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.
Unfortunately, cracked bricks are more than just eyesores on a home’s exterior. As water and debris get into the cracks, they can compromise a home’s structural integrity while increasing the size of the cracks.
A "sailor" is a brick that is laid vertically on its short end, with its top (or bottom) exposed to the outer face of the wall. A "soldier" is also laid vertically, but with its narrow side exposed.
When you think about landscaping, it’s easy to concentrate on plants and your lawn, but don’t forget how important paths are. The right paths will turn a simple backyard into a well-designed garden, and masonry paths make them look even better.
Using two contrasting colors of mortar in brickwork is known as "Tuckpointing." In this process, one color of mortar matches the bricks, to create an impression of very fine joints.
Have you noticed any cracks in the walls around your house? These should not be left alone, for they can lead to problems in the future. Consult with a masonry professional and have your cracked walls fixed.
In contrast to plastics, vinyl, petro-chemicals and other unnatural building products, masonry is much cleaner. In fact, because masonry is organic, it’s superior both in terms of durability (no material lasts longer) and out-gassing (gas or vapor release through sublimation or evaporation) performance.
Brick is one of the oldest manufactured product, and used in the construction of buildings more than 5,500 years ago. In sun-cured bricks, chopped grass and straw were added to the clay to help them keep their shape and remain stable.
We recognize that not all homebuilders add fireplaces with overall appeal in mind. If your fireplace is a little lackluster in your room, we may be able to give its appearance a boost by adding a different color of brick or natural stone to it.
You may already know masonry bricks are often strengthened through a firing process that removes moisture and increases density. Care to guess the average temperature used to process brick? If you guessed 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, you're right.
In the fourth millennium BC, Mesopotamian masons began building palaces and temples of stone and sun-dried brick. In the third millennium, Egyptian masons helped in the construction of massive stone temples and pyramids.
The oldest type of brick in the Western Hemisphere is the adobe brick. These were made from adobe soil (composed of clay, quartz, and other minerals, and found in dry regions of the world such as Central America, Mexico, and the Southwestern U.S.) and were baked in the sun.
Did you know that, according to the Mason Contractors Association of America, masonry - which is anything made with brick, stone or block - is mold-proof? This is a major benefit to your health, as mold, damp, and mildew can be the cause of all kinds of respiratory and skin issues.
Sun baked clay bricks were among the first manmade masonry materials. Care to guess how long man has been building with brick and stone? If you guessed around 6,000 years or so, you're right.
Masonry with stone can either use natural or manufactured stone. Natural stone is mined, then either cut down into the desired shape or left as-is, such as with river stone. Manufactured stone is made out of cement or concrete and molded to look like stone.
One benefit of using brick siding rather than wood panels is fire protection. Bricks give buildings an increased thermal mask and protect against fires.
Want to make your home stand out from all of the others around it? Custom masonry may be exactly what you need. Whether it’s a brand new chimney, a stone patio, or brick walkways, it’s sure to make your home unique.
As a construction material and method, masonry offers several advantages. Not only is it beautiful, but it also is versatile and durable. Masonry construction is also soundproof, fire resistant, and can hold up to most earthquakes.
To clean your stone finishing, just use a mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and dry it off to bring out the shine. It is best not to use acidic or chemical soaps or cleaning products on your beautiful, natural stone.
Did you know? Cinder and concrete blocks absorb water at rates much lower than brick, making them an ideal choice for basements or areas prone to flooding.
Masonry is a skilled trade that takes many years to learn and even more years to master. Masons are trained to be creative and are highly learned in the arts of patterns, colors, and textures and use their knowledge to create exquisite work.
It’s important to remember that the joys of home ownership don’t have to be overshadowed by the responsibilities of upkeep and repairs. Whether you’ve got issues with your stonework or your concrete patio, we’re always happy to handle repairs.
The first known bricks date back to around 7,500 BC. They were found in the Upper Tigris region of southeastern Turkey, and were made from sun-dried mud.
What famous masonry structure may be visible from low earth orbit? If you guessed the Great Wall of China, you're right. This mammoth structure is 13,171 miles long and took over 200 years to complete.