Question about using a 3/8 inch vs 1/2 inch mortar joint for a garden wall

Honestly, I was building a 4-foot curved wall in a client's backyard in Akron and had to pick between the two joint sizes. I went with the 3/8 inch because the homeowner wanted a tighter, more refined look with the old Chicago brick they supplied. Ngl, it took a bit more focus to keep it consistent, but the final look was totally worth the extra time. Has anyone else had to make that call on a residential job and what did you lean towards?

3 comments

3 Comments

walker.hayden2mo ago

Wait wait wait, you're telling me you got it that consistent on a curved wall with 3/8 joints? That's wild. @mason_flores21 is right though, less room for error means every brick has to land perfect... I'm seriously impressed you pulled that off without having to pop a few back out.

janac514mo ago

Did the tighter joint affect your mortar mix or curing time at all?

mason_flores214mo agoTop Commenter

Yeah, tighter joints are like that with everything (less room for error).