Masonry: A Complex Profession With Many Sub Specialties

Masonry and brickwork is the art of laying brick and stone or block into place with or without mortar; to achieve a durable structure or surface. It is often an integral part of general construction projects; an area of specialty requiring a high degree of training and expertise.

While Winston Churchill regarded himself a hobbyist brick layer, masonry is a craft not recommended for DIY homeowners to attempt without proper training. Masonry is actually a general term covering several different types of this precise assembly of materials.

Masonry: The Sub Specialties

Brick masonry includes various types of brick work utilizing brick and mortar to build a brick wall, a brick fireplace or fireplace chimney construction, chimney repair, or even garden bridge construction. Brick masonry starts in the corners with one of two methods; corner lead or corner pole. Once a line is established, high precision is required as courses are laid to fill walls between the corners.

Stone masonry begins with setting the first course in a shallow bed of mortar. Plumb lines, levels, wedges and rubber mallets are used to position the stones into proper alignment. The wall is completed with the fabrication of alternate layers of mortar and stone. Stone masons using large stones often work from a drawing in which each stone is numbered and placed in sequence. Large stones are often secured with a metal bracket installed on the stone, and then welded or bolted to the structure.

Stone masonry includes installation of a variety of materials; including brick veneer, marble and granite, travertine, glass, marble stone and ceramic tile. In addition, there is an artistic side to this craft involving mosaic tile mural scenes used for highly decorative wall or floor surfaces.

Block masonry is a masonry sub-specialty involving the use of concrete block for foundations or structural walls, and decorative concrete block or glass block for aesthetic applications. There are a variety of techniques involving filling the voids in structural block with concrete or re-enforcement steel for optimum strength and stability. Block masons are highly trained and proficient in these various techniques.

Refractory masonry involves brickwork for extreme temperature applications such as boilers and blow furnaces; used for manufacturing steel and other metals. Brick refractory beds carry molten metal such as steel from the furnaces to rolling machines.

Concrete masonry is one of the least technically demanding sub specialties. It involves pouring concrete walls, foundations, sidewalks, and slabs. There are some highly technical aspects; such as pouring large slabs or meeting load-bearing specifications for foundations.

Masonry Projects Feasible for DIY

While many aspects of masonry require a high level of skill and training, there are some aspects homeowners can successfully undertake as a DIY home improvement project.

For instance, a determined homeowner might successfully complete installing brick pavers for a garden walkway, pouring a new concrete sidewalk, or installing ceramic tile for a bathroom renovation.

Following are basic tips for a successful DIY ceramic tile project:

• When installing stone or ceramic tile, it is best to use a concrete product for the underlayment, with plywood as the substrate. The added thickness of these materials should be at least 1 ¼-inches for stability purposes. Concrete impregnated masonite or concrete board as the underlayment insures a strong water-resistant bond with the tile. Concrete underlayments are securely screwed or nailed into place; tile is laid using a thin-set mortar with an adhesive additive for extra adhesion.
• Once mortar is set and cured, grout is installed along grout lines between tiles. It is best to use special spacers when positioning tiles, to insure uniform spacing. After grout has cured, grout sealer is recommended to stabilize the grout. Multiple applications of a high quality grout sealer are advised with ample cure time between applications. (A cure time of 4 to 6 months is best.) Once 2 to 4 coats of grout sealer are in place, the floor will provide years of low maintenance use, requiring little more than periodic cleaning.
• Some ceramic tile installation guidelines instruct homeowners to use mastic adhesive to secure tile to an underlayment, such as plywood; and then fill grout lines after adhesive has set. While this may prove adequate in some applications, using a concrete underlayment with thin set mortar is always best.

Locate a Professional for Technical Masonry Projects

As previously mentioned, many aspects of construction masonry is best left to professionals. Such as building a garden stone bridge, installing fireplace masonry, applying decorative stucco to the exterior of a home, or installing marble flooring.

While pre-mixed mortar products are available for retail purchase, a professional brick mason or stone mason knows how to correctly mix the various types of mortar for specialized purposes; including stone mortar and tile mortar.

To locate professional masonry services such as a stone masonry contractor or stucco contractor, homeowners all across America are turning to HandyAmerican.com. Where locating a reliable local professional for any home improvement masonry project is a snap.

Whether seeking professional services for a Boise Id masonry project, Connecticut brickwork, or a Chicago masonry contractor, project owners sign up without cost or obligation, and post project information online.

Service provider members receive e-mail notification of each project in their service area and can view project details immediately. And then have the opportunity to vie for the project; providing competitive bids in days, even hours after project posting.

Homeowners can view company profile pages, licensing, insurance, certification, and credential information, references, customer feedback, and photos of recently completed projects for each prospective contractor. And then make an informed hiring decision, or hire no one at all. Remember, there is no obligation whatsoever.

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