Limewashing brick gives exterior and interior masonry a soft, chalky finish that keeps the texture of the brick visible underneath. The coating is made from crushed limestone and water, and its semi-transparent patina is what separates a limewashed wall from a simply painted one. Limewash soaks into the pores of the brick, slows surface deterioration, […]
Cutting brick is a routine part of masonry repair and remodeling. You might need to remove a single damaged brick from a fireplace or wall, open space for a vent, pipe, or outlet, or size new bricks for a patio, pathway, or outdoor fireplace. The job splits into two distinct tasks: cutting an installed brick
Brick masonry is a structural element built from bricks and cement mortar. Different qualities of brick are combined with different mortar mixes depending on the architectural design and the loads the wall will carry. The bricks are placed according to a design bond so that they knit together into a wall that can safely withstand
Pointing is the finishing operation that shapes and seals the mortar joints between bricks or stones, and it decides how long a masonry wall keeps water out. The mortar in the joints acts as a bed between units, and pointing re-dresses that bed where it has weathered, been raked out, or was never finished in
Hollow bricks have become a standard choice for builders who want to cut dead load without giving up wall strength. Each unit carries vertical voids that reduce weight while keeping a solid face for mortar bedding, and the body is formed from mixes that include recycled waste, coal ash, rice husk dust, and fly ash.
A brick fireplace is one of the few architectural features that can anchor an entire room on its own. The warm texture of brick reads as cozy in a farmhouse living room, clean in a modern loft, and stately in a traditional den, depending on the finish and the furniture around it. Homeowners can change
Stone fireplaces deliver steady radiant heat and a surface that holds up for decades, which is why they remain a popular choice in living rooms, family rooms, and open-plan great rooms. The material you choose drives both the look and the construction method, so the decision deserves attention before framing begins. Natural options include granite,
A brick is a block used to build walls, pavements, and a wide range of other structures, and it remains one of the oldest manufactured building materials still in everyday use. The word technically refers to a unit of dried and fired clay, but it is now used loosely for many blocks that are cured
Brick stain refreshes worn masonry and changes its color without covering the surface in a paint film. The finish soaks into the brick’s pores, darkens or recolors the clay, and lets the wall keep breathing, which is why stained brick looks natural even up close. Because brick walls often carry structural loads, the checks a
Mortar is the paste that bonds bricks, blocks, and stone into a wall, and the type you choose controls how strong the wall is, how well it sheds water, and how long it lasts. The mixture is made from Portland cement, hydrated lime, and sand, with the proportions varied to create five standard types: M,
