Profiles

About Profiles

Building profiles are essential tools for professional bricklayers, builders, and construction tradespeople who need to establish accurate straight lines and maintain consistent courses when building walls and other masonry structures. Also known as external building profiles, corner profiles, or line profiles, these precision instruments consist of robust metal or composite frames that attach to corners or ends of walls, providing a reliable reference system for maintaining level, plumb, and aligned brickwork across large expanses.

A complete profile system typically includes the main profile frames, line holders, wing nuts, bolts, clamps, and stabilisers that work together to create a taut string line between corners. This string line acts as a guide for each course of bricks or blocks, ensuring that walls remain perfectly straight and level throughout construction. Professional-grade profiles are designed to withstand the rigours of site work, featuring durable materials that resist bending and damage whilst providing years of reliable service on construction sites across the UK.

Modern building profiles have evolved considerably from traditional corner blocks and string, offering faster setup times, improved accuracy, and greater versatility for different wall thicknesses and building materials. Quality profiles from established manufacturers like Faithfull provide the precision and durability that professional tradespeople demand, whether working on residential extensions, commercial developments, or large-scale construction projects.

Jargon Buster

• External Building Profile: A metal or composite frame system that attaches to wall corners to hold string lines, providing a straight, level reference guide for laying bricks or blocks in consistent courses.
• Line Holders: Components that grip and secure the string or line at specific heights on the profile frame, allowing quick adjustment between courses without retying knots.
• Profile Clamp Bracket: A mechanical device that attaches the profile frame securely to the corner of a wall, typically gripping onto the laid brickwork or blockwork without causing damage.
• Setting Device: A precision tool used to position profiles accurately at corners, ensuring they're perfectly plumb (vertical) and correctly aligned before securing.
• Stabilisers: Additional support components that prevent profiles from moving or flexing during use, particularly important when working on taller walls or in windy conditions.
• Wing Nuts: Hand-tightened fasteners used throughout profile systems for quick adjustment and assembly without requiring tools, enabling rapid setup and repositioning.

Who Uses Profiles?

Building profiles are invaluable tools for a wide range of construction professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts:

• Bricklayers and Blocklayers: The primary users who rely on profiles daily for maintaining accurate courses and straight walls on all types of masonry projects.
• General Builders and Construction Contractors: For coordinating brickwork teams and ensuring quality standards across residential and commercial builds.
• Groundworkers and Foundation Specialists: When constructing retaining walls, boundary walls, and foundation walls that require precision alignment.
• Stonemasons: Adapting profile systems for natural stone walling projects where maintaining consistent courses is essential.
• Self-Builders and Property Developers: Managing their own construction projects and requiring professional-standard accuracy for extensions and new builds.
• Serious DIY Enthusiasts: Tackling garden walls, garage construction, or home extensions where quality results demand proper equipment rather than makeshift methods.
• Training Centres and Colleges: Teaching proper bricklaying techniques to apprentices and students learning the trade.

How to Choose the Right Profiles

Selecting the appropriate building profile system depends on several important factors:

Profile Length and Height: Consider the maximum wall height you'll typically work on. Two-metre profiles suit most residential work including single and two-storey buildings, whilst taller commercial projects may benefit from extended systems. Longer profiles provide greater versatility but require more storage space and careful handling on site.

Build Quality and Materials: Professional-grade profiles manufactured from hardened aluminium or steel-reinforced composite materials offer superior durability and maintain accuracy over thousands of uses. Look for corrosion-resistant finishes that withstand British weather conditions and site environments. Budget options may suffice for occasional DIY use, but tradespeople should invest in robust systems from reputable manufacturers like Faithfull.

Complete System vs Individual Components: Starter kits provide all essential components including profiles, line holders, clamps, bolts, and wing nuts in one package, offering excellent value and ensuring compatibility. However, experienced bricklayers often purchase additional accessories separately to customise systems for specific applications or replace worn components.

Clamping and Adjustment Mechanism: Quality clamp brackets should grip securely onto various wall thicknesses without damaging brickwork, whilst allowing quick repositioning between courses. Wing nut adjustments should operate smoothly even when hands are wet or wearing gloves.

Portability and Storage: Consider how profiles will be transported between sites and stored. Compact designs with detachable components are easier to fit in vans alongside other equipment, whilst integrated carrying handles facilitate movement around larger sites.

Popular Accessories

Several complementary products enhance the functionality and effectiveness of building profile systems:

• Replacement Line and Cord: High-visibility braided lines in fluorescent colours that remain taut and visible in all lighting conditions, typically supplied in 100-metre reels for multiple setups.
• Spirit Levels and Laser Levels: Essential for setting profiles perfectly plumb and level before securing, with boat levels ideal for checking horizontal alignment along lengthy walls.
• Corner Blocks and Line Pins: Traditional alternatives or supplementary guides for shorter wall sections or when profiles aren't practical.
• Profile Carry Bags and Cases: Purpose-designed storage solutions that protect components during transport and keep complete systems organised.
• Measuring Tapes and Gauge Rods: For accurate course height measurement and maintaining consistent mortar joint thickness throughout the wall.
• Trowels and Pointing Tools: Quality bricklaying hand tools that work alongside profiles to achieve professional-standard results.

Safety Information

Whilst building profiles themselves present minimal safety hazards, their use on construction sites requires proper awareness:

Secure Installation: Always ensure profiles are firmly clamped and stabilised before tensioning lines. Inadequately secured profiles can detach suddenly, potentially causing injury or damage. Check stability regularly, particularly on taller walls or in windy conditions.

Manual Handling: Two-metre aluminium profiles, whilst relatively lightweight, require careful handling to prevent muscle strain and injury. Follow HSE manual handling guidelines when lifting and positioning equipment, particularly when working at height or on uneven ground.

Working at Height: When setting up profiles on upper courses, use appropriate access equipment such as scaffolding or mobile towers rather than ladders. Ensure compliance with Work at Height Regulations 2005 and use fall protection equipment where required.

Site Awareness: Taut lines between profiles can present trip hazards to other trades working in the vicinity. Mark line positions clearly and communicate with other site workers to prevent accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can building profiles be used for blockwork as well as brickwork?

Absolutely. Quality profile systems accommodate various wall thicknesses and are equally effective for concrete blocks, lightweight blocks, and traditional bricks. The adjustable clamps grip different materials securely, making profiles versatile tools for all types of masonry construction.

How do I maintain my building profiles to ensure longevity?

Clean profiles after each use to remove mortar splashes and debris, paying particular attention to moving parts like wing nuts and clamps. Store in a dry location to prevent corrosion, and periodically lubricate adjustment mechanisms with light oil. Check for bent or damaged sections before each project, as even minor deformation affects accuracy.

What's the advantage of profiles over traditional corner blocks and string?

Profiles offer significantly faster setup between courses—simply move the line holders rather than retying string at each level. They provide superior accuracy over longer distances, remain stable in windy conditions with proper stabilisation, and eliminate the frustration of tangled or broken strings. For professional bricklayers, the time savings across multiple projects quickly justify the investment.

Can I use building profiles on my own for a DIY garden wall project?

Yes, profiles are excellent tools for serious DIY projects, helping achieve professional-quality results even without extensive bricklaying experience. A complete 2-metre system provides everything needed for typical garden walls up to around 1.8 metres high. Combine with a quality spirit level and gauge rod for best results, and consider practicing setup on a small section first.

Do I need stabilisers for every profile setup?

Stabilisers become increasingly important as wall height increases or when working in exposed, windy locations. For walls under one metre in calm conditions, profiles may remain sufficiently stable without them. However, for taller walls or external sites, stabilisers prevent vibration and movement that can compromise accuracy, making them worthwhile additions to any professional system.