In addition to regular bricks, another product that masons use is clay paving stone. This material is just as durable as normal brick, as the 200 year old pavers in Boston's Beacon Hill are still around to this day.
Have you ever heard of veneer masonry? It's a brick or stone façade installed over another material, like wood or a less decorative masonry. Masonry veneers are popular both indoors and out.
If you want to create some major curb appeal for your home, an experienced mason can help. Instead of a typical walkway, you can have a custom stone or brick entry to your home.
In ancient Greece, builders believed modern, fired bricks were more durable and less susceptible to erosion than traditional limestone or marble. As a result, large, public buildings that were intended to last were often constructed of brick or finished with brick facing.
Like many materials, mortars come in a variety of strength. They're graded on a level of strength from M (the highest), through S, N, O, and K (the lowest). Different mortars work with different applications, and a mason knows how to pick the right mortar for the job.
Brick and masonry are incredibly durable, but they can erode over many decades, especially under harsh weather. Fortunately, masonry contractors are skilled at restoration and can return your masonry work to full strength while making sure to keep to the original design.
During ancient times, the masonry materials used to build structures depended on the materials that prevailed in the area. The area between the Tigris and Euphrates lacked stone projections but since clay deposits were abundant, this allowed them to erect structures made of sun-dried bricks.
Brick is one of the most durable building materials. The best bricks are subjected to temperatures as high as 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, which causes the minerals found in clay and shale to vitrify and chemically fuse for increased strength.
Instead of painting or resurfacing the brickwork on or in your home, thing about using a stain on it. It is a cost-effective process and it does not detract from the natural look and appeal of the brick.
The Great Wall of China, which spans more than 5,500 miles, took 200 years to build and to this day remains the largest masonry structures in the world.
Old bricks can start to fall apart over time and lose structural integrity. Fortunately, a masonry contractor has a variety of ways they can replace damaged or weakened brick to give you back the strength and durability you've come to expect from masonry.
Manufactured stone products are formed using aggregate and either extreme pressure or cement as a binder to create a more consistent stone product. This means that products can look and handle alike, with careful replication of all subtle variations in color and texture.
Brick construction has been used for centuries, which has given masons a lot of time to hone their craft. When a skilled masonry contractor works on your home or business with new construction, they make sure to use both time-honored techniques and the latest technology.
One of the best ways to enhance the value of your home is to put in a few choice modifications. Whether it's a new chimney, patio or facade, tasteful masonry work can give your property a substantial boost if you eventually decide to sell.
Local historical societies strive to restore shops, buildings, and even roadways to their former glory. Many times, these buildings and roads were made during an era where bricks and masonry reigned supreme. A skilled mason will be able to restore these to their former glory.
Paving bricks, or pavers as they are sometimes called, refer to bricks that are intended to be used in the ground as part of a walkway or roadway.
Homes and office buildings that are built using masonry materials have better indoor air quality overall. This is because masonry not only naturally resists mold spores but also emits less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than other building materials. This means that your breathing air is cleaner.
Fired bricks typically contain five ingredients: sand, clay, lime, iron oxide, and magnesia. These bricks are pressed and then fired in a kiln. The firing process is what makes them usable in construction.
While masonry is typically associated with buildings, one form of masonry called riprap is used to protect shorelines and hillsides from erosion. This type of masonry makes use of similar-sized rocks or rubble held together with grout.
Have you always wished that the walkway leading to your front door was more elegant than plain gray concrete? Let’s talk about whether your porch, steps, and walkway would look better covered in brick.
What two materials are most often used with mortar in masonry applications? If you guessed concrete blocks and conventional bricks, you're right. Mortar is used to fill in the gaps and bind the blocks together into walls and other structures.
An American bond (also known as a common or Scottish bond) consists of a row of bricks laid with their short ends exposed ("headers"), topped by one to five rows of bricks laid lengthwise ("stretchers").