Plastering & Pointing-Definition & Difference

• POINTING

Special mortar finishing work is applied on to the exposed joints Instead of plastering entire surface of the masonry.This process is known as "pointing". Pointing involves raking of joints to a depth of 10 mm to 20 mm and then filling it with rich mortar. For cement mortar pointing, mix used is 1 : 3 and for lime mortar pointing mix used is 1 : 2. 

Pointing is most suitable for stone masonry since stones possess attractive colors and has good resistance to penetration of water. Pointing gives protection to weaker part of masonry like joints and it improves the aesthetics of the masonry.

• PLASTERING

Plastering refers to process of applying mortar coats on the surfaces of walls, columns, roofs etc. in order to get a smooth finished surface. Mortar used for plastering may be lime mortar, cement mortar or lime-cement mortar. 

Cement mortar of 1 : 4 or 1 : 6 mix is very commonly used for plastering, richer mix being used for outer walls.  Lime mortar used shall have fat lime to sand ratio of 1 : 3 or 1 : 4. If hydraulic lime is used mix proportion (lime: sand) is 1 : 2.To combine the cost effectiveness of lime mortar and good quality of cement mortar many use lime-cement mortar of proportion i.e cement : lime : sand of 1 : 1 : 6 or 1 : 1 : 8 or 1 : 2 : 8.

Difference between Plastering & Pointing

No.	PLASTERING	POINTING
i	It is applied on to entire surface.	It is applied only at exposed joints.
ii	It provides smooth surface.	It does not provide smooth surface.
iii	It conceals defective workmanship in the masonry construction	It is used to expose beauty of well built masonry work.
iv	It provides a base for applying white/ colour washing	White washing or colour washing are ruled out.