13548 Jarrettsville Pike | Phoenix, MD 21131 410.683.0650
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Archive for the ‘ Commercial Masonry Baltimore ’ Category

Inspection and Maintenance for Brick Masonry Walls

Friday, February 17th, 2017
brick masonry walls

Keeping brick masonry walls in good shape is critical.

Whether you have a beautiful brick home or a historic building with original masonry, keeping your brick masonry walls in good shape is critical. What does inspection and maintenance for brick masonry walls involve and why is it so important? (more…)

Brick or Concrete Pavers?

Monday, December 12th, 2016
brick or concrete pavers

Brick pavers last a very long time.

Are you preparing to spruce up your landscaping and utilize beautiful new pavers throughout your property? Making the choice between brick and concrete pavers can be tricky, so here are some helpful tips to aid you in choosing which to use during your project with Del Prete Masonry.

The Benefits of Brick

Brick pavers are a wonderful option for many home and business owners for reasons like these:

  • Brick pavers do a phenomenal job at retaining color over a period of years, even when exposed to sun
  • Bricks last a very long time, aside from minor chipping and cracking
  • Brick pavers don’t require much maintenance to keep looking great
  • Bricks are timeless and classic
  • Brick pavers are environmentally friendly and made from natural materials

The Downsides of Brick

While brick pavers are fantastic options, there are a few downsides:

  • Brick pavers are more expensive than their alternatives by 15-20%
  • Brick pavers come in a smaller range of colors, since they are naturally colored
  • Bricks can vary slightly in size due to the way that they are manufactured
  • Brick pavers can require a bit more elbow grease during installation

The Upsides of Concrete

Concrete pavers work beautifully for pathways and walkways, and it’s easy to see why:

  • Concrete pavers are less expensive than brick pavers
  • Concrete can come in just about any pattern, shape, size, or color you can imagine
  • Concrete pavers can be made to mimic stone or other building materials
  • Concrete pavers are a breeze to install

The Cons of Concrete

Concrete pavers are not without faults, however:

  • Concrete can undergo major color fading over time, since they use artificial color pigments for their hue
  • Concrete pavers can suffer from surface erosion and look worn and damaged over time
  • Concrete pavers can be of dubious quality depending on where they are purchased from and crumble or crack before you even get started

Concrete or Brick Pavers? We’ve Got You Covered!

If you are ready to upgrade your property, 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.

Why Masons Are More Than Just Bricklayers

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016
masons

Masons can employ advanced bricklaying techniques.

Mason and bricklayer are two commonly confused titles. While these two professions do overlap in some of their duties and requirements, the hard truth is that not all bricklayers are masons. Most of it comes down to skill level. Typically, masons employ much more advanced bricklaying techniques that differentiate them from the average bricklayer. (more…)

Common Myths About Natural Stone

Thursday, July 28th, 2016
natural stone

Natural stone is an elegant masonry material that offers a lot of benefits.

Natural stone is an incredibly beautiful and reliable material when it comes to residential and commercial design, but many business and home owners question its practicality. Here are a few common misconceptions about natural stone, and why you might want to consider it for your next project. (more…)

Tips for Hiring the Right Masonry Contractor

Wednesday, July 20th, 2016
masonry-contractor

The right masonry contractor will make your project painless.

Custom masonry projects are an investment in building value into your business. Finding the right masonry contractor for the job is important for minimizing headaches and making sure everything goes smoothly. Here are a few tips for finding the right masonry contractor for your project’s needs. (more…)

What Is Masonry Staining?

Thursday, June 30th, 2016
masonry staining

Masonry staining adds flexibility to any masonry project.

Masonry staining is the art and science of transforming the color of masonry with a custom stain solution. Masonry staining is a crucial component of the masonry industry and has empowered architects, owners and project managers to achieve a desired color when designing and building with masonry.  With masonry staining traditional color limitations can be overcome and risks associated with a project can be avoided. (more…)

The Benefits of Custom Masonry Monuments

Friday, June 3rd, 2016
custom masonry monuments

A custom masonry monument lets others know who you are as well as provides useful information at a glance.

An outdoor sign is one of the most traditional forms of advertising, but it is still one of the most effective.

Custom masonry monuments catch the eye of a potential customer, and it’s a nice way to introduce your business to a new potential client. With a well-placed sign, you help set your business up for success. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of custom masonry monuments. (more…)

Why Use Natural Stone?

Friday, May 13th, 2016
natural stone

Natural stone adds a sophisticated, natural element to any structure.

When it comes time to plan or build a new structure, many wonder just what materials to use. There are certainly a number of different mediums to choose from, all with their own unique pros, cons, look, and lifespan. Natural stone, however, is an old favorite that’s always worth another look for these, and many other reasons.   (more…)

Questions to Ask Your Masonry Contractor

Friday, March 25th, 2016
questions to ask your masonry contractor

You may have a lot of questions floating around in your head. It’s important to make sure that you ask the right ones.

According to the Mason Contractors Association of America, qualified masons receive training to work with a several different materials, including bricks, natural rock, concrete, and tiles made of terra cotta, ceramic or stone. However, every masonry contractor has their own areas of special skill and experience. For example, Del Prete Masonry specializes in brick, block, and commercial concrete construction. When hiring a masonry contractor, it’s important to ask the right questions so that you know you are hiring a contractor who is right for your particular needs. Here are a few questions you can ask to guide your way to the best contractor for you. (more…)

How to Create Stunning Hardscaping, Part 2

Thursday, January 21st, 2016
hardscaping tips 2

This hardscaping design utilizes different colors and greenery to create a dynamic, eye-catching design.

In continuation of our last blog, here are even more tips on how to create the perfect hardscaping design! As we previously stated, planning is one of the most crucial aspects of creating a stunning hardscaping design. Here are even more planning tips to make sure that you end up with the best commercial hardscaping possible! (more…)