Archive for the ‘ Blog ’ Category

Beautiful Stone Masonry Signs Set the Tone for Your Business

Thursday, September 24th, 2015

Do you know what looks tacky? A flimsy plastic sign to advertise your business. Or even worse, a flashy electronic marquee sign with bright red, scrolling text. Those signs are fine to catch someone’s attention, but wouldn’t you prefer a more timeless sign with longevity and class? You want to choose a sign that will last forever, not show signs of wear, and look great out in front of your business. Send the right message to your clients with a beautiful stone masonry sign.

Send the right message to your clients with a beautiful stone masonry sign.

Why Opt for Stone Masonry Signs?

If you’re from the Baltimore area, you’ve probably seen one of our superior signs out and about. We are most proud of our signs out in front of Johns Hopkins University and M&T Bank Stadium, for example. Send the right message about your business by choosing a stone masonry sign. Here are some other reasons to choose stone masonry signs: (more…)

Posted in Blog

The Top 4 Commercial Masonry Demolition Methods

Thursday, September 17th, 2015

So it’s finally time for your old masonry structure to go. It’s old, it’s crumbling, it’s ugly – and it’s past the time for restoration. You’ve called Del Prete Masonry for help and now you’re wondering just how we will go about demolishing your structure or building. Well, there are four different ways we might go about it. Demolition methods will vary depending on several factors: the area the demolition will occur, the building material, the demolition’s purpose, and the method that debris must be disposed. Find out what method we will use to demolish your masonry structure in this week’s blog.

Demolition methods will vary depending on several factors: the area the demolition will occur, the building material, the demolition’s purpose, and the method that debris must be disposed.

Masonry Demolition Methods

Implosion

Perhaps the most “fun” demolition method, implosion involves the use of explosives to eliminate the critical vertical structure supports. A blaster crew will need to first assess the structure to identify what areas need to be blasted, what type of explosives to use, and how to time the detonations. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Demolition

5 Things You Never Knew about Granite!

Tuesday, September 8th, 2015

We know that granite has a rich history, but generally, we don’t know much else.

You aren’t going to get quizzed on any of this if you’re using granite in a masonry project, but it’s fun just to learn and appreciate the history of this natural stone. We narrowed down five interesting facts for all of you granite enthusiasts.

You aren’t going to get quizzed on any of this if you’re using granite in a masonry project, but it’s fun just to learn and appreciate the history of this natural stone.

1. Granite’s Long History

Since granite is a natural stone, and it has been used as a building material for several centuries. Most people don’t realize that granite is an igneous rock, which means it was formed by volcanic activity. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Granite

4 Benefits of Constructing with Marble

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

Using marble in a construction project can stretch a few budgets, but the benefits outweigh the initial price tag and provide a solid return on your investment.

If you’re about to embark on a new construction project, let’s take a look at the many benefits of using marble as your main resource.

If you’re about to embark on a new construction project, let’s take a look at the many benefits of using marble as your main resource.

Heat Resistance

Some construction materials have a hard time dealing with the heat. The sun’s rays can actually start to wear down certain materials, and you also may have to deal with the material being hot to the touch on especially blistering days. When marble is used in a project, however, it’s beneficial because it offers uniformity in the temperature levels throughout a home, building or other structure. In the summer, marble allows for a naturally cooler temperature than structures not made from marble. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Marble

How to Properly Clean Your Stone Building

Monday, August 24th, 2015

A balancing act is required when cleaning a stone building. You want to improve the aesthetics of your property, but you also need to make sure that the cleaning agents will not damage the structure and integrity of the stone.

Cleaning a stone building is not a simple project, and there are many important nuances to consider before embarking on a big project.

Stone Buildings and Abrasive Cleaning

Abrasive cleaning normally offers a quick turnaround through sandblasting and other methods to remove dirt and old paint. Unfortunately, abrasive cleaning can erode the structure and foundation of the building material. For something as historic as stone buildings, abrasive cleaning can generally cause more harm to the aesthetics and structure than good. Ornamental stone is at great risk of becoming damaged when excessive abrasive cleaning tactics are implemented. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Stone Masonry

Benefits of Using Stone to Construct Buildings

Friday, August 21st, 2015

Stone can be a beautiful way to construct or just accent your buildings and other structures. But what makes it advantageous over other building materials like brick, for example? The following are five reasons to consider using stone as the material for your next building:

Stone can be a beautiful way to construct or just accent your buildings and other structures. But what makes it advantageous over other building materials like brick, for example?

Advantages of Building with Stone

Environmentally friendly

Since stone is a natural material, it does not contain any toxic substances that may be harmful to humans. It can even be used in food areas! Stone does not require any chemicals or safety coatings to be made safe to use. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Stone Masonry

How to Prepare for Demolition Day

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

When it comes time to demolish your old building, you’re probably excited about the prospect of fresh starts and new beginnings. However, a big change is enough to leave anyone frazzled, especially when it comes to the demolition of an entire building. There fortunately are a few things you can do to help yourself prepare for demolition day in order to save money and keep your demolition on track and on schedule.

There fortunately are a few things you can do to help yourself prepare for demolition day in order to save money and keep your demolition on track and on schedule.

Tips to Help Prepare for Your Building’s Demolition

Move Your Property to Storage

Before any demolition project, you of course need to get your valuables out of there. Usually there’s at least something in your old building worth holding on to! Make sure your property is well out of harm’s way long before the demolition begins so you aren’t scrambling at the last second. Anything you find that you don’t need any more can be sold for a profit or donated to charity. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Demolition

Brick Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Thursday, August 6th, 2015

Even with brick’s tough reputation, it still needs a good cleaning every once in a while. In the same light, if you clean your brick without knowing the proper way, there’s a good chance you can damage it as well. And what’s worse, brick cleaning can be a challenge in itself – whether inside or outside, brick is susceptible to dirt, soot, and even mold. But don’t worry! Armed with a little elbow grease and the right materials, brick cleaning can be a success. If you follow these tips, you’re sure to have your bricks looking good as new in no time.

Armed with a little elbow grease and the right materials, brick cleaning can be a success. If you follow these tips, you’re sure to have your bricks looking good as new in no time.

Brick Cleaning How-To

When brick cleaning, it’s best to start off with the mildest method and eventually work up to the harshest. You should always start by brushing off the excess debris and dirt on top first, and remember that wet brick hides stains, so repeating steps may be necessary in the future. These brick cleaning methods are listed from mildest to harshest and should be tried in the order they appear. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bricks!

Friday, July 31st, 2015

Bricks are one of the most common materials used in masonry projects for many reasons. They are reliable, durable, and beautiful, and can be used in a variety of different projects. But how much do you really know about them? How are bricks made? What is their history? Why should you choose bricks over granite, marble, or concrete? In this week’s blog, you’ll find out everything you ever wanted to know about bricks (and possibly more).

In this week’s blog, you’ll find out everything you ever wanted to know about bricks (and possibly more).

The History of Bricks

The oldest bricks ever discovered were made from shaped mud. They were found in Syria and are estimated to have been constructed in around 7500 BC. That’s about 9,500 years ago! Early civilizations in China and Europe have also been documented as using bricks for construction projects. The Ancient Greeks and Romans were some of the first to begin using fired bricks, which we still use today. They built large brick buildings and stamped them with the seal of the legion.

How Bricks are Made

There are three main types of brick: un-fired, fired, and chemically set. Each type of brick is manufactured in a different way. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick

Choosing the Right Masonry Contractor

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015

When remodeling or constructing a new building, quality stonework can add a unique, ageless aesthetic. Regardless of whether you know exactly what you want and how you want it or if you only have the vaguest idea, picking the right masonry contractor is the biggest factor in your satisfaction with the result. There are several strategies that you can employ to make sure you find the right masonry contractor for your work at the best price.

Make sure that you can find qualiy masonry at a good price.

(more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Granite, Masonry Contractor, Stone Masonry