Posts Tagged ‘ commercial masonry ’

The Benefits Of Using Concrete Block For Your Masonry Project

Monday, April 9th, 2018

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.

Decrease Your Construction Budget

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.

Easy Maintenance

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.

Improved Durability

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.

Save Energy

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.

Flexibility to Design

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.

Start Your Project Today With Del Prete Masonry

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.

Posted in Concrete

3 Important Properties Of Mortar

Friday, March 30th, 2018

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.

Workability

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.

Bond

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.

Stiffening Rate

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.

Your Preferred Masonry Contractor 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 Mortar

3 Types of Brick Walls Available for Your Commercial Property

Monday, March 12th, 2018

There are a variety of different types of brick that you can use for your commercial building.

If you’re thinking of installing a brick wall on your commercial property, you probably have a particular purpose in mind. There are different types, or categories, of brick walls you can build, all with their own strengths. As with all projects, maintaining and repairing your wall and paying attention to cracks, loose bricks, or other types of brick deterioration is critical to the longevity of your project. However, ensuring that you have the correct type of wall for your needs will lessen the amount of work to maintain. Consider these three categories of brick walls you can build on your property: (more…)

Posted in Brick, Brick Patterns

What Types Of Demolition Are There?

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

The ball and crane method is one of the oldest and most used types of demolition.

A lot of times, we are so focused on what goes into building something up that we don’t think about what goes into tearing it down. It seems like it would be a simple, one step solution to demolishing a building. However, there are quite a few different options when it comes to demolition and it is important that you choose the best one for your building when it’s time to take it down. Here are a few types of demolition so that you are aware of your options.

Implosion

The implosion demolition method is pretty similar to what is sounds like, which is an explosion, but inward instead of outward. It is very important that the building is assessed carefully to determine what type of explosives to use and where to place them. They must be timed correctly as well to ensure that everything goes smoothly. They use enough explosives to get rid of the vertical structural supports, hence forcing the res of the building to collapse.

High Reach Arm

This demolition method is done using a machine and is considered high reach when it reaches over 20 meters. The machine can be equipped with different tools depending the characteristics of the building. The first way of setting up this machine Is to use a base that is typically something like an excavator or a tank and attaching it to a demolition arm. The second way is to attach a tool such as shears, or crushers to the base machine. This method is most commonly used for masonry and steel.

Crane And Ball

One of the oldest and mostly used demolition methods, the crane and ball is probably what you have seen portrayed in a lot of movies. This method uses a wrecking ball that could be an upwards of 13,500 pounds to get rid of masonry and concrete structures. They will either drop the ball onto the building or swing it into the building. This method comes with a lot of dust and noise. For concrete structures, there are extra steps that need to be taken to finish out the demolition process. Only highly skilled crane operators should carry out this task because if the target is missed, it can cause the entire crane to tip over or could potentially hit the wrong thing.

Call Del Prete Masonry Today

Whether you want to demolish a building or construct an entirely new one with professional masonry installation, 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 Demolition

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

4 Reasons Why Brick is the Best

Friday, July 14th, 2017

Commercial brick is one of the most charming exterior materials available on the market.

Commercial brick is one of the most charming exterior materials available on the market. Whether you have commercial brick in need of restoration or are looking to spruce up your commercial property with masonry, here are four of the reasons why brick is the best. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick

How to Tell If Your Foundation Needs Repair

Wednesday, August 10th, 2016

Uneven mortar could be a sign that your foundation is settling.

The foundation of a building is crucial to its structural integrity, so it’s imperative that you put in the time to maintain it. A number of issues can arise with foundations, ranging from water seeping through cracks to crumbling walls. Damaged foundations can cause settlement, in which a building sinks into the ground over the course of years. Here’s a few things you should watch out for. (more…)

Posted in Brick

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 Your Business Needs Custom Stone Signage

Thursday, June 23rd, 2016

A stone sign demonstrates confidence in your business.

Many businesses often overlook the need for creating a custom, unique sign. A business sign is more than just a way for your customers to locate your company. Custom stone signage distinguishes your business from competitors and promotes your brand. A good sign can help plant the seeds for future sales and client relations. If you’re planning to start a new business investing in custom stone signage should be a key consideration.

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Posted in Stone Masonry