Discover the benefits of combining stone and brick masonry!
In commercial construction, combining stone and brick offers a timeless and durable aesthetic that appeals to business owners and customers. When thoughtfully blended, these materials can create striking contrasts, enhance visual interest, and communicate a sense of quality and permanence. At DelPrete Masonry, we help commercial clients design structures that stand out by expertly mixing and matching stone and brick. Here’s how to integrate these materials into your building design for maximum impact.
Create Visual Contrast
One of the most effective ways to mix stone and brick in a commercial building is to use them to create visual contrast. Brick often provides a uniform, smooth surface, while stone introduces more texture and irregularity. By placing these two materials side by side, you can highlight key architectural features, such as entryways, columns, or accent walls. This contrast adds dimension and helps direct attention to important areas of the building, such as a grand entrance or retail storefront.
Consider Color Coordination
When mixing stone and brick, it’s important to choose colors that complement each other. Stone comes in a wide range of natural hues, from cool grays to warm earth tones, while brick can be found in shades of red, brown, and beige. To create harmony, select brick and stone materials that share similar undertones. For example, a warm red brick pairs well with a sandstone with hints of gold or tan. On the other hand, gray stone may complement neutral or darker brick tones for a more modern, sleek appearance. Balancing the colors of both materials ensures the final design is cohesive and visually appealing.
Use Stone for Accents and Brick for Structure
In many commercial building designs, brick is the primary structural material, while stone is used as an accent. This approach makes practical sense, as brick provides a solid, reliable base for large buildings, and stone can be incorporated in critical areas for aesthetic appeal. Consider using stone for lower portions of walls, around windows and doors, or as decorative trim. This highlights certain aspects of the building and adds an air of sophistication and craftsmanship.
Define Spaces with Material Transitions
Stone and brick can also be used strategically to define different areas within a commercial structure. For example, in a mixed-use building, stone might be used on the ground floor to signal a retail or public space, while brick could be applied on the upper levels, where offices or residential areas are located. This subtle shift in materials helps delineate the purpose of different spaces within the building, providing both functional and aesthetic clarity.
Ensure Structural Integrity
When combining stone and brick in a commercial project, it’s essential to ensure that both materials are properly integrated for long-term structural integrity. Stone and brick have different properties in terms of weight, durability, and thermal expansion, so they must be installed in a way that accounts for these differences. This is where the expertise of experienced masons becomes invaluable. At DelPrete Masonry, we ensure that your mixed-material design looks great and is built to last.
CONTACT DEL PRETE MASONRY TODAY!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: brick, masonry construction, stone masonry