Name three common mortar joints and one key advantage of each.

• A. Concave – dense, weather-resistant; V-joint – fast to finish; Raked/Flush – historical appearance (easier maintenance)
• B. V-joint – dense, weather-resistant; Concave – fast to finish; Raked/Flush – historical appearance
• C. Raked/Flush – dense, weather-resistant; Concave – fast to finish; V-joint – historical appearance
• D. Concave – fast to finish; V-joint – historical appearance; Raked/Flush – dense, weather-resistant

Answer: (A)

Understanding mortar joint profiles helps you pick the right look and performance for a wall. Three common profiles are concave, V-joint, and raked/flush. The concave joint is formed with a rounded tool to create a curved groove that compresses the mortar. This produces a dense, weather-resistant seam that holds up well against rain and freeze-thaw. The V-joint is struck to form a sharp V-shaped groove, which is quicker to shape and finish, making it a faster option when time matters. The Raked/Flush joint sits with the mortar level with the brick face or slightly recessed, delivering a clean, traditional appearance that mirrors historic brickwork.

So the best matching set is concave for its density and weather resistance, V-joint for fast finishing, and Raked/Flush for its historical look.