moment in time
At this point, we are ready to proceed.
Jointing
To separate (meat) at the joints.
Pointing
An objective or purpose to be reached or achieved, or one that is worth reaching or achieving
What is the point of discussing this issue further?.
Jointing
The act of making a joint.
Pointing
The major idea or essential part of a concept or narrative
You have missed the whole point of the novel.
Jointing
The set of joints so produced.
Pointing
A significant, outstanding, or effective idea, argument, or suggestion
Your point is well taken.
Jointing
(uncountable) The characteristic of having joints.
Pointing
A separate, distinguishing item or element; a detail
Diplomacy is certainly not one of his strong points. Your weak point is your constant need for approval.
Jointing
The initial grinding of the teeth of a cutting tool, prior to sharpening.
Pointing
A quality or characteristic that is important or distinctive, especially a standard characteristic used to judge an animal.
Jointing
Present participle of joint
Pointing
A single unit, as in counting, rating, or measuring.
Jointing
The act or process of making a joint; also, the joints thus produced.
Pointing
A unit of academic credit usually equal to one hour of class work per week during one semester.
Pointing
A numerical unit of academic achievement equal to a letter grade.
Pointing
Sports & Games A unit of scoring or counting.
Pointing
A unit equal to one dollar, used to quote or state variations in the current prices of stocks or commodities.
Pointing
A unit equal to one percent, used to quote or state interest rates or shares in gross profits.
Pointing
One percent of the total principal of a loan, paid up front to the lender and considered separately from the interest.
Pointing
(Music) A phrase, such as a fugue subject, in contrapuntal music.
Pointing
(Printing) A unit of type size equal to 0.01384 inch, or approximately 1/72 of an inch.
Pointing
A jeweler's unit of weight equal to 2 milligrams or 0.01 carat.
Pointing
The act or an instance of pointing.
Pointing
The stiff and attentive stance taken by a hunting dog.
Pointing
A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.
Pointing
The position occupied by such a unit or guard
A team of Rangers were walking point at the outset of the operation.
Pointing
Either of two positions in ice hockey just inside the offensive zone near the boards, usually assumed by defenders attempting to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
Pointing
(Basketball) A position in the forecourt beyond the top of the key, usually taken by the point guard.
Pointing
In women's lacrosse, a defensive player who marks the opponent playing nearest to the goal (the first home).
Pointing
An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.
Pointing
Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.
Pointing
Points The extremities of an animal, such as a cat or horse, especially when they differ in color from the rest of the coat.
Pointing
A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
Pointing
The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
Pointing
A ribbon or cord with a metal tag at the end, used to fasten clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Pointing
To direct or aim
Point a weapon.
Pointing
To bring (something) to notice
Pointed out an error in their reasoning.
Pointing
To indicate the position or direction of
Pointed out the oldest buildings on the skyline.
Pointing
To sharpen (a pencil, for example); provide with a point.
Pointing
To separate with decimal points
Pointing off the hundredths place in a column of figures.
Pointing
To mark (text) with points; punctuate.
Pointing
(Linguistics) To mark (a consonant) with a vowel point.
Pointing
To give emphasis to; stress
Comments that simply point up flawed reasoning.
Pointing
To indicate the presence and position of (game) by standing immobile and directing the muzzle toward it. Used of a hunting dog.
Pointing
To fill and finish the joints of (masonry) with cement or mortar.
Pointing
To direct attention or indicate position with or as if with the finger.
Pointing
To turn the mind or thought in a particular direction or to a particular conclusion
All indications point to an early spring.
Pointing
To be turned or faced in a given direction; aim.
Pointing
To indicate the presence and position of game. Used of a hunting dog.
Pointing
(Nautical) To sail close to the wind.
Pointing
The action of the verb to point.
Pointing
The filling of joints in brickwork or masonry with mortar.
Pointing
Mortar that has been placed between bricks to fill the gap.
Pointing
The act or art of punctuating; punctuation.
Pointing
The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the first process of high milling.
Pointing
(art) The act or process of measuring, at the various distances from the surface of a block of marble, the surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.
Pointing
Present participle of point
Pointing
The act of sharpening.
Pointing
The act of designating, as a position or direction, by means of something pointed, as a finger or a rod.
Pointing
The act or art of punctuating; punctuation.
Pointing
The act of filling and finishing the joints in masonry with mortar, cement, etc.; also, the material so used.
Pointing
The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the first process of high milling.
Pointing
The act or process of measuring, at the various distances from the surface of a block of marble, the surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.
Pointing
That points
Common Curiosities
What is the primary purpose of jointing?
Jointing aims to fill gaps between bricks or stones to create a solid bond and structural stability.
Can jointing mortar be used for pointing as well?
Jointing mortar is coarser and less suitable for pointing, which requires a finer, more workable mortar.
How often should pointing be maintained?
Pointing should be checked periodically and maintained when cracks or weathering are visible.
Why is pointing necessary after jointing?
Pointing improves the look of the joints and seals them to prevent moisture penetration.
Does pointing replace jointing in masonry work?
No, pointing complements jointing but doesn't replace it; both are essential for robust masonry.
Is jointing always visible in finished masonry?
Jointing is usually hidden behind the pointing layer, which is the visible part.
What tools are commonly used for jointing?
Jointing typically uses trowels or caulking guns to apply mortar between masonry units.
Can improper jointing affect pointing quality?
Yes, poor jointing can cause gaps that compromise pointing adherence and effectiveness.
Are there different styles of pointing?
Yes, pointing has various styles like flush, recessed, and weather-struck, each with unique visual effects.
Is pointing purely aesthetic?
No, pointing is also functional, as it protects the structure by sealing joints.
Does jointing affect the final appearance of masonry?
Jointing provides structural integrity, but the final appearance is determined mainly by pointing.
How does pointing repair differ from new pointing?
Pointing repair involves removing old, deteriorated mortar before applying new mortar.
Is pointing essential for weatherproofing masonry structures?
Yes, pointing is crucial for sealing joints against moisture and weather damage.
When should jointing and pointing be inspected?
Both should be inspected regularly for cracks, gaps, or weathering to ensure longevity.
Do both jointing and pointing use the same mortar type?
Not necessarily, as pointing mortar is often finer for precise application.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
