What are bricklaying profiles?
What is a bricklayer profile, what is it used for and why do bricklayers use them? Let’s take a deeper look!
Bricklaying profiles are building aids which can be used by bricklayers when building structures. They are used to guide bricklayers, in the form of a long, straight, light-weight aluminium corner post attached to the wall being built and strings which go from one corner to the other. Bricklayers profiles allow for a level and straight build, in a fast and efficient manner.
Why use bricklaying profiles?
There are many benefits of using aluminium bricklaying profiles if you are a bricklayer. Some stonemasons may also be familiar with or use bricklayer profiles. Essentially, the need for ensuring a structure is plumb, square and level is removed, as the profile does all the work for you as you build. Benefits include:
- Enhanced efficiency when building
- Time saving
- Less room for error
- Versatility of use
- Lightweight but sturdy
- Can be custom built
- Great for apprentices / newcomers
Bricklaying profiles are versatile, they can be used on both internal and external corners. They can also be used for both brick and block, depending on what materials you need to work with. Many of these tools come with measurement etchings of brick and block on them, also acting as a guide when in use. The markings would typically be in 75mm, 150mm and 225mm increments, making it easy to use with brick, stone and block.
For experienced bricklayers, rate of production and quality of work is exponentiated with the use of profiles, with one of our subcontractors Lee saying:
“Since using the profile kit, work has been done far faster than before, production has really sped up, they are a great tool for bricklayers.” – Lee Hamilton, Bricklayer for SLBC Ltd.
The feedback we get from our bricklayers is that building with profiles is faster and more efficient, as a result, we have encouraged more of our subcontractors to start using them. Don’t just take it from us, take it from our guys who are out there using them every day! Please note, our subcontractors do use a stabiliser set alongside the profiles which can be seen in the picture below.
Bricklaying profiles – our conclusion
At SLBC, our director kept seeing aluminium bricklaying profiles out on sites which we provide labour to and decided to do some research on how effective they were. We realised just how helpful they could be in enhancing the way our bricklayers build. We found a contact who custom-builds profile sets with clamps for us, which have become considerably popular with our bricklayers, transforming the way many of them work.
