Posts Tagged ‘ 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 Stonemasonry

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 Stonemasonry

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 Stonemasonry

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 Stonemasonry

Myth Busting – Natural Stone Style

Thursday, June 1st, 2017

Natural stone can be a seamless and beautiful addition to your home.

Natural stone can be a seamless and beautiful addition to your home. A couple weeks ago we talked about granite and this week we are going to talk about four myths surrounding natural stone, and why it makes a wonderful addition to your home. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry

Common Myths About Natural Stone

Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Natural stone is an elegant masonry material that offers a lot of benefits.

Natural stone is an incredibly beautiful and reliable material when it comes to residential and commercial design, but many business and home owners question its practicality. Here are a few common misconceptions about natural stone, and why you might want to consider it for your next project. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Stone Masonry

What Is Masonry Staining?

Thursday, June 30th, 2016

Masonry staining adds flexibility to any masonry project.

Masonry staining is the art and science of transforming the color of masonry with a custom stain solution. Masonry staining is a crucial component of the masonry industry and has empowered architects, owners and project managers to achieve a desired color when designing and building with masonry. With masonry staining traditional color limitations can be overcome and risks associated with a project can be avoided. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Masonry Restoration

Why Use Natural Stone?

Friday, May 13th, 2016

Natural stone adds a sophisticated, natural element to any structure.

When it comes time to plan or build a new structure, many wonder just what materials to use. There are certainly a number of different mediums to choose from, all with their own unique pros, cons, look, and lifespan. Natural stone, however, is an old favorite that’s always worth another look for these, and many other reasons. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore

The Benefits of Stone Walkways

Friday, April 1st, 2016

A natural stone walkway is an elegant and functional addition to your landscaping.

You may have a specific reason why you like stone walkways, but there are actually four huge benefits to having these magnificent walkways installed.

With summer approaching, now is a great time to have a professional masonry contractor work on your landscape before they get too booked. Let’s dive right in and take a look at these four amazing benefits of stone walkways. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry, Stonemasonry

The Benefits of Building a Retaining Wall

Friday, March 11th, 2016

Retaining walls combat erosion, discourage people from walking where you don’t want them to, and add an extra element to your landscaping.

Does part of your property slope towards your home? You may want to build a retaining wall. This is a wall that diverts runoff away from the home to prevent flooding. Plus, it can add a lot of flair to your landscaping! You can keep your lawn looking healthy and even landscape around your retaining wall to make it a focal point. There are several ways that you can benefit from adding a retaining wall to your property. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry