When people are thinking of masonry materials to be the base of their construction project, they may or may not consider natural stone. But unfortunately, there have been many myths and misconceptions that have put a chip into natural stone’s good image. If you doubt whether natural stone is practical as a masonry material, then here are some of the lies that could have influenced your perception.
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Natural stone is one of the best materials to accent your outdoor space. You might not have considered a number of masonry structures to add to your front or backyard, but a simple stone walkway could be the perfect fit. Here are some reasons why a stone walkway is a great addition to any yard.
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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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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…)
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…)
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…)