Green Building with Masonry
26 January 2007
Sustainability and green building are the buzzwords of the day, and for good reason. They will more than likely be on everyone's mind over the next few decades as people become more conscious of their actions on this Earth - and the consequences of those actions.It's important to consider what materials you're going to use when you build a new home or remodel your existing home. The Mason Contractors Association of America has some excellent advice when it comes to choosing brick and concrete masonry products.
Whether you're just interested in finding out how you can make a difference or you're a diehard conservationist, this is valuable information to keep and to pass along to friends and family if they're considering a new construction or renovation project. Both now and, in our hopefully healthy, future:
- "'The ingredients of masonry and mortar are inert, non-toxic, and promote excellent indoor air quality,' states the Portland Cement Association. Masonry's natural textures and colors also eliminate the need for painting, drywall, or other finishes that could result in undesirable chemicals in the air. The reduced potential for mold growth (masonry does not provide a food source, does not rot, and can be easily cleaned) also supports indoor air quality.
- Daylighting, outdoor views, and masonry's flexibility to comply with such demands also make it a natural choice for any project. Since walls are constructed on site, design considerations are easily accommodated. And, occupants reap the benefits: employees' health and productivity are enhanced by better work spaces, chemically sensitive patients are inhaling clean air, shoppers are staying longer and buying more, and children are learning and playing carefree.
- Local material supplies are satisfied on the LEED checklist because masonry products are commonly extracted from and manufactured within the building site region supporting the local economy, minimizing fuel requirements for handling and transport, and reducing traffic congestion and resultant emissions. Local material use also helps to keep building costs down.
- Masonry's thermal mass characteristics provide optimal heating and cooling efficiency. Masonry walls remain warm or cool long after the heat or air-conditioner has shut off. This attribute not only reduces heating and cooling loads but stabilizes indoor temperature shifts and exchanges typical peak heating and cooling loads to off-peak hours. Daylighting also comes into play with energy conservation as natural light can reduce the need for artificial lighting fixtures and the energy needed to run them. Masonry's color and texture options can also create reflective surfaces which lend themselves to further energy efficiency and reduced building operation costs.
- Masonry is renewable and reusable. Rock and sand are in no short supply and are easily accessible, thus renewable. A building's life speaks to its reusability. The goal being to extend its usable existence. Masonry is a durable material whose life cycle exceeds that of many other building envelope products. It is resistant to fire, water, and insects. As a result, it presents the opportunity to refurbish an existing building's structure and shell as opposed to tearing down and starting anew. And, once again, cost savings are realized due to masonry's resiliency and low maintenance nature."
Labels: Green Building, Masonry Benefits, Masonry Construction, Sustainability
Brick Pavers
16 January 2007
Bricks can be used almost anywhere inside or outside your home. They are found in walls, fireplaces, driveways, floors, on siding and are used to make back patios.If you're planning to install bricks as a walkway or your patio, you'll need what are called brick pavers.
Keep in mind, a brick paver is not the same as the standard brick. The type of brick used in a fireplace chimney or on brick veneer is very porous and more soft than brick pavers. These pavers are stronger than ordinary bricks and can withstand the elements better. They are more exposed when the bricks are layed out in a patio or driveway to water, temperature changes, and sunlight. If you install a brick sidewalk using regular bricks they will crack, chip, and crumble in no time.
You can buy brick pavers at a local home improvement or hardware store, but you'll get a better quality of brick pavers from a brick supplier or wholesale manufacturer. Because these bricks are very hard, they can be very hard to cut. If you're doing it yourself, you'll need to make sure you either plan a paving path that has few or no curves or you'll need to make sure you've got cutting tools with masonry blades. And the more curves you have, the more wasted brick you'll have because you'll be cutting and leaving a lot of brick pieces behind. The more curves, in other words, the higher your budget.
Brick pavers look really good and they can last for a hundred years or more so I'll just let you in on some of the problems with brick:
Disadvantages to Brick Pavers
- Bricks can be more expensive that cheaper concrete blocks
- Pavers can collect moss easily - maintenance may be required to keep the slippery moss to a minimum
- Due to the firing process, bricks can really vary in size so a perfect fit will require playing around with multiple bricks to find the right one
- If you're working with multiple pallets of bricks, they could be from different batches. Make sure you or your masonry contractor takes bricks from both pallets as the pavers are being laid done to keep from having a giant color mark on the path or patio
Labels: Brick Pavers
Advantages of a Masonry Built Home
11 January 2007
Over the past few decades, the majority of houses have been built with timber construction. However, people have been turning to masonry-built homes created with brick and concrete block. Why the turn around? More and more, there has been great interest in energy conservation, low maintenance materials, and the concept of "building green" to conserve our environment.Masonry home construction meets all those demands and more. According to the Arizona Masonry Guild's website, a masonry house can offer tremendous advantages over a house built with a wood frame.
Here are some of the masonry advantages listed:
- Lower Energy Bills - the thermal mass of a concrete masonry house can keep a home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Soundproofing - the thicker walls help deaden the noise outside and around a house.
- Fire Resistance - masonry walls help prevent the spread of fire.
- Termite Resistance - without wood, there is no food source for termites.
- Mold Resistance - no exterior rot from wood means that the mold and fungus cannot get into a house and spread throughout.
- Weather Resistance - masonry can hold up to wind, water, sunlight, and low temperatures.
- Lower Insurance Bills - since masonry construction has the resistances listed above, insurance companies will discount premiums paid because of lower costs associated with a house like this.
- Environmentally Friendly - masonry products don't use up our timber and tree resources like a wood frame house.
Labels: Masonry, Masonry Benefits, Masonry Construction, New Home Construction
Interior Brick Flooring
04 January 2007
Occasionally, a homeowner will want a truly unique look in their house. If you're tired of your hardwood floors and want to make a big statement in your house - a thin, brick veneer can easily be installed by a masonry company. With a 3/8" or 3/4" brick, you won't have to worry about any additional weight being added to your sub floors. And it will have the same look and feel of a full brick paved floor. Also, because it's a think veneer, you won't be limiting the height of the room with the installation.
You can go with a brick installation on the floor that will have the same irregularities, color variations, and durability that you'd find in a brick wall! If you feel that might be a bit too rough to be underfoot in your home, you can have a sealer put on that will either coat the surface or penetrate the material. The surface coating sealer might be the best option to keep the surface level and smooth. The sealing also ensures that cleaning will be fairly easy.
It could be a great option in your home and it will provide a very unique, beautiful, and extremely durable floor that could make it the talk of the neighborhood.
If you need to find a brick flooring installer, you should post your project with Construction Deal and we'll help match you to local companies. It's a fast, free and easy way to find a brick mason in your area.
You can go with a brick installation on the floor that will have the same irregularities, color variations, and durability that you'd find in a brick wall! If you feel that might be a bit too rough to be underfoot in your home, you can have a sealer put on that will either coat the surface or penetrate the material. The surface coating sealer might be the best option to keep the surface level and smooth. The sealing also ensures that cleaning will be fairly easy.
It could be a great option in your home and it will provide a very unique, beautiful, and extremely durable floor that could make it the talk of the neighborhood.
If you need to find a brick flooring installer, you should post your project with Construction Deal and we'll help match you to local companies. It's a fast, free and easy way to find a brick mason in your area.
Labels: Brick Installation, Brick Veneer, Interior Brick Flooring
