Q: Should the mason contractor I hire be licensed?
A: Absolutely yes! Mason contractors are just like any other contractors and should hold all necessary state licenses and certifications that pertain to their trade.
Q: What is thin stone veneer?
A: Thin stone veneer is real natural stone that is quarried and then manufactured. When we say manufactured..we mean it is cut down into thin pieces of stone that only show the natural “Face” of the stone. The finished thickness of the stone after manufacturing it varies from 1 inch to about 2 inches give or take.
Q: What is building stone veneer?
A: Building stone veneer is natural stone veneer that has been quarried and then dressed to a certain extent. Building veneer can range in thickness but the most common size is about 4 inches in thickness. For more information on this topic please call us today!
Q: What is Polymeric Sand?
A: Polymeric sand is a polymer modified sand that once installed correctly hardens to a mortar like strength that also inhibits weed growth. There are different types of polymeric sands that are out on the market and each of them have a different type of application. Call today for more information on this topic.
Q: What does Permeable mean?
A: Permeable means to allow water or moisture to pass through. In the masonry/hardscape industry certain concrete pavers are made with a Permeable feature. These are typically installed in areas that have poor drainage or in certain municipalities where non-permeable pavements can not be installed due to governing building codes. For more info on this topic, call now at 781-269-9709.
Q: Why does smoke pour into the entertaining area when I light a fire in my fireplace?
A: A smoking fireplace can be a hazard and a nuisance. No one wants to smell smoke when they are trying to enjoy a nice fire in their fireplace. There are many factors that should be taken into consideration when diagnosing the problem. Total height of the chimney, size of flue to fireplace opening ratio, throat construction, smoke shelf construction and smoke chamber construction all play a very important role in the overall function of a well built chimney/fireplace. In most cases smoking fireplaces are caused by poor down draft which is a result of the chimney not being high enough above the peak of the roof. For more info on this topic call us today with any questions.
Q: What is Re-Pointing
A: Re-pointing is the process of cutting out old mortar to a uniform depth, and placing new mortar in the joint to restore it to its original state. Tuck-pointing is a very common technique used by masons in restoration work of older buildings. In some cases Re-pointing can not be used and may require a mason to rebuild a section or the entire project. Contact us today for more information on this topic.
Q:What is the difference between thin brick and regular brick?
A: Thin brick is actually a regular brick that has been cut down to a thickness of approximately 3/4 of an inch give or take. Some manufacturers actually produce thin brick by making molds and then pouring a mixture of materials that are later set into a kiln to dry for a period of time. Thin brick is light in comparison to regular brick and is about one quarter the weight of a regular brick. With this lightweight advantage thin brick can be installed in numerous places where regular brick can not. Regular brick requires some type of footing or support to be constructed on and is typically used outside of a home or commercial building. Regular brick is more durable in comparison to thin brick simply because it is thicker. For more information on this topic contact us!
Q:What is the difference between concrete pavers and brick pavers?
A: Brick Pavers are made out of a mixture of either clay or shale. All bricks are not intended to be used as pavers. When selecting a brick paver it should have a SW label on the packaging or at some location on the brick paver itself. Some manufacturers actually mold the SW symbol into the brick so that would be a good place to look. This label stands for Sever Weather and insures that the brick paver can with stand harsh weather such as snow or ice build up. Brick pavers are strong and have a large selection of colors to choose from for any outdoor project. Concrete pavers are made out specially formulated mixture of cement and aggregate. Concrete pavers have great interlocking capability and can be used in some cases where regular brick pavers can not. Concrete pavers have a very high Compressive Strength which makes them excellent for driveways, walkways, or patios. Concrete pavers also have a very large selection of colors to choose from. For more info on this topic, call us today and we will be happy to provide you with anything you need to know.
Q: What type of brick and mortar should be used in fireplace construction.
A: In fireplace construction the only type of brick that should be used is a fire rated brick. There is a big difference between fire brick and regular brick. Regular brick is made up of clays and shale that are molded and manufactured and are produced to withstand small amounts of heat. Fire brick is made up of fire clay and other ingredients to withstand large amounts of heat that allow the heat to be radiated into the area it faces. Refractory mortar or a specially formulated mixture of mortar and fire clay should be used when constructing the fire box of the fireplace. If you would like more information on this topic please feel free to call us today.
