Masonry involves workers constructing buildings out of concrete, brick, stone, marble and a variety of other materials. Masonry is highly regarded because it of its durability, versatility, and maintenance. There are a few varying factors that heavily influence how long masonry building lasts. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can take into consideration in order to increase the longevity of your masonry based building.
Choose A Solid Foundation
Masonry materials are all heavy, therefore, they need to be built using a strong and solid foundation. If the foundation is weak, it will quickly begin to crumble under the weight of the building. In order to ensure that the building remains standing, it should be constructed on top of a concrete foundation. Concrete is one of a few materials that has the ability to successfully endure an enormous amount of weight. The concrete foundation will prevent the building from cracking and settling.
Hire Skilled Masons
Masonry is an older form of building construction because it heavily relies on skilled-labor rather than the use of machines. Skilled masons can easily mix brick mortar, cut stone or marble, and repair or patch brick buildings. Skilled masons typically acquire their skills through an apprenticeship and this is a skill that is difficult to replace by a machine. While it is important to use quality materials to construct your building, it is also just as important to hire skilled workers and contractors. Hiring the right team of people will help to ensure that your building is constructed correctly and remains standing for some time.
Take Into Consideration Weather Conditions
While masonry supported buildings are remarkably durable there is still a chance that they can become damaged and will eventually degrade. Extreme cold temperatures that produce frost will break down the masonry wall surfaces causing them to deteriorate. This occurs when the walls remain moist and wet for too long during cold temperatures. If the temperature fluctuates from above freezing to below freezing this creates a frost-thaw effect and will cause the material to crumble. One of the few ways to prevent this problem is by installing insulation to the exterior of your home. However, installing insulation on the exterior of your building will only hide the masonry.
When constructed properly, by someone like Michael Bellantoni, masonry building will last for decades with little to no maintenance. Therefore, use these tips to ensure your masonry building lasts as long as possible.
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