Masonry is one of the oldest skilled trades in the world, dating as far back as six thousand years ago. But, it is also one of the most misunderstood professions. Masonry structures are durable and strong, withstanding weather and even natural disasters. Understanding more about masonry will help you select the ideal material for your next project. Here is a helpful guide to the basics of masonry.
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Masonry is one of the oldest forms of craftsmanship still used today. It is a great way to add elegance and sophistication to any building. With its durability and longevity, it is popular with countless homeowners. Many different types of stone masonry are used in construction. Let’s look at some of the types of stone masonry so you can make an educated decision for your next project.
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Signage is one of the most effective ways to advertise your business to potential customers. Studies have shown that almost 50% of customers choose companies based on their outdoor signs. Monument signs, for instance, are a great way of capturing the attention of passersby. A monument sign sits at eye level and is usually constructed from stone, brick, stucco, or foam. Monument signs are popular due to their design and sophistication. Let’s look at some of the benefits of monument signs for your business.
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For centuries, masons have relied on bricks and stones for constructing durable buildings that were meant to last for decades. A material like concrete masonry is low-maintenance and lasts for the long term. When concrete is torn down, it can be recycled and reused for new building projects. That means you may be able to reuse existing concrete masonry or choose sustainable products that are made from recycled concrete. Here are a few ways stone masonry promotes sustainability.
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Stone is one of the more expensive masonry materials, known for its timeless look and durability!
Masonry is the act of building and constructing with the use of stone materials. These masonry materials serve as the backbone of many crucial constructions such as buildings, walls, and various pieces of hardscaping. What masonry materials are the most commonly used and best ones to use for masonry projects? Here are four of the most common types of masonry materials.
If you are looking for more aesthetically pleasing masonry materials, then stone may be exactly what you need. Stone is a classic, timeless look for masonry materials, which makes it perfect if you desire stylish masonry materials for your project. It is also a durable, low maintenance material to work with after your project is done. It is damage-resistant which helps with its great durability.
Concrete is one of the most common types of masonry materials you will find. For starters, it is among the cheaper masonry materials to work with, which makes it desirable for bigger projects. Concrete also carries with it a high insulation factor, which can help cut the utility costs for the building it is used for. It is also made more common due to the fact that it allows for construction to go along faster that other masonry materials.
Much like stone, stucco is one of the most highly durable masonry materials. Its high damage resistance will allow for it to last for a considerable amount of time without worry. However, stucco is not without its drawbacks. There are concerns for stucco that other masonry materials do not need to worry about. For example, there is the concern that moisture could accumulate on downward slopes in the stone. Additionally, construction can very easily get messy when dealing with stucco.
Brick is another common masonry material that is often found amongst masonry projects. Brick has always been preferred to other masonry materials for well suited reasons. It is a special type of masonry material considering that it has been used for centuries without ever really disappearing. This is partly because it is both wind and fire resistant, as well as controls moisture quite well. It is low maintenance, but it should be noted that when repairs are needed, they can be costly. Their weight can also place quite a bit of stress on the structures they are used for, which you should keep an eye out for.
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.
You want to repair any damage to your brick masonry as soon as you come across it.
Over time, even the best brickwork needs repairs due to a variety of reasons including weather and the nature of the ground beneath your masonry. The dirt underneath your masonry will naturally move due to erosion and the weight of the materials on top. As this happens the masonry of your brickwork may crack. While this is common, it still needs to be dealt with quickly so that larger problems don’t occur. If you’re concerned that your brick masonry needs work, we’ve compiled a list of signs to look for.
If you live in an area that experiences frequent freezing, you may notice the signs of bulging bricks, or what’s known as frost boil. This occurs when moisture seeps behind your brick masonry and softens the backing causing the bricks to either be pushed out or pulled in. To fix this, a mason will need to remove the affected bricks and treat the underlying cause before laying new bricks.
When it comes to cracks, some happen naturally. If they occur at a vertical or less than 30º angle, there is no threat of collapse. However, these cracks can still affect your brick masonry and need to be filled with an epoxy or urethane to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rainfall or from moisture freezing within over the winter.
A compacted brick is easy to spot because it will no longer be in its original shape. It may appear severely cracked or bowed and can allow water to breach the wall and cause significant damage. Often, if there is one compacted brick there will be others because the pressure that results from a compacted brick can affect those around it. If this happens you will need to replace the affected areas and potentially add spikes called push piers to your foundation for extra support.
If the mortar between the bricks begins to dissolve or buckle, it can cause dangerous side effects. When mortar wears away bricks begin to rub against each other causing damage and warping. It also puts you at risk of having the foundations become dangerous. If this happens you will need a mason to remove as much of the old mortar as possible before adding new mortar.
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.
When you are hiring a professional masonry contractor, you want only the best quality!
The most important thing you need to do when preparing for a hardscaping project is find the right professional masonry contractor that will suit all your wants and needs for the project. You have an idea of what you want done, so there is no reason to settle for a professional masonry contractor that will force you to compromise your vision. You want to make sure that all your money spent on the project was worth it, and only the perfect professional masonry contractor can do that for you, and here is what they look like.
You do not want to hire any professional masonry contractor before knowing more about their background. The best and most experienced contractors will have several references ready for you to prove their superior work, while non-professionals and inexperienced contractors may be more timid to provide you with any. Consulting friends and family on contractors that they know and like is also a good idea, and is a more trusted reference for you personally. They must also have the proper licensing or else that means they are technically working and handling the equipment illegally, which you do not want. Additionally, in case of any damages occurring, you will want to make sure they are insured so that you are not the one paying for their mistakes.
Obviously, not everyone has all the money in the world to funnel into their masonry project. This is why it is crucial to find a professional masonry contractor who can work with the budget that you have. This can be done by gathering quotes from different professional masonry contractors so you have an idea as to how much money you will need to spend to get the project done. You need to find the right professional masonry contractor that will fit perfectly within your budget.
Just because you have an idea of what you want, does not mean you completely understand how to go about it or design it. If you hire the right professional masonry contractor, they will be able to assist you in bringing life to your ideas. The perfect professional masonry contractor can help you both install your project and help you properly design it, and even give you advice on how to properly maintain it.
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.
Masonry cracks may seem minor at first, but they can expand and become a big, costly problem.
Even the most well-made masonry can occasionally crack, and while most of us are content to leave a few seemingly cosmetic issues, it’s important to repair any cracks as quickly as possible. Even the smallest masonry cracks can lead to serious, costly repairs down the line. Why not take a few precautions and save yourself some time and energy in the long run?
If you have a wall crack of less than 1/16th of an inch, your fix is fairly simple. After carefully cleaning out the crack, use a gel or cream adhesive with either butyl rubber or silicone rubber. These are sold at most hardware stores in tube format labeled as caulking compounds. Using a small brush with stiff bristles apply the caulking mixture straight from the tube, using the brush to ensure that the entire crack is filled.
When you have a larger crack or one that is frequently walked on, caulking is not the best option. Caulking in high traffic areas can result in the caulking getting disrupted, making it a less than optimal repair method. For these repairs you’ll need to pick up patching cement, which is made from a mix of cement, sand and is reinforced with vinyl. This type of cement is typically sold as a powder to be mixed with water. When applied in layers, this will perfectly patch narrow cracks.
In the event of a large wall crack, you may want to contact your masonry company for professional help. You will want to ensure your wall is still in serviceable condition before putting forth the effort of patching it. Large cracks can be repaired easily enough, however you’ll want to make sure it’s not indicative of a larger problem before you patch it. Once you’ve had it looked over, you can pick up some sand-patching cement to begin your repair. It’s important to note that areas patched with this method need to be over a half inch deep and of a significant size. To start, clean out the area of the crack. You’ll want to chisel out the interior, removing any crumbling areas, while making the interior wider than the opening so that the cement can get a better grip. Make sure to remove any dirt and dampen the crack before applying the cement.
When it comes to large masonry cracks in driveways, steps, or pavement a mix of simple powdered concrete is all you’ll need to make the repair. Simply mix the concrete according to the directions, pour it into the cracked area and use boards or etc. to hold it in place as it hardens.
If you need help fixing cracked masonry, 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.
Concrete block will save you time, energy, and money!
When it comes to planning your next masonry project you have plenty of options for material. But, if you’re looking for something that will save you time, energy, and money while maintaining aesthetic, you want concrete block. Concrete block is known for its durability and is particularly useful in areas with weather risks, but its advantages go far beyond just that.
Compared to many other materials, concrete block is easy to manufacture, meaning you save almost 25% in cost when compared to the same amount of brick. As the main competitor, brick uses significantly more natural materials and energy to produce. Meaning the cost is high both in environmental impact and budget.
With a little waterproofing (depending on the project) concrete block will stand the test of time. Although it does allow some water to seep through on its own, concrete block will not be undermined by moisture alone. It also can’t rust, rot, and will not weaken over time. To clean, all you need is a simple broom or in severe cases, a power washer will have your concrete block project looking good as new.
As one of the most durable materials on earth, examples of ancient concrete structures from thousands of years ago are still intact. When concrete block is installed and bonded properly, it will last for generations. Your structure will look as good as new for a long time to come.
Along with the energy saved in its construction, depending on what you’re using it for, concrete block can be even more environmentally friendly. Buildings made with insulated concrete wall systems will have approximately 25% lower heating and cooling costs. When using this material, the interior of your structure will be less subject to daily temperature fluctuations.
Regardless of the aesthetic you want, the flexibility of concrete means your imagination is your limit. Whether you want one story or three, simple doors or elegant archways, concrete is there to get the job done.
If you want to learn more about how concrete block is the perfect choice for your next project, 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.
You want the mortar used for your masonry project to be workable and strong.
Mortar is what is used to hold together brick, stone, and concrete masonry, making it a very important material. You want to make sure that the best quality of mortar is being used because you want your building to last as long as possible without needing any repairs. There are a few important properties of mortar that you should consider when deciding which type to use for your masonry project. Here are three important properties of mortar.
This is probably the most important property of mortar because you have to be able to manipulate it the way you want for it to work. When looking for work-ability, you want to look for one that spreads easily with the trowel and supports the weight of the masonry units. You want it to stick easily to the surfaces of the masonry and it should protrude from the joint when pressure is applied. If the mortar is workable, it will make for a much easier masonry project.
This property comes into play after the mortar has hardened. If it doesn’t bond well, your masonry units could being to separate from one another. The two components that measure bond are the extent-of-bond and bond strength. The extent-of-bond is the measure of the contact area of the mortar and masonry unit. The bond strength measures the stress required to break the bond.
The rate at which the mortar stiffens and dries is also important. Stiffening is caused by loss of moisture. The rate of stiffening should be high initially so that the construction process moves at a reasonable pace. If the stiffening rate is too low, the mortar will squeeze out as time goes on, resulting in varied thickness and distortion of the masonry. If it’s too quick, however, the masonry could crack. Things like climate and the material that you are using impact how fast or slow the stiffening rate should be.
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.