Upgrading a fireplace with stacked stone veneer transforms the look of a living space, adding texture, depth, and rustic elegance to any room. This technique, demonstrated by Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough, involves applying thin stone pieces to an existing fireplace surround to create a natural stone appearance without the weight and cost […]
Stone cutting sits at the intersection of old-world craftsmanship and modern tooling. Masons have relied on hand tools for centuries, but power saws now bring speed and consistency to the job site. The challenge is making those machine-assisted cuts look like they belong. Whether you are working on a retaining wall, a stone veneer, or
When Jacob Ruhl, a prominent Ohio businessman, passed away in 1858, he left his wife Sarah a remarkable bequest: a small fortune and precise instructions to build a home that would stand as one of the grandest residences in Galion, Ohio. The result was a sprawling 7,000-square-foot brick Greek Revival house that still commands attention
A stone walkway adds natural beauty and timeless character to any landscape, but over time the mortar joints between the stones can crack, crumble, and deteriorate. When this happens, the walkway becomes not only an eyesore but also a tripping hazard, as water seeps into the gaps and loosens the stones from their setting bed.
A rustic stone walkway adds natural character and lasting value to any property. Unlike concrete paths or mass-produced pavers, natural stone brings a unique texture and earthy charm that blends seamlessly with outdoor landscapes. This project requires careful planning, thoughtful material selection, and attention to base preparation. If you have tackled similar masonry work such
Rolling paint onto drywall or wooden furniture is straightforward, but the task gets more complicated when you are dealing with household surfaces made from brick, medium-density fiberboard, metal, or plastic. Each material has its own quirks, from moisture sensitivity to adhesion problems, and choosing the wrong primer or application method can ruin the finish. This
Brick steps add durability and curb appeal to any home, but over time the mortar joints between bricks can crack, crumble, or pull away. When water seeps into these gaps and freezes, the damage accelerates, turning a minor cosmetic issue into a structural hazard. Repointing, which removes old failed mortar and replaces it with fresh
Every skilled tradesperson has an origin story, and few are as unexpected as the journey of Mark McCullough, the beloved mason from This Old House and Ask This Old House. Before he became one of the most recognizable masons on television, McCullough was a teenager unloading watermelons in Chelsea, Massachusetts. His path from that humble
Brick has anchored construction for millennia, prized for its durability, texture, and timeless character. Yet as building envelopes demand higher thermal performance, faster installation, and lower embodied carbon, traditional fired-clay masonry faces real constraints. Engineers and manufacturers have responded with a wave of brick alternatives that deliver the familiar aesthetic without the weight, labor intensity,
Loadbearing masonry walls have been a foundational element of building construction for centuries, offering durability, fire resistance, and thermal mass that few modern systems can match. However, the structural behavior of these walls depends on continuous load paths and proper support conditions — factors that are easily compromised during renovations. When loadbearing masonry walls are
