Bricklayer and Craft Mason

Bricklayers and craft masons build or repair external and internal walls and chimneys using lime mortar, rather than ordinary Portland cement mortar.

Sometimes, this will include special shapes, thicknesses and patterns of bricks and the use of different bonds, maybe with handmade rather than mass-produced bricks. Walls may contain a variety of different kinds of openings, including arches, and some high status buildings feature specialised high-quality gauged brickwork or a range of other decorative features requiring precision craft skills.

In some parts of the United Kingdom, craft masons build and restore walls using natural, rough stone. This is different from the fine square dressed blocks worked and constructed by stonemasons.

Each building or structure is different and offers a unique set of challenges to understand and resolve. The variety of buildings and the different techniques used to build them in the past means it is important to have an understanding of the building materials, so as to sympathetically replace or repair these using similar methods and materials.

Visit our training provider database to find specialist heritage courses in conservation brickwork.

For more information on a career as a brickworker, including qualifications and training in mainstream construction visit Careers Advice.