We’re back at the Redoubt with Punch Construction UK, and this week we’re looking at two very specific skills the team have been focusing on!
🧱 Brick cutting: Every brick used in the repair has to match the original in size, texture and bond pattern. That means careful, often hand-finished cutting to achieve a seamless fit. No two bricks on a historic building are ever quite the same, so it’s slow, precise work.
🥄 Preparing mortar ‘biscuits’: Before any repointing happens, the team prepares small mortar biscuits. These are test samples that are mixed and cured to check colour, texture and strength against the original fabric. If the mix isn’t quite right there is a risk of trapping moisture or damaging the brickwork around it, so all samples are meticulously checked before a single joint is repointed.
It’s this level of care that ensures every repair respects the Redoubt’s rich history.
Visit our website to find out more about our pilot repair project, generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England. ✨