Posts Tagged ‘ masonry project ’

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 Stone Masonry

Choosing the Best Mortar Type for Your Masonry Project

Friday, June 29th, 2018

There are several different types of mortar that you can choose from, so make sure you are picking the best one for your specific masonry project!

With so many types of mortar mixes on the market, it can be difficult to choose which type of mortar will be best for your upcoming masonry project. Whether you are more of a DIY person or you are going to hire a professional, it is still important to understand which mortar types are best for certain kinds of projects. Mortar mixes are classified based on compressive strength, bonding properties, and flexibility. Each kind has a different ratio of cement, lime, and sand. Here are some of the different types of mortar and when you should use them.

Mortar Type N

You should use mortar type N for exterior and above-grade walls that are frequently exposed to severe weather conditions and high heat. This type of mortar has a mid-level compressive strength. It is composed of one part cement, one part lime, and six parts land. This is the perfect type of mortar for soft stone masonry, and it is the mortar that is used the most for general application.

Mortar Type O

Mortar type O has a low compressive strength and is best when used on interior and non-load-bearing walls. It should rarely be used in outdoor areas. It is super consistent and can be easily applied. Best used in interior environments!

Mortar Type S

Mortar type S has a high compressive strength and is ideal to be used for masonry at or below grade. It can fight soil pressure, wind, and even seismic conditions. Mortar type S is great for projects like foundations, manholes, retaining walls, sewers, brick patios, and brick pavements.

Mortar Type M

Mortar type M has the highest percentage of cement in it out of all the mortar types. It is best for heavy loads, foundations, retaining walls, and driveways. Although it is extremely strong, its adhesive properties are poor so it should not be used for sealing. Type M mortar is great when used with stone.

Mortar Type K

Mortar type K is rarely used. It is only necessary when refinishing historic or ancient buildings that require a special mortar mix. It has a very low compressive strength and is very difficult to manage. Mortar type K should never be used for DIY projects.

Contact Del Prete Masonry for Your Next Masonry Project!

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 Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Posted in Mortar

The 5 Types of Bricks: Which is Best for Your Masonry Project?

Friday, June 15th, 2018

Brick is a great material for your masonry project and there are so many different types to choose from!

Brick is a great, classic masonry material that can be used for any building or structure. Bricks are very durable and last a long time with little maintenance, but there are multiple types. Here are the five types of bricks so that you can choose which is best for your masonry project.

Common Burnt Clay

Burnt clay bricks are made by a mold that is pressed in. The bricks are then dried and fired in a kiln to solidify them. These bricks are typically used for general construction work. They have no special appearance, making them pretty generic. Plastering is required to put these bricks into walls.

Sand Lime

A combination of sand, fly ash, and lime are what makes up sand lime bricks. A chemical process is implemented during the mixing of the material and then it’s molded to form the brick. Sand lime bricks are a gray color rather than the typical red, giving your masonry project a unique appearance. Their finish is smoother because it doesn’t require plastering like the burnt clay bricks.

Engineering

What makes engineering bricks different than others is that they are made at extremely high temperatures. This gives them more strength and density. In addition to this, they are also really good at resisting water and chemicals. These bricks are typically used for a specific or special masonry project because they cost more than regular bricks.

Concrete

These bricks are made from solid concrete and are commonly used by homebuilders. They give a building a nice aesthetic, often used for fences and facades. They can be made in a variety of different colors and are best used for a masonry project that is focused on visuals and aesthetics.

Fly Ash Clay

Clay and fly ash are combined to make this type of brick. They are combined and produced at about 1,000 degrees celsius. These bricks are more cost friendly because they cost less to install and require less mortar. The downside to these bricks is that they can tend to expand when water gets into them..

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Next Masonry Project

Posted in Brick

The Steps Involved In The Demolition Process

Friday, May 11th, 2018

Though it seems like tearing down a building is easy, there is actually a lot that goes into the demolition process.

While it may seem like demolishing a building is as easy as just tearing it down, there is actually a lot that goes into the process. The demolition of a building can be dangerous so it is important to plan well and prepare the space. Here are the steps involved in the demolition process.

Creating A Plan

The first step in the demolition process is coming up with a plan. There are different methods of demolition depending on what type of building it is, the material it’s made of, the size of the building, and what it’s near. The goal when creating a plan is to pick the method that is the most efficient, safe, and within budget. Once you’ve decided on a method, the demolition company can figure out what equipment will be needed, how much debris will be left, how long it will take to clean up, etc. You should also include an emergency plan just in case.

Permits

Demolishing a building will inevitably change the landscape and look of that area, which can also have an impact on property value and taxes within that area. Because of this, you are often required to get permits to demolish a building and the requirements for the permit varies depending on the city.

Site Preparation

This is a very important step in the demolition process because you can’t just blow up a building with everything still inside of it. You must clean out the entire building of all objects. In addition, you need to rid of all utilities such as gas and electricity, as well as any hazardous materials. Essentially, you want to rid of any and everything that’s inside.

Demolition

The final step in the demolition process is actually getting rid of the building. Once everything is planned out, you’ve obtained your permits, and prepared the sites, you can successfully carry out the demolition.

Contact Del Prete Masonry For Your Building Demolition Today!

Posted in Demolition

What To Look For In A Professional Masonry Contractor

Monday, April 23rd, 2018

When you are hiring a professional masonry contractor, you want only the best quality!

The most important thing you need to do when preparing for a hardscaping project is find the right professional masonry contractor that will suit all your wants and needs for the project. You have an idea of what you want done, so there is no reason to settle for a professional masonry contractor that will force you to compromise your vision. You want to make sure that all your money spent on the project was worth it, and only the perfect professional masonry contractor can do that for you, and here is what they look like.

License, Insurance, and References

You do not want to hire any professional masonry contractor before knowing more about their background. The best and most experienced contractors will have several references ready for you to prove their superior work, while non-professionals and inexperienced contractors may be more timid to provide you with any. Consulting friends and family on contractors that they know and like is also a good idea, and is a more trusted reference for you personally. They must also have the proper licensing or else that means they are technically working and handling the equipment illegally, which you do not want. Additionally, in case of any damages occurring, you will want to make sure they are insured so that you are not the one paying for their mistakes.

Can Work With Your Budget

Obviously, not everyone has all the money in the world to funnel into their masonry project. This is why it is crucial to find a professional masonry contractor who can work with the budget that you have. This can be done by gathering quotes from different professional masonry contractors so you have an idea as to how much money you will need to spend to get the project done. You need to find the right professional masonry contractor that will fit perfectly within your budget.

Offers Helpful Advice

Just because you have an idea of what you want, does not mean you completely understand how to go about it or design it. If you hire the right professional masonry contractor, they will be able to assist you in bringing life to your ideas. The perfect professional masonry contractor can help you both install your project and help you properly design it, and even give you advice on how to properly maintain it.

Your Preferred Masonry Restoration Professional Is Del Prete Masonry

Posted in Masonry Contractor

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

Posted in Mortar