Archive for the ‘ Stone Masonry ’ Category

3 Environmentally-Friendly Reasons to Invest in Natural Stone

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

Natural stone is an eco-friendly material that gives any building or structure an elegant, timeless look!

Creating a beautiful, welcoming environment in your landscape is something almost everyone wants to achieve. Why not take it a step further and make it low impact too? Taking sustainability into account while designing your home landscape is something that can help take your space over the top. Not only is sustainability important for the planet, but it offers plenty of other benefits such as long term usage, financial benefits, and in the case of natural stone, aesthetic advantages. Opting for natural stone in your landscape is an investment, but it’s one that comes with many different benefits. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry

Reasons to Use Stonemasonry in Your Next Project

Thursday, May 9th, 2019

Stonemasonry brings a number of benefits to the table.

If you are considering a major remodel or an addition, then you should strongly consider using stonemasonry in your construction project. Stonemasonry brings a number of benefits to the table.

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Posted in Stone Masonry

The Benefits of a Natural Stone Patio

Monday, March 25th, 2019

Whether your yard is a blank canvas of open grass or some of its walkway features need an update from the previous homeowner, your yard and home could benefit from a new patio. With so many options, choosing what’s right for your patio may seem like a difficult decision. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why natural stone could be the perfect fit for your patio.

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Posted in Stone Masonry

Using Natural Stone in New Construction

Friday, January 4th, 2019

The possibilities are endless when using natural stone in your new construction project.

There are many options available when it comes to choosing building materials for your new construction. They each come with their own set of pros and cons. Natural stone is one that has a list of pros that far outweigh the cons. Some people see this material as being heavy and inflexible, but the opposite is true. The possibilities are endless when using natural stone in your new construction project. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry

Which Type of Natural Stone Masonry is Best for Your Next Project?

Friday, October 5th, 2018

Natural stone masonry adds a classic, elegant look to any building or structure!

Obviously, with any hardscaping project, there is a large amount of planning that goes into it. You have to choose a location in your landscape for the project, materials to use, and figure out what exactly you are trying to add to your yard. It is always a good idea to consider adding taste of natural stone masonry to your landscape. If you already know that you are opting for a project involving natural stone masonry, then the only questions really left to ask is, which type of natural stone masonry? Well, there are two main types of natural stone masonry: rubble and ashlar. Hopefully some light can be shed as to which one is right for you.

Rubble masonry

Rubble masonry is one of the oldest kinds of natural stone masonry. This type of natural stone masonry takes advantage of undressed stones whose appearance reminds you of building rubble for design purposes. It is not the most structurally sound form of natural stone masonry, but it is a fantastic way to draw in one’s eyes to the structure.

One type of rubble masonry is random rubble masonry. This form of natural stone masonry uses cheap, undressed, raw materials that can fit properly together when hammered together. There is also square rubble masonry that takes the rough-hewn look of rubble masonry and squares the face stones of the natural stone masonry project.

Ashlar masonry

Ashlar masonry is the more expensive type of natural stone masonry between the two. The price is well paid though as it utilizes dressed stones, lined up parallel to one another to create a refined, structurally sound shape. This is done similar to a traditional brick structure, as the stones are leveled amongst one another, and then laid in either cement or lime mortar.

A popular form of ashlar masonry is the rough tooled style. This manner of ashlar masonry smooths out the sides and beds while making the face rougher to make it more eye-catching with its coarse surface. There is also chambered ashlar masonry which can create an added dimension to your natural stone masonry that other masonry styles cannot quite replicate.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Construction Needs!

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

The Benefits of Using Natural Stone for Your Masonry Project

Friday, August 24th, 2018

Natural stone is an eco-friendly material that gives any building or structure an elegant, timeless look!

When it comes to your next construction project, there are a lot of masonry materials available to give your building or structure a timeless look and a long lifespan. Deciding which material to use can be tough, but it is a really important decision to make. Natural stone is one of nature’s creations and adds a beautiful look to any building. Here are the benefits of using natural stone for your masonry project.

Environmentally Friendly

Most construction materials are synthetic, but natural stone is simply a product of the earth. Using this material for your masonry project doesn’t require any type of energy use or power to create it. This means that absolutely no pollution is generated when natural stone is create, which definitely helps to reduce your carbon footprint. Natural stone also has a thermal mass that allows it to naturally insulate, meaning you will save some money on those costly energy bills.

Durability

When it comes to your construction project, you want the materials used to be sturdy so that the building or structure lasts for years to come. Natural stone is great for this because it is essentially a rock, which are known to have indestructible qualities. Stone is able to withstand all types of weather elements including hail, winds, snow, and even fire and extreme heat. When you use it for interior elements, it isn’t easily scratched or burned.

Healthy Option

Because natural stone isn’t made from any synthetic materials or harsh chemicals, it is also a better option health wise. When you are using natural stone for a building or for interior structures, it helps to lower our chances of ingesting dangerous chemicals. This is something we may not even think twice about most of the time, but ingesting chemicals from construction materials can have long-term health effects.

Saves Money

Natural stone will definitely be quite a big investment initially, being one of the more expensive material options. However, it is well worth the investment and can actually end up saving you money in the long run. Because of its durability, you don’t have to worry about repairing a lot of damages or replacing your structures. A cheaper material may save you money initially, but it can really start to add up later when you have to constantly pay for repairs. In addition, breathing in harsh chemicals from synthetic materials can lead to a few doctors trips, which surely aren’t cheap. Investing in natural stone decreases the possibility of both of these scenarios occurring.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Next Construction Project!

Posted in Stone Masonry

Why You Should Use Stonemasonry for Your Next Project

Friday, June 22nd, 2018

Stonemasonry is a very heat resistant material, making it great for fireplaces and chimneys!

When it comes to any construction project, the materials you decide to use make a big difference in the finished product. You want to choose high quality materials that also match the aesthetic you want. Stonemasonry is a great building material that will suit all of your construction needs. Here is why you should use stonemasonry for your next project.

Beauty

Stone provides a timeless, beautiful look to any building or structure. The sophisticated aesthetic of stonemasonry makes it great for any construction project. Stonemasonry is also versatile so there are a variety of design options you can choose from that will match your personal style.

Safety

Stonemasonry is one of the safest and most durable building materials you will come across. It has a very high heat tolerance, making it good for things like chimneys and fireplaces. It is also very wind resistant so it holds up well in harsh weather conditions. Oftentimes, the high safety quality of stonemasonry will lead insurance companies to charge less for stone versus other materials.

Low-Maintenance

Because of how sturdy stonemasonry is, there isn’t too much maintenance required. Stone doesn’t rust or require re-painting as time goes on. Repairs are typically minimal and your stone building or structure will rarely ever need replacing. This minimizes the amount of material that goes to waste, making it more environmentally-friendly.

Cost-Effective

Stonemasonry itself can be a pretty costly investment initially. However, it will save you a lot of money over time. As mentioned before, stone is a very durable material so you won’t be spending a lot of money on maintaining it, as well as the decreased insurance costs. In addition to this, stonemasonry can be combined with various insulation products that makes it energy efficient. This helps to decrease those costly monthly energy bills.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Next Construction Project!

Posted in Stone Masonry

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

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

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

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