Specialist traditional tuck pointing for Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties throughout London and the Home Counties. Over 35 years of experience.
London Brickwork Repointing is a specialist in traditional tuck pointing for Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties throughout London and the Home Counties. With over 35 years of experience working on historic and period buildings, our craftsmen deliver expert tuck pointing services that restore the refined, decorative appearance of original brickwork.
Tuck pointing is one of the most skilled and labour-intensive forms of pointing available. It was widely used on London’s finest period properties during the Georgian and early Victorian eras to give brickwork a precise, elegant appearance. When carried out correctly, tuck pointing transforms the look of a building and significantly enhances its character and value.
Tuck pointing is a specialist technique in which mortar joints are filled flush with the brick face using a coloured mortar that closely matches the colour of the bricks themselves. A thin, raised line of white or cream putty — known as the tuck — is then applied centrally along each joint, creating the illusion of very fine, precise mortar joints.
The effect is a highly refined, crisp appearance that was historically associated with quality construction. From a distance, tuck pointed brickwork appears to have extremely thin, perfectly uniform joints — a finish that was almost impossible to achieve with standard pointing techniques of the period.
Tuck pointing is particularly associated with:
Tuck pointing is one of the most demanding and technically difficult forms of pointing. It requires a thorough understanding of traditional lime mortar, exceptional attention to detail and considerable practical skill. Each joint must be prepared, filled and finished by hand to achieve a consistent result across the entire elevation.
Many contractors lack the experience or knowledge to carry out tuck pointing correctly. Poorly executed tuck pointing can detract from the appearance of a property and may cause damage if unsuitable materials are used. Our team has decades of experience in authentic tuck pointing and works exclusively with traditional lime-based materials.
We inspect the existing tuck pointing, assess its condition and determine the appropriate mortar specification.
Background mortar is carefully matched to the colour of the bricks using lime-based materials.
Old and defective pointing removed carefully by hand to avoid damage to the brick edges.
Coloured background mortar applied flush with the brick face and allowed to set to the correct condition.
Fine tuck of white or cream putty applied centrally along each joint using a specialist tuck iron.
All joints checked for consistency, alignment and appearance before completion.
Authentic tuck pointing uses lime-based mortars that are sympathetic to the original construction of period buildings. Lime mortar is flexible and breathable, allowing the building to accommodate movement and manage moisture without causing damage to the bricks. Using cement-based materials for tuck pointing on period properties can cause lasting damage and is generally inappropriate.
Our team specialises in traditional lime mortar techniques and can advise on the most suitable specification for your property. Read more about lime mortar repointing →
The prices below are a starting guide for labour only. Every written quote we provide includes all materials, scaffolding and access — broken down clearly so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Contact us today — we cover London and the Home Counties.