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Benefits of Using Stone Masonry for Commercial Buildings & Structures

Friday, February 23rd, 2018

Stone gives your building or structure a timeless look, while also being durable and low maintenance!

Do you have a building project coming up and you’ve been weighing your options on how to get started and what some of the best choices are? Look no further than stone masonry. It’s the choice that will last the longest, look the best, and be the strongest. Here are a few of the benefits for using stone masonry for your commercial buildings and structures.

Aesthetics

Stone masonry provides timeless beauty. Throughout history, these materials and techniques have been used to build some of the world’s best-known monuments and structures, including the Parthenon and the Taj Mahal. It’s known for providing endless options for design, style, size, and type of structure. Stone masonry provides sophistication in an impressive and grand fashion.

Safety

You can trust the security of stone masonry structures. They are not susceptible to melting, burning, or bending. They have incredibly high tolerances for heat, which makes them an ideal choice for brick ovens, fireplaces, and chimneys. The sturdiness is a feature you’ll come to appreciate and trust. You’ll also find that they will withstand high wind and storm conditions. In fact, insurance companies have been known to assign lower premiums for buildings constructed with these materials when compared to others.

Durability

You’ll be impressed by the low maintenance qualities of stone masonry. You’ll never find yourself needing to remove rust or repaint its surface, and you’ll rarely ever need to repair or replace any of the elements of your structure. These damage-resistant materials will usually just require periodic washing to help restore its original beauty.

Bang for Your Buck

Combined with the right insulation materials, stone masonry will actually result in a decrease in your energy expenses. It helps enhance a building’s energy efficiency. In addition, you won’t be spending more money on monthly maintenance as it’s not required. As previously mentioned, you could even see lower premiums from your insurance by using stone masonry. The timeless style will always be trendy so you won’t find yourself needing to replace the structre for something more modern.

Your Preferred Masonry Professional Is Del Prete Masonry

If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at (410)-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Posted in Stone Masonry

Signs That Your Masonry Needs Reparation

Friday, February 16th, 2018

Make sure you know when it is time for masonry reparation!

Your masonry might need reparation if there is seepage or structural damage present. However, how can you identify whether one of those two conditions are occurring? There are many signs, some subtle and some obvious, that your masonry is in need of repair. Here is what you need to know about the signs you might need masonry reparation!

Seepage Problems

Every foundation can slowly seep water into the home through tiny cracks in the basement floor as a result of increased hydrostatic pressure. This can also occur over the foundation wall whenever there are yard drainage problems, grading issues, or poorly sloped exterior hardscaping additions (like sidewalks, patios, and decks). Anything that forces water to flow towards your home instead of away from it can lead to seepage problems on the inside of the home.

Porous Masonry

What is the masonry in your home made from? If the stone used to make your foundation was porous, like unglazed telephone tile or terra cotta, it could cause seepage and foundation problems. Historic district brick foundations are also sometimes made from old clay bricks that can absorb excess water and start to deteriorate. The biggest problem-type of foundation is made from CMU, which is also known as concrete block. This mixture can be very porous if it is not properly made.

Mortar Joints

Mortar joints are also a prime spot for problems with seepage in foundations and masonry, since mortar is simply a mixture of cement and sand. If the masonry has not been repointed in a while, the mortar might be deteriorated to the extent that it cannot keep moisture out from the surface of the bricks adequately. Mortar joints are a very common weak spot in masonry walls, so if you are experiencing seepage and not sure where it’s coming from, there’s a good chance that it’s from them!

Structural Issues

Structural problems can also require a masonry reparation to fix. Lateral pressure as a result of very damp soil can put a great deal of pressure on masonry and lead to structural problems. Whenever expanded soil presses firmly against a masonry wall, there is a potential for pushing the wall in a certain direction and creating a need for masonry reparation.

Your Preferred Masonry Professional Is Del Prete Masonry

Posted in Masonry Restoration

Brick, Block, And Stone, Oh My!

Monday, February 12th, 2018

Stone is a durable material that gives your building or structure a timeless look.

There is a lot of thought that goes into constructing a new building. Whether it be a brand new commercial building or restoration to make your business pop, you have a lot of decisions to make. The first starts with what material you are going to use for your next masonry project. The three most common ones are brick, concrete block, and stone. Here is some information on the three that will help make your masonry decisions easier.

Brick

Brick is an eco-friendly material since it is made from some of the Earth’s most available materials, shale and clay. It is both long lasting and durable, so you do not have to worry about your building or structure being easily damaged. They require very little maintenance as the color of bricks doesn’t really fade. They are weather resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the wind knocking them out of place. The downside to brick is that it is held together by mortar, which Is not as durable. The mortar needs to be tended to every so often because otherwise it could cause damage to your bricks. There also isn’t much design variation for your masonry project with this option, as most bricks have a standard color and shape.

Block

Concrete block has an interesting advantage over the rest in that it repels insects. Buildings made with these blocks tend to have fewer insect infestations. While brick is pretty weather resistant, block is known to resist huge natural disasters. They can withstand hurricane winds, tornadoes, and most earthquakes. It is also fire resistant so if your building does happen to catch fire, there is a lower chance it will collapse and sustain extensive damage. There are a variety of different finishes you can use with blocks, so you have more versatility in its design than with bricks. On the flip side, water can seep through block more so than other materials. With this material, you might have to do some waterproofing and assure that your building has proper drainage.

Stone

Stone is also a very durable material like the other two. It gives a building a very luxurious look and works well combined with other construction materials. It is a material that will never go out of style, giving your building or structure a timeless look. Stone is ideal for warm climates because it is a naturally cool material, so it will keep the interior of a building cooler. You can use local stone for your masonry project to save money and give it a unique element that another structure may not have. The disadvantage of stone is that the installation requires a lot more time and effort. This makes it more expensive since more work goes into it. Since it is naturally cool, that’s a disadvantage for when the cold weather rolls around because your building will likely be colder as well.

Your Preferred Masonry Professional Is Del Prete Masonry

Posted in Stone Masonry

The Process of Repairing and Repointing a Wall

Wednesday, January 31st, 2018

Whenever you have a wall that needs a little tender loving care (or mortar), it’s time to call in a repointing expert.

Repointing a brick wall is a straightforward process, but without the right supplies and process, it’s not all that easy at all! Whenever you have a wall that needs a little tender loving care (or mortar), it’s time to call in a repointing expert. Here’s what you need to know about repairing and repointing a wall. (more…)

Posted in Brick

How We Cut and Replace Brick Joints

Friday, January 26th, 2018

Masonry specialists can cut and replace brick joints professionally.

Sometimes, even though you take care of the brick around your home or business, repairs need to be done. In fact, one of the most common repairs is repointing brick joints where mortar disintegrates or around loose or cracked bricks. Letting damaged or eroded mortar go unrepaired can cause a whole host of problems, mostly from water damage that can impact your interior wall if your home’s exterior is brick. Repointing your bricks can extend the life of your home siding, patio, stairs, or walls and here is how the job gets done right: (more…)

Posted in Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Masonry Restoration

Understanding Masonry Restoration

Friday, January 19th, 2018

Masonry Restoration is a true necessity in some cases.

Masonry restoration is an important process that keeps historic buildings and new buildings in great condition. While many people assume that repointing a brick wall is the same as restoration, that’s simplifying the process a little bit too much! Here is what you should know to fully understand masonry restoration. (more…)

Posted in Masonry Contractor, Masonry Restoration, Stone Masonry

The Cold Weather Masonry Tips That Could Help

Friday, January 12th, 2018

Masonry work is a specialized field already, and it requires incredible attention when the temperatures drop like this.

This week has brought a cold upon us for an extended period of time, and we’ve really never experienced anything like it. Meteorologists are calling it the “bomb cyclone,” which is just a cool name in itself. But what that means is that an unprecedented amount of arctic air has been pushed over the Mid-Atlantic. While temperatures won’t always consistently stay in the teens, we are officially in winter, and the air is as cold as can be. With that said, it’s important to understand how the winter weather can impact masonry. Masonry work is a specialized field already, and it requires incredible attention when the temperatures drop like this. The cold air can cause the mortar itself to expand, and that could lead to cracking. There are plenty of different techniques to follow when it comes to masonry work during this time period. (more…)

Posted in Masonry Construction, Masonry Contractor

Finding The Best Brick Pattern For Your Project

Friday, January 5th, 2018

The pattern of brick you choose can really shape the outcome of your project.

If you’re thinking of laying brick for your next outdoor project, you already know how versatile, classic-looking, and durable it can be for your walkways, driveways, or patios. However, choosing the right pattern can be a daunting task, as you’ll have it as a permanent installation in your decor. Before you commit to a pattern, check out these 5 brick patterns and see what could do best for your project. (more…)

Posted in Brick, Brick Patterns

Monument Signs and Their Value in Business Marketing

Friday, December 22nd, 2017

Monument signs, like the one we did for Johns Hopkins, are great ways to promote your business or organization.

We all know that effective marketing is invaluable to a business, but one of the best marketing tools is signage outside of your location. Since there are so many types of signs, it can be difficult to choose which one is right for your business. If you’re looking for a versatile and sophisticated look to your signage, you may want to consider a monument sign to draw customers to your business. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Why You Need Limestone in Your Design

Friday, December 15th, 2017

Of all the types of stone available for your monument or commercial sign, consider adding limestone to your design.

Of all the types of stone available for your monument or commercial sign, consider adding limestone to your design. It’s made from pressurized sediment found under the sea and is a great natural material. You’ll find it to be incredibly durable and available in many different colors. As a very versatile material, adding it to your design will create impact that will turn heads. (more…)

Posted in Limestone