Northumbrian Pointing
Meet the family behind Northumbrian Pointing: Based in Hexham, in the heart of Northumberland, we are a family-run, lime mortar pointing specialists dedicated to the careful preservation of stone buildings.
Run by Ash and Steph, a couple born and raised in the north-east, Northumbrian Pointing takes pride in offering a personal, honest, and dependable service. Every project, whether a listed cottage, farmhouse, townhouse, barn conversion or heritage structure, is approached with care, attention to detail and high-quality workmanship. We love the North of England and have a genuine passion for the restoration and conservation of its stone built buildings. Whether you’re local to us in the Tyne Valley; with historical properties from Carlisle through Haltwhistle, Hexham, Corbridge, Stocksfield through to Newcastle. Or further afield from Alnwick and the Scottish Borders down to North Yorkshire, we know how beautiful and beneficial hot lime mortar repointing can be in the repair and future-proofing of these beautiful buildings.
A Family Business
Based in the heart of Hexham, this heritage lime pointing business is built on family values, craftsmanship, and a genuine passion for traditional building methods.
Ashley - Ash has worked in the building trade since leaving school, building his knowledge and hands-on experience over many years. He trained in bricklaying, dry stone walling and other traditional countryside management techniques at agricultural college, developing a strong appreciation for traditional materials and time-honoured techniques. He then studied ceramics, nurturing the artistic skills in the family, using his creativity and passion for working with his hands and attention to detail. Skills which serve him well in understanding the dry-slake hot lime mortar production process. He’s worked for many years in property maintenance including repointing, and run a fencing company resulting in a brilliant and well-trusted local reputation in the Tyne Valley. Seeing first-hand the reduction in build-quality of new homes, he’s increasingly passionate about the preservation of old buildings, using the traditional methods and materials developed over centuries to make structures that last for generations to come.
Steph - manages the day-to-day running of the business. She successfully ran a personal training businesses for a number of years herself, brought to an end by a recent illness. She uses her skills in open, honest and friendly communication combined with organisation and professionalism, to produce a strong focus on excellent customer service. From the initial enquiry through to project completion, Steph ensures that every job is handled efficiently, with care, communication and high standards throughout.
Ashley’s dad, Keith is also a key part of the team. With years of experience as a bricklayer and landscaper, he contributes a wealth of practical knowledge and skill. His background in traditional masonry and landscaping ensures each project benefits from experienced workmanship and careful attention to detail.
As a family-run business, we take great pride in our work and reputation. Based in Hexham, serving Hexham, Corbridge, Haydon Bridge, Hexhamshire, Newbrough, Fourstones, Humshaugh, Haltwhistle, Riding Mill, Stocksfield, Wark, Bellingham, Carlisle, Brampton, Slaley, Morpeth, Alnwick, Portland, Penrith and further afield in North Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders for larger projects. We are committed to preserving stone properties using breathable hot lime mortars and traditional methods that respect the integrity of older buildings.
Choosing them means choosing a local family business that values quality craftsmanship, honest service, and the preservation of the traditional buildings that make the area so special.
Our Values & Methods
The reason repointing is such a specialist skill, is that it requires knowledge and good judgement in order to choose the right materials foreach building. On a stone building, the mortar should always be softer than the stone to allow moisture to travel to the surface and evaporate, preventing damp walls and damaged to the stones themselves. Cement should never be used, as it sets too hard causing moisture to be trapped within the stones themselves resulting in damage and damp problems internally.
We never cut corners. Take patios for example, we have seen the rise of quick and ‘cost-effective’ brush in mixes being recommended as they don’t require time of skill to install and the result looks good. However, they often last just one or two winters before they break apart and need to be re-done.
As with many things, much of the success lies in the preparation; we never repoint over poorly prepared old mortar. We make sure to prepare the wall using sympathetic, time-honoured methods which are proven to give the best end results.
Learn more about the importance of using the right mortar on our dedicated page.