When asked to define masonry, the simple response is that it is stonework, or when it comes to building, it’s structures bound by mortar with the use of stone, brick, marble, travertine, granite, concrete blocks, limestone, adobe, and glass blocks.
It’s considered to be extraordinarily durable yet depends heavily on the quality of materials and of course the skill of the top masonry contractors to do the job right.
There are many different types of masonry being practiced in building construction today as there are many different types of masonry materials used in the construction process by the top masonry contractors.
So now that you know how to define masonry and the varying styles let’s take a gander at the types of masonry.
What Are the Different Types of Masonry Used in Construction Today?
There are various types of masonry walls used in building construction nowadays. The two main kinds of masonry that most top masonry contractors use is solid masonry and veneer masonry.
Solid masonry is where the whole bricks or materials (stone, bricks, marble, granite, etc.) are used in the construction and is considered the sturdier choice. Whereas veneer masonry is mainly an aesthetic choice where an outer layer of the chosen materials (the bricks or stone) is attached to a less sturdy material like wood.
Brick masonry is by far the most popular choice because of its durability and the fact it just looks fantastic. But concrete blocks and stone masonry are also popular choices.
What Are Some Types of Masonry Materials Available?
There are many different types of masonry materials that go into masonry building construction.
The primary building materials are bricks, stone, stucco, and concrete. The orientations of these materials are various as the sizes depend on the type of construction.
The bonding agents are mortar, veneer mortar, grout, cement, aggregate (sand gravel), concrete, and rebar (reinforced bars).
A couple of different types of trowels are used such as the square-notch trowel and the margin trowel. Also used are masons hammers, mashing hammers, blocking chisels, masonry power saws, mason’s lines, steel squares, levels, chalk lines, jointers, brushes, and mixing tools.
Search for High-Quality, Top Masonry Contractors
When it comes to the actual construction itself, make sure to look for high-quality, top masonry contractions and do your homework.
Punch in a keyword search such as “top masonry contractors near me” in your favorite web browser and peruse the list of available links.
Also be diligent and check the credentials of the company, client testimonials, ask around neighbors and folks you trust.
Should hire a company that continually trains its contractors on the latest techniques in masonry and that each contractor is licensed, insured, bonded, and certified. The company should get a thumbs up from the Better Business Bureau and be well respected within the construction community.
You should also compare different companies and their price lists. Keep a bullet-point list of pros and cons and never be afraid to ask questions. Also, make sure they offer free consultations and are fair with their quotes as far as price and time to complete the project.
