. WEATHER JOINT. The trowel point is again employed at about a 30° angle, this time to expose the lower edge of the top course of brick, the method being merely reversed from the preceding as detailed for the Struck Joint. Vertical joints are finished in the same way. This is one of the best joints to give texture, especially in severe climates or those which are exceptionally damp, as this joint will shed water better than any of the others except possibly the Flush Joint. It will give nearly as much shadow effect as a Raked Joint without any of its drawbacks.

. RAKED JOINT. This makes one of the handsomest of masonry effects. If regular, even-sized modular units are employed, it will produce a good deep shadow line, emphasizing the geometric pattern pleasantly. It may be painted or left in its original finish, as you desire. However, in some climates it may have certain drawbacks. It will retain moisture, ice, and snow, and if the brick or other units are porous it may lay them open to cracking from freezing and other moisture deterioration. Where no insulation or moisture barrier is used on the walls of a house with raked joints, the inside walls may become rather damp. It may require more repointing than other types of joints (all joints may need repointing after a good many years of weathering); but even with these drawbacks, which do not obtain in all climates, let us point out that it is still our favorite joint and one of the most beautiful and most satisfying.

. CONCAVE JOINT. AS weather-impervious as the Flush Joint, this one is made by using a short length of pipe or a round iron rod to shape the joint. Hold the pipe or rod level with the joint and at an angle so that the rounded side of the end fits into the joint. Draw the tool along, holding it always at the same angle. You should choose whether you want a deep concave or a shallow one and hold the tool at the proper angle to achieve it. The closer to the wall the shank of the tool is held, the deeper will be the joint, for the round end will fit more deeply into the area between the masonry units.