Thin Joint Tools

Thin Joint Technology

Overview

Thin joint masonry is accepted as a Modern Method of Construction (MMC). The combination of large format blocks (440 x 330mm) and thin joint mortar (3mm) give a variety of benefits:

  • Increased speed of construction
  • Reduced waste and mess
  • Faster set rate
  • Improved air tightness

The process is slightly different to standard blocklaying, with a mortar scoop used to apply the thin bed of mortar rather than a trowel. The special mortar is created by whisking powder and water to a creamy consistency with a drill attached to a paddle mixer. The nature of the blocks ensures cuts can easily be made with a masonry hand saw, whilst helical cavity wall ties are simply hammered in to suit.

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Featured Project - Lawn House

Lawn HouseI-W have been involved in the development of the UK’s first private ecohouse using prefabricated brick and block cavity walls, which has been built to achieve Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Lawn House in Burbage, Leicestershire, could have a direct impact on the future of housebuilding in the UK by offering a solution to creating sustainable mass housing more efficiently. Designer Penny Shankar found inspiration at the Hanson EcoHouse on a visit to the BRE Innovation Park in Watford to explore the concept of prefabricated masonry panels.

In this instance the extra strength in tension of the thin joint mortar is ideal for constructing the prefabricated brickwork/blockwork panels. It enables the bricklaying to be done off site in controlled conditions, and the large panels are then is sturdy enough to be transported via lorry and craned into position on site.

Additional scope: Brickwork Blockwork Prefabricated Masonry