Learn more about the sustainable benefits of brick and stone masonry.
If you’re considering a new construction project, like a custom home or another new building, you’re probably looking for ways to make your project sustainable. Even if sustainability isn’t your primary goal, sustainable options are often better, more cost-effective choices in the long run. So when folks look for sustainable options, they often assume that those will be new technologies or products. Can something as long-established as masonry really be a sustainable option? Of course, it can! Brick and stone masonry is a highly durable construction technique, which is a type of sustainability on its own (since you don’t need to repair or replace the materials constantly). Brink and stone masonry is also energy-efficient. Let’s look at the three significant ways brick and stone masonry is a sustainable construction method.
Materials Are Typically Locally Sourced
Typically, brick and stone masonry are locally sourced, which is a much more sustainable choice than materials that must be shipped in from elsewhere. Shipping materials from around the world gives you many options but also has a substantial environmental impact. Using locally-sourced materials creates fewer emissions with the work, and you likely also help local economies. Locally-sourced materials also blend in more with the environment so the building does not look out of place.
Materials Are Recyclable
Stone and brick are both recyclable and reusable. Most building codes don’t allow for the reuse of construction material (though that is changing in some ways). However, stone and brick are largely permitted to be reused. This means that a new construction project might not need to source new bricks or stones if another building is torn down (and the weathered aesthetic doesn’t hurt either). Bricks and stones can also be crushed and used to create other materials, like concrete or backfill. Crushed stone or brick can also be used for landscaping applications. Since the materials are both reusable and recyclable, they are very sustainable.
Masonry Helps Regulate Building Temperature
Finally, the thermal mass of the bricks can help regulate the internal temperature of the building. Thermal mass refers to how the material absorbs and re-radiates heat. Brick and stone masonry are high-density materials that absorb heat readily but release it slowly. In an area where temperatures fluctuate rapidly, this can help the internal parts of the building to remain at a relatively stable temperature: in a brick home, the bricks absorb the heat during the day (but hold it so that it doesn’t transfer inside and heat up the house), then by nighttime, the slow release of the stored heat helps to keep the home warm.
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, stone masonry, sustainable construction