Masonry is a time-consuming construction process that requires careful planning. If you’re interested in using masonry for your commercial building, be sure to speak with an experienced contractor.
Different types of masonry offer different strengths and advantages. Depending on the needs of your business, you may prefer one type over another.
Brick
Bricks are a common and durable option for masonry construction. They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, giving builders great flexibility in how they can construct buildings. They can also be arranged in a number of different styles, including herringbone, stacked bond and running bond. Some bricks are made to look particularly rustic by including burnt, darker colors and rough textures. Others may be aged to make them appear worn and old, as though they have been in service for generations.
Brick masonry walls are constructed in one of four basic bonds: running bond, English bond, Flemish bond and herringbone. Running bond is a simple structural style, with all bricks staggered by half a brick from the course above and below. English bond is a variation of running bond that uses header bricks (bricks with long faces) alternately with stretcher bricks (bricks with short faces). Herringbone is a decorative style that is not suitable for load-bearing walls and features offset, diagonal herringbone patterns.
Masonry contractors use a mix of bricks to create the desired aesthetic and structure for their clients’ buildings. They will often use a combination of brick, concrete block and stone to give the building maximum strength and durability. They will also ensure that all masonry elements are placed correctly, to avoid issues like buckling or cracking down the line.
Stone
Stone masonry is primarily used for structural purposes, such as walls. It is generally considered more attractive than brick or concrete block masonry, and it can be used to add texture and beauty to buildings. The quality of a stone masonry job depends on both the skill of the mason and the choice of materials. Stone masonry is also more expensive than other types of masonry because it requires more labor and skill.
Masonry can be made of a variety of types of stone, but limestone and sandstone are common. These are sedimentary rocks that are formed when mineral grains are deposited in a basin. Masonry using these stones can be very detailed, and masons can create intricate patterns in the rock.
Some stone masonry techniques include chamfering the exposed edges of a piece of stone to give it a more three-dimensional look. A stone is also sometimes rough-tooled to make it more rustic and natural looking. Another way to make a stone more interesting is to use it in rock-faced masonry, where the face of the stone is left raw and undisturbed, much like the stone looked when it was first discovered in a quarry.
Other masonry techniques include belt course, which is a line of flat stones set along the wall. A head is a block of stone that spans the head of a doorway or window, and it may be tooled to match the rest of the stone on the building.
Concrete Block
Concrete block masonry has long been a popular choice for residential and commercial construction, offering durability, versatility, and affordability. It is a load-bearing material used to build walls and foundations, and can be molded into unique shapes for wall cladding or other special applications. It can also be constructed into fire-resistant masonry to add an extra layer of safety and security.
There are several types of concrete blocks, each suited to different purposes. Hollow concrete blocks have holes that take up more than one-quarter (and often more than half) of their cross-sectional area, which can be useful for running piping or wiring. They are made with traditional concrete mixtures but can be augmented with chemicals, called admixtures, to alter curing time or increase strength or workability.
Fully solid concrete blocks look like large gray bricks and are ideal for creating walls that will protect against natural elements, such as strong winds. They can also be used to build foundations, steps, sidewalks, and retaining walls.
Split face concrete blocks have two smooth, flat lengths and a textured length created by splitting the unit after manufacture to reveal its aggregate. These blocks are useful for building because of their unique texture that looks very similar to stone. Other concrete blocks include stretcher blocks, which have specially shaped ends that are used to connect the corner of masonry units.
Clay Tile
Also known as building tile, structural terra cotta, hollow clay tile and saltillo tile, this type of burned-clay construction material was once quite common in North America but has since faded away from popularity, having been replaced by concrete. Like brick, hollow clay tiles are laid horizontally in a mortar bed. However, they are much lighter than bricks, making them cheaper to transport and easier to lift onto the job site for construction.
The durability of clay tiles is incredibly impressive, resisting water damage, fire, rot and mold/algae growth. Their natural materials make them a green choice for sustainable buildings too. Clay roof tiles also insulate well, allowing air to circulate and trapping heat inside the home so it doesn’t cool down as quickly in summer.
However, just like most things of high quality, they tend to cost more than a normal roofing shingle. They are also heavy and require professional installation, but with proper maintenance a clay tile roof can last for a century or more.