Posts Tagged ‘ commercial masonry ’

Tips for Finding a Commercial Masonry Restoration Company

Monday, September 29th, 2014

When looking for a masonry restoration expert to tackle your commercial masonry project, it’s important to thoroughly vet candidates with a detailed selection process. While it’s easy to rely on online review services like Angie’s List, or browsing through union membership lists, these won’t guarantee finding a commercial masonry expert who will fit your needs, and it can be hard to tell if an online review is paid for, or by someone whose opinion you can trust. Consider these steps when looking for a masonry restoration expert that fits you.

Consult Friends and Family

Often more reliable, and more aware of your personal needs than the internet are friends and family members. Check with them, or with trusted business associates, to see if they’ve ever needed masonry restoration done for their homes and businesses. You can also check nearby stone supply companies, which contractors will visit regularly. The staff at the supply facility will be able to point you in the direction of the companies that buy the best materials and pay their bills on time.

Phone and Face-to-Face Interviews

Write up a list of the most qualified-looking companies, and make a quick phone call to their offices. Ask them if they take on the type and size of project you’re looking to start, if they’ll provide financial and personal references, a previous client list, and how long they’ve worked with their subcontractors. Using these answers you can narrow down your list further and set up an in-person meeting. When meeting a potential commercial masonry restorer, trust your gut. If they put you ill at ease, have unusual stipulations, or try to pressure you into making a deal on the spot, cross them off your list. However don’t be bamboozled by flashy personalities either and make sure that they are in good standing with the Consumer Protection Bureau, and the Better Business Bureau as well.

Investigate

Spend some time checking with past clients and examining completed restoration projects. If you can, find a current site their working on and pay them a surprise visit to see if restoration is being done it what looks like a timely and efficient manner.

Get Bids

With your shortlist in hand, present your proposed masonry project to the potential clients. Don’t automatically accept the cheapest bid, particularly if the company wants most of costs up front. Low bidders and companies that require more than 50% in advance are frequently desperate for cash, and may suspect you won’t want to pay them upon completion, or they may go out of business before the job finishes.

Looking for the best? Need Additional Help?

For other questions regarding commercial masonry restoration, feel free to contact Delprete Mansonry. Our masonry restoration professionals have the experience and history of satisfied clients to prove that we’ll get the job done right, and cost-effectively. To get started with your commercial masonry restoration project, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Source:

This Old House

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Caring for your Brick Masonry Structure

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

One of the most popular building materials for centuries, brick masonry is used from everything from stately colonial mansions or small country cottages, to dignified commercial structures. Its versatility, efficiency, and appearance all contribute to raising the property and aesthetic value of your home. While generally maintenance free, it’s still important to take care of your brick structures to assure that your commercial masonry investment is protected and their longevity is being leveraged to its maximum potential.

Cleaning

Once a year, be sure to go over your brick masonry with a hose, equipped with a spray nozzle, to remove any loose dirt. Also if any side of your brick masonry structure or house gets very little sunlight you should be on the lookout for moss, mold, or mildew growth. Scrubbing any affected areas with a solution of 1cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water will clean most of this up. Avoid using wire brushes that can scratch or damage brick and be sure to rinse these areas with water BEFORE applying the bleach solution.

Check for Water Damage

Water damage to brick masonry has two potential causes: Splash back and rising damp. Splash back is the process by which rain, over a long period of time, is slowly absorbed into brick causing the mortar or brick itself to crack. Rising damp occurs when ground water seeps upwards, leaving behind what is known as a “tide line”. This line will disappear but will cause a buildup of salt crystals that will ultimately break down brick and mortar. Check for water damage routinely and allocate funds for repointing every 5-10 years.

Repointing

Repointing is the process of renewing the external parts of mortar joints, which hold brick masonry structures together. If you find signs of damaged mortar, consider having it repointed. This involves careful removal of the existing mortar, and a fresh application of a new batch. When repointing, the depth of the new mortar should be approximately twice the width of the existing mortar joints.

If you own an older house and want to preserve visual integrity, make sure that your fresh mortar matches the original. A contractor can take a sample of existing mortar and dissolve it in acid, exposing the base sand aggregate used to manufacture it, so that it can be replicated.

Get Help from Del Prete Masonry

Brick is a great foundation for any building, and as commercial masons, we can fully appreciate the benefits of brick. If you need your commercial masonry repaired, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Source: bobvilia.com

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Caring for Your Granite Masonry

Friday, September 5th, 2014

If you’ve already chosen granite to take advantage of the wide benefits of employing granite for your commercial masonry project then you’re familiar with its versatility, long term durability, and classic style. However, to ensure your granite surface’s long-term stability it’s important to know the key components of long-term granite care.

Because natural stone is highly porous, it’s important to coat any granite surface with a protective water sealant, which will fill in pores and help prevent long term water damage. It’s also important to clean spills of granite surfaces quickly. It’s a crucial part of granite care to control moisture, as much as possible, in any indoor areas with granite flooring

It’s important to clean granite surfaces with a dry mop, or duster at least once a day. This will clear away does and prevent small particles from working their way into the surface’s pores. When performing more thorough cleaning, only use an approved granite cleaner and take special care to avoid using any abrasive cleaners, bleach, or normal detergents.

When placing hardened objects, such as furniture or pots and pans, be sure to use a protective cloth or buffer material. While granite masonry is very sturdy, it’s important to protect it from scratches or gashes which will ultimately decrease the stability and longevity of your commercial masonry.

For other questions regarding granite for commercial masonry, feel free to contact Delprete Mansonry. Our Maryland granite professionals will be able to assist you in choosing which type of granite is best for your upcoming project. To get started with your commercial masonry project, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Source

http://www.baneclene.com/articles/granite.html

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Concretes Uses in Commercial Masonry

Thursday, August 28th, 2014

There are a few different materials that have been used for centuries by builders. Concrete is one of them, though it has changed and been improved upon over the years. Concrete is a material that we still use frequently for masonry projects. It’s used as a foundation for homes and businesses, as a material for signs and statues, and even for roads and sidewalks. One of the best things about concrete is its versatility. Concrete can be used for nearly any masonry project. When you think of concrete, you probably think gray, drab, and boring – but concrete has become so much more than that. With new innovations and the ability to mix colors into concrete, it has become a great, aesthetically pleasing material to work with. That’s certainly not the only benefit of using concrete, though.

Why We Still Use Concrete for Masonry

Sustainability – This probably wasn’t a reason for using concrete hundreds of years ago, but it’s certainly a reason that we use it now. Producing concrete results in very few carbon dioxide emissions. The majority of carbon dioxide emissions from a concrete building actually come from the electricity used inside the building. Concrete also has reflective qualities that help keep it cool, resulting in less of an “urban heat island” problem when concrete is used in place of aggregate in cities.
Durability – When we build a structure, we want it to last. Concrete structures have been known to last for centuries if they’re taken care of. Some concrete structures date all the way back to the Roman Era. Concrete is used for bridges, tunnels, and dams – all structures that require the strongest material available. When we use concrete, we know we’re using something that stands the test of time and pressure.
Low maintenance – If you’re like most people, you don’t want to spend a lot of time taking care of your building or masonry structure. Concrete is relatively low maintenance and doesn’t attract mold or deteriorate simply because of time. Weather can wear it down, but there are precautions that you can take to keep your concrete structure standing and intact. It’s easy to take care of and will last you a lifetime.

Building with Concrete

While there are many other materials that we use at Del Prete Masonry, we’re not about to abandon concrete anytime soon. It has proven its worth many times over and we know that we can bring you a solid masonry structure when you choose concrete. To find out more about your masonry options including concrete masonry, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Sources: WBCSD Cement, CBDG

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

The Benefits of Stone Masonry Signs for Commercial Use

Friday, July 25th, 2014

Are you getting tired of seeing the same signs for just about every business? You know the ones I’m talking about. The big plastic signs with lights behind them to make them easier to see at night. The ones everyone has. Not that there’s anything wrong with those signs, but there are options that will last longer, not wear as fast, and will look better outside of your business. If you’re a Baltimore local, you’ve probably seen some of the superior signs that we’re talking about – the ones outside of Johns Hopkins University or M&T Bank Stadium. Signs made of stone will always last longer than signs made of plastic.

Why Choose A Stone Masonry Sign?

Well, the better question is why not choose one, but we’ve got a list of the top reasons to choose stone masonry over your other options.

Sustainable – If you’re like most other people, you’re probably looking for an option that will be both environmentally friendly and economically friendly. Stone is a sustainable option because it is natural. Your sign will fit in better with the environment around it and look earth friendly. Plus, it’s going to last you a lot longer than a big plastic sign, meaning it’ll ultimately save you money.
Aesthetic – This goes almost without saying, but we thought we’d mention it, because it’s the biggest benefit of choosing commercial stone masonry over plastic. Choosing brick or natural stone for your business’ sign will give you a leg up on your competition. It makes it clear that you take your business seriously and, like the natural stone you’re using, you’re there to stay. Natural stone is professional and attractive.
Options – You have dozens of options when you choose natural stone. You can choose the color, pattern, type of stone, and finish that works best for you. Then we’ll work with you to help come up with a design that will reflect your business. Every piece of natural stone is unique and every sign is a little bit different. We’ll give you all of the pros and cons of the different types of stone and help you figure out what you prefer to work with. In the end, you’ll have your perfect sign.

Stone Masonry Signs from Del Prete Masonry

Your sign is one of the first things that people see when they approach your business. It should look professional and beautiful. Let us help! Please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us atmike@delpretemasonry.com to get an estimate for your new commercial stone sign. We’re located out of Phoenix, MD and serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Sources: Natural Stone Council, Classic Design Stone

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Building Brick by Brick in Commercial Masonry

Thursday, July 17th, 2014

There are some things that have been done right for centuries. Much of masonry lives up to that standard. People have been building things since the dawn of the human race and a lot of their materials have come with them. Brick, for instance, is one of the most consistently used materials in history. We’ve discovered brick structures that date back more than 5,000 years ago. If you’re keeping track, that was about 3,000 years BCE. That’s pretty impressive when you think about it. Brick making is a little bit different today, but it has its roots in ancient practices.

How Bricks are Made

Bricks are made from natural, raw materials, which is one of the reasons that they’re still a popular masonry option. Brick is usually made from a clay compound – think red clay in the southern parts of the US. The raw materials are first mixed together to get the base product. They then go through an extrusion process where the materials are mixed with water and molded into the traditional rectangular “brick shape.” Many bricks then have a furrowed area carved in to make them easier to work with when paving. They’re coated with sand, dried, and then fired. The firing process makes the bricks stronger. Once the bricks are cooled, they’re packaged and manufactured.

What Benefits do Bricks Offer?

Durability – Bricks are a great option to use in the Mid-Atlantic area because they can stand up to just about any weather extreme that they’re pitted against. If you’ve lived here for a while, you know that we get everything from blizzards to hurricanes in this part of the country. It’s important to use durable materials that will outlast Mid-Atlantic weather extremes.
Good Insulation – We’re not telling you not to insulate your building. Far from it. We’re just telling you that bricks are a good natural insulator. They hold in heat better than almost any other building material. Their ability to retain heat energy will push your energy bill down and help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Perfect for the energy efficiency conscious company.
Aesthetic Flexibility – When you think of bricks, you probably think of the typical red, clay brick. That’s not the only option anymore! With new technologies and a better understanding of the world around us, manufacturers have begun to create bricks in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. You can have the classic aesthetic with the modern feel. It’s the best of both worlds.

Brick is a great foundation for any building, and as commercial masons, we can fully appreciate the benefits of brick. Ready to commission your commercial masonry project? Please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Source: Go Brick

Posted in Blog, Brick

Why Should I Have my Older Masonry Restored?

Monday, July 14th, 2014

Masonry work is a beautiful thing. There is a lot of meticulous, detailed work that goes into creating a masonry structure. Stonemasons have been working to perfect the art for centuries and make advances on the foundations of masonry as they go. If you have mason work that is starting to crack or deteriorate (which does happen, no matter how hard we work to make it perfect), you have a couple of different options.

You could tear down and start over, destroying something that could have a rich history.
You could leave it be or reseal it and hope that it doesn’t get any worse.
You could hire a qualified restoration service to come in and restore a piece of work back to its original glory or better.

You should only approach option 1 if there’s absolutely no hope for restoration, if the original structure is poorly built, or if you want something entirely different. Demolition is sometimes the way to go, but if you like the structure, why not put the work in to save it and maybe even create something better out of it? The second option is rarely a good one. If you don’t work to properly take care of masonry (which is actually pretty low maintenance), it will eventually start to crumble and you’ll need to hire someone to tear it down or restore it anyway. Most of the time for both buildings and decorative structures, we recommend that you choose masonry restoration for a few reasons.

Add aesthetic – We can add a nice aesthetic appeal to older buildings that need to be restored. If they’re still useable but just need a face lift, restoration is a really good, fairly inexpensive option.
Stability – Restoring masonry returns it to its original stability and strength. Stone and brick masonry stands up well against weather and the elements, especially after you’ve restored it.
Protect history – Many buildings have a rich history that you risk losing if you choose demolition over restoration when the building can be successfully restored.

At Del Prete Masonry, we offer professional restoration for your building or structure. Delprete Masonry is a commercial masonry construction and restoration company that services Baltimore and the surrounding area. For more than 25 years, we’ve been performing quality masonry work for a wide variety of clients with different masonry needs. We’ve built a solid reputation for ourselves in the Baltimore area as a leading commercial masonry service. For more information, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us atmike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

The Advantages of Natural Stone for Commercial Masonry

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Most people love the look of natural stone buildings. They look rustic and beautiful. The colors and patterns that are inherent in natural stone makes it a great material to use when constructing buildings and doing masonry projects. It goes far beyond just the aesthetic appeal of natural stone, though. There are many reasons to consider natural stone for your commercial masonry project that you may not have considered just yet. We’ve put together a few or our favorite reasons for choosing natural stone when you’re ready to begin your project.

Affordable – Most masonry materials aren’t overly expensive (except when you start getting into marble and granite), but most natural stone is on the lower end of the price range, because it’s easy to acquire and fairly easy to work with. Finding the perfect natural stone for your project likely will not cost you a lot of money for the great product that you’re getting.
Unique – Every piece of natural stone that you use for your construction product will be unique. It may be similar to others, but you’ll be able to pick out certain facets of the stone that make your project completely yours. There are great patterns and distinctly different colors and shades in every piece of natural stone.
Durable – If you regularly seal natural stone and make a point to have regular maintenance done on it, natural stone will lost you for decades, and maybe even centuries. It’s all about taking care of the stone. Natural stone can also stand up to most weather conditions. Cleaning natural stone is a fairly simple process that will help you extend the life and beauty of your project without breaking your bank.
Environmentally Friendly – This is true for a few different reasons. One of the main reasons that people choose to go with natural stone if they’re considering the environment is that it’s not manufactured or synthetic. People have been using natural stone to build shelter for centuries because it’s easy to acquire and naturally occurring. It also doesn’t require serious chemicals to maintain its aesthetic, nor does it secrete toxic chemicals to humans or animals. On the whole, natural stone is one of the most sustainable options for construction projects.

Using natural stone for your commercial masonry project is a good first step in being environmentally friendly and having a gorgeous project that you’re proud to call your own. To get started with your commercial masonry project, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us atmike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Source: SlideShare

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Commerical Masonry for Sustainability

Monday, June 9th, 2014

Using environmentally friendly products is something that many businesses and individuals have been focused on for the past decade or so. The green movement is one that you’ll see taking place across the country and even across the world. It should follow that many companies in the Baltimore area are taking the initiative to try to better our environment and create a more sustainable earth. Did you know that masonry products are one of the most sustainable building products in existence?

Why are masonry products environmentally friendly?
Most masonry products are made of brick, block, or stone – these are natural products that are found in the Earth anyway. Sometimes they contain synthetic components, but for the most part, bricks and stones are made of materials that the Earth itself is made up of.

Sustainability is great, but is masonry durable?
Yes! Ever wonder why masonry products and building materials have been around for thousands of years? It’s proven to work and withstand the test of time. Though many new materials are effective, the fact that masonry is still being used is a testament to its strength and usefulness in building projects – including masonry structures. Many important buildings throughout history have been constructed using brick – plus it’s got a great aesthetic value.

What else do masonry products have to offer?
Masonry products aren’t just used for durability and sustainability. They are also fire resistant and mold resistant, which is great for outdoor masonry structures. They can handle a lot of rain and moisture without developing mold or becoming particularly discolored. Brick and stone will not only outlast most other building materials, but they also are resistant to many natural problems.

A commercial masonry project is environmentally friendly and will last you for years to come. Instead of investing in something that may only last for a short period of time, try using something that has survived the test of centuries, is environmentally friendly, and looks great to boot. Delprete Masonry is a commercial masonry construction and restoration company that services Baltimore and the surrounding area. For more than 25 years, we’ve been performing quality masonry work for a wide variety of clients with different masonry needs. We’ve built a solid reputation for ourselves in the Baltimore area as a leading commercial masonry service. For more information, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us atmike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Source: http://masonryworx.com/home/the-environmental-advantages-of-masonry-products/

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore