Repointing Stone Cottage advise

[Donna1gj]

Hi all

I would like some advise on the repointing options I have been given by the stone mason.

I am not in a conservation area and the property is not listed.

I have solid walls no cavity.

Please see the 2 options he has proposed.
I am not sure about it.

I would really like the stone to sit proud in its uneven natural beauty and the pointing to be deeper around the stone. However he has told me that is not good for the water to sit on the stone.

Please let me know what you think is better - see pictures below of what he has proposed and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

First 2 pics are 1st option
Second 2 pics are 2nd option.

 

[Stevers]

You're instincts are correct, please not option 2) as it looks exactly like nearly all the cement pointing I've laboriously knocked out!

I've seen it said that pointing should be flush with the face of the stone. In parts of France where they take this to extremes they end up with islands of stone in a sea of mortar. My approach has always been to knock back the joints with an offcut of wood and churn brush to make a feature of the stone and reduce the effect of the mortar. With a lime mortar (the important bit) it will make no difference to how it weathers as water won't be sitting on any ledges.

 

[mardinor]

DEFINITELY not option 2. Will make your house virtually unsellable.
I'd see if he can do option 1 but brushed back a bit more.

 

[stuart45]

When repointing masonry, it depending on the quality of the original work whether or not you want the joints highlighted. For example, with rubbed brickwork, or ashlar stonework, the masonry units are very accurately cut and laid with small joints, so a bright, white, contrasting colour will show off the workmanship.
With other work, such as random rubble stonework, which has much larger joints, it's often better to use a colour that is closer to the stone.
With certain types of stone, such as Chert, a slight recess in the joints makes them slightly smaller, so more of the stone is visible. This helps avoid the ' islands of stone in a sea of mortar' as Stevers correctly noted. You can also when pointing, angle the joints slightly in a weather struck style to recess them.
You often find that stone walls look at their best when you have raked them out before a repoint.

 

[Stevers]

The not so old ways, not always the best. Seeing option 2 suggested even now, reminds me that I once spoke with an old hand who swore that the correct and only way to finish stonework was to ribbon point it - no doubt in a reliable strong cement/stonedust mix. No that really would leave water sitting on a ledge able to attack the stone!

 

[Donna1gj]

Thank you for your reply’s and advice

 

[Donna1gj]

it is a great suggestion to ask him to bed in option 1 a little more