The increasing demands of the UK construction industry for high build quality, greater productivity, improved thermal performance, air-tightness and waste reduction, means that alternative systems are being explored.

Thinjoint construction can be used with a number of blocks and panels which are manufactured from a variety of different materials including, aircrete, clay, calcium silicate and concrete, but they all have the same characteristic in common; they are all manufactured to a tolerance which enables an adhesive type thin bed mortar to be used to bond them together.

It is important to understand that this method of construction bonds the building elements together whereas traditionally we use the mortar to keep the elements apart. In other words the mortar used to be weaker than the block/brick but now the mortar is stronger than the block/brick. This additional strength and adhesion creates a stronger, more accurately built wall but certain rules must be adhered to.

Whilst it is said that anyone can build a thin joint wall we would strongly advise anyone new to the process undertakes training in the process. Laying thin joint blockwork can be straightforward, however, basic bricklaying skills such as setting out, reading drawings etc are essential requirements before attemting to lay with thin joint.