The art of constructing buildings is complex and imperative to creating strong structures that stand the test of time. Masonry is a wall-building technique that has been around for thousands of years, so construction companies often prioritise maintaining these types of buildings through masonry repair and learning the skills to be a great stonemason.
Here’s everything you need to know about masonry.
What is a stone mason?
The term masonry refers to the construction of walls using units of brick, marble, stone, granite and concrete bonded together using mortar. Mortar is a material made from sand combined with cement, lime or soil. Masonry involves using singular units to create structures for various purposes such as building construction, walls to separate property lines or house walls.
A stonemason will work as either a banker mason or a fixer mason. A banker mason involves following designs to carve and shape stone and give it a polished finish using hand and power tools.
A fixer mason builds stone walls using mortar and specialist fixings and often repairs stonework, an important part of maintaining heritage.
Either type of stonemason will work on projects such as repairing old buildings and monuments, carving or repairing statues and making and fitting stonework.
A short history of masonry
Masonry originated when early man started to create artificial caves made from stone and pieces of caked mud and by the 4th millennium, Egypt had created some impressive masonry techniques which resulted in the formation of the pyramids. The pyramids are, to this day, still one of the most impressive structures ever made.
The choice of masonry materials depended on what was available in that area at the time. In Egypt, they typically used stone such as limestone, sandstone and granite, and gypsum and rubber were used to fill in the gaps, despite having no binding properties. The Romans began erecting structures using well-cut blocks of clay and cement which they formed using pozzolan and volcanic ash. Whereas the Persian empire was created using sun-dried clay bricks.
During Medieval times masonry was used to construct castles, cathedrals and bridges designed to last and many of which are still standing today. Built using masonry stone and limestone, giving them the bright white/yellow colour, they were able to create much higher and substantial superstructures.
Masonry continued to evolve and with the introduction of machinery during the industrial revolution, it became much easier to transport and create these structures. The use of sophisticated mathematics meant that more elaborate structures were being built and they were more stable than ever before.
In the late 19th century, metal frames began to replace bricks and mortar as cities started to expand upwards and concrete blocks began to replace stone.
Types of masonry walls
There are several types of masonry walls used to construct structures today depending on what purpose the structure provides.
Here are some of the walls that your local builders can install:
Load bearing masonry walls
Usually used for large buildings, these types of walls are used to transfer weight from the roof to the foundations and can be an exterior or interior wall. Made using bricks, stones or concrete blocks they are an economical load bearing structure compared to framed structures.
The thickness of these walls is dependent on how much weight it is supporting and can be reinforced or unreinforced. If it is supporting multiple storeys it will require a thicker load bearing wall to ensure the structural integrity of the building. Non-load bearing walls are only intended to hold the weight of themselves and any cladding or sheathings attached.
Reinforced masonry walls
Reinforced masonry walls are used to create a much stronger structure able to better withstand weather and heavy compression forces. Reinforcement placed inside the walls helps it to withstand tension forces and heavy loads. If not reinforced, walls can crack and fail with little ability to endure lateral forces during heavy wind and rain.
Reinforcements are used both vertically and horizontally at intervals to ensure cracks don’t form due to earth pressure or differential settlement of foundations. The load on the walls and its structural conditions determine the size of the reinforcement and their quantity.
Hollow masonry walls
Hollow masonry walls are used for temperature control and to stop moisture from reaching the inside of the building by using a hollow space between the inside and outside face of the wall which stops water and heat from passing through the wall. Masonry walls, or cavity walls, are created using hollow masonry units or combined hollow and solid units.
When a wall is exposed to moisture for long periods, the water passes through the brick into the cavity and flows down through the hollow space. The water drains out through the weep holes to the exterior of the building helping to prevent damp from forming inside.
Composite masonry walls
Composite masonry walls combine two materials, usually bricks or stone and hollow brick, and are used for a more aesthetically pleasing look while still being economical. In composite masonry walls, two layers of brick are built and bonded together. One layer of brick masonry is called a wrythe and therefore, in this instance, two wrythes are used and bonded together using a horizontal joint reinforcement or steel ties.
A composite wall will generally lower the cost of construction as they cover up the works on the inside of the wall with higher-quality materials on the outside, meaning only one wrythe of superior materials are needed.
Post-tensioned masonry walls
Post-tensioned masonry walls provide a stronger defence against forces that may cause tension in the wall such as strong weather or earthquakes. These walls require post-tensioning rods to be anchored into the foundation to provide support formed from the foundation of the wall. Tension rods are made from steel and are inserted vertically between the wythes or into the core of concrete masonry units. Finally, the rods will be tensioned and anchored on the steel plate at the top of the wall.
How to find a reliable company
When looking for a company to complete masonry repairs, masonry projects and building services it’s important to find a reliable company to get the job done to a high standard. You’ll be placing a lot of trust in the masonry company you choose, whether for industrial building construction or to build your dream home, here’s how to find a reliable masonry company.
Know what you need
Understanding what it is you want to get done will help you when contacting potential contractors and explaining to them what you want them to do. Listing all your expectations and setting a budget will make the process simpler, and up-front communication will make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Do research
Having a look online for reviews and recommendations will give you a better idea of how reliable a company is. It’s also worth asking friends, family and neighbours what company they used so you can trust that you will find a reputable masonry contractor.
See how long they have been operating in this industry and get an idea of what kind of work they do. Most companies will have more information on their website about costs, reviews and testimonials.
Request permits and quotes in advance
If you have chosen a company to complete your masonry work, ask them for an estimate so that you have a rough idea of how much it is going to cost you. It’s also important that the company is completely licensed and insured and follows all compliance requirements. A professional company will have liability insurance and workmen’s compensation.
Get everything in writing
You’ll need to get a detailed contract before any work starts, outlining all details, terms and conditions, and expenses. You shouldn’t be left in the dark about anything and a professional contractor will be able to provide you with any documents upon request.
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