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Masonry and Fine Home Building: Masons are critical core contractors when you want to build a home that lasts.... When you think of masonry, images of masons laying brick and applying mortar to construct a building or wall come to mind. It is true that bricks, stone, concrete blocks and marble were all widely used building materials. Structures built out of these materials can last for centuries and still be seen today.Brick as we are familiar with it is actually fired brick. Fired brick was invented around 300 B.C. as a replacement for sun-dried blocks. The firing process added strength to the bricks and made them more resistant to breaking, because they were denser than sun-dried blocks. Fired brick’s density gives them a higher thermal mass. Thus, they can absorb and store heat during the sunny days and release it during the cooler nights. Masonry contractors have to work with various materials other than just brick. Most masonry contractors have experience in the following: Brick Layers: Brick layers rose in popularity during the Industrial Revolution. They were responsible for building factories, buildings and row homes for their fellow masons and workmen. Brick layers today not only use brick; but concrete blocks, glass blocks and masonry panels. They can build homes, facades, outdoor fireplaces, patios, driveways and more. Stone Mason: Stone masonry is a niche within masonry contractors that goes back many years. Hardly used in residential construction, stone masons will often work on stone facing on commercial or government buildings. The stone masonry trade is a rough and unforgiving trade. They work on some of the hardest materials around; marble, granite and limestone; and they must cut and shape the stone to size. Masonry Materials Brick Face: Until a century ago, brick made up the entire structure’s walls. Today, the walls are usually constructed of wood, concrete block or steel framing. The exterior of the structure or home is then fitted with a masonry screen and brick is laid on this. Fireplaces now also use two types of brick. A coarser brick makes up the interior with a higher quality brick laid on the exterior surfaces. Brick Façades: Brick facades came onto the market as a cheaper alternative to traditional brick in both material and labor. Brick façade is thinner than traditional brick. It is glued to masonry mesh atop a cement board panel. Spaces are left for mortar and when all brick facades are glued, mortar is applied. Brick facades give the appearance of a full brick product at a fraction of the cost, and in a quicker timeframe. Stone Masonry: Stone masonry utilizes real stone and new cultured stone. Cultured stone is manufactured by forming a concrete mix under pressure. You can add various colors via dyes and oxides to create different stone looks. Cultured stone can be used on fireplaces, outdoor living areas, foundations and more. Stone masons use the same technique as in brick-facing, that is attaching it to a masonry screen. Mortar-less Brick: Mortar-less brick is a new trend that mimics the look of brick but does not require any mortar. The brick is actually engineered concrete formed into bricks. There are tabs on each brick allowing for bricks to be stacked and then screwed to the exterior wall. End pieces and corner pieces are also made for a complete finished look. Mortar-less brick will give the appearance of real brick but will not have mortar joints. Glass Block: Glass block came onto the market in the 1930’s and was considered "art-deco". Today glass block is widely used in bathrooms and other first floor areas where privacy is desired without sacrificing the light of a window. The strength of glass block is another benefit, as well as the various shapes and colors it comes in. Landscape Masonry: Landscape masonry has become an industry all it’s own in the past decade. The rise in popularity of outdoor living spaces and creative landscape design has provided masons who specialize in landscaping masonry plenty of business. Retaining walls, pavers, borders, fire pits, outdoor kitchens and more are examples of landscape masonry. |
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