Find a Masonry Contractor

When you need to brick or stone mason you usually have to look through the yellow pages. Or ask a friend for a referral.

At ConstructionDeal.com - we can help! It's the fast, free & easy way to find a masonry pro.


On our site, you can:

• Submit your masonry installation or masonry repair project in minutes!
  

• Get 4 quotes from local Masonry Companies.
  

• Talk with prospective Masons and make your decision.
  

• Save time by not calling contractors at random from your outdated phone book!
  

• Save money by getting multiple bids from several masonry service companies - you have the option to go with the best bid!
  

• Do all of this -- at no cost -- with ConstructionDeal.com
  

Many homeowners need a masonry contractor build or repair walks, paving, fireplaces, veneers, steps, or walls.

When you Brick or Stone Mason think of ConstructionDeal.com and submit your project today!

Labels: Brick Installation, Brick Pavers, Masonry Benefits, Masonry Construction

A lot of homeowners want to use brick because they love the look and feel. It's great for siding, patios, and walks. Not only does it look great, but it lasts a long time.

However, to make sure the bricks last as long as possible and looks good in the process, many homeowners want to know what they have to do to maintain them.

We asked our friends over at Naper Valley Masonry, Inc. to give us the scoop on what is required for proper brick maintenance. Naper Valley Masonry specializes in high-end residential construction work in the Chicago area - and if anyone knows how to maintain an exterior of a house in a nasty climate, it's these guys!

"Brick is one of the most common choices for basic masonry materials. It's made of fired clay and is available in various choices of color and texture. It can be one of the higher-priced exterior finishes; however, being water repellent, easy to maintain and less expensive in the long run, it is a preferred choice for many homeowners. Brick masonry should last 100 years, with the first 25 free of maintenance. The most common maintenance is repairing loose joints between bricks, commonly called tuck pointing.

Stone is an ancient form of masonry. In theory it will last a lifetime. Stone exteriors work best when installed with traditional techniques. Problems can occur when mixing stone masonry with new building techniques. For example, many homeowners want the look of stone without paying the cost to get a properly-built stone exterior. They choose to go with stone veneer over a modern stud frame. This will likely fail over time.

Water is stone masonry's worst enemy because freeze-thaw cycles can cause cracks. Properly sealed stone masonry prevents these problems. Routine checking of your building’s exterior should be practiced after heavy rains. Any dark patches on the wall indicate that water has soaked into the surface, occurrences such as these will likely lead to problems in the future.

Bricks which have absorbed water are susceptible to their outer surfaces to flake off. When this happens, the damaged bricks need to be replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, large areas of the walls of your house will be affected and it will become expensive to rectify.

Concrete block masonry is more common with industrial buildings. It should last 50 to 80 years, and the joints may need to be fixed after 25 years. Unlike brick, concrete blocks are not waterproof. You'll need to apply a water seal every 10 years. Some effective water seals are Silane and Siloxane, which can be applied by spray, after which they will soak into the surface of the wall like stain.

Signs of green algae growing on outside walls and black mold or wallpaper peeling off internal walls are a sign of dampness within the brickwork. Cracked bricks may indicate a serious problem with foundations. Ultimately the quality of the brickwork and masonry will determine how much and how soon repairs will be necessary, so choose wisely when getting masonry work done."

If you're in the Chicagoland area, give the guys at Naper Valley Masonry a call (630-978-7405) to get a quote on your brick masonry installation. Tell them you read about them on the ConstructionDeal.com website! And, if you're not in that area, you can always post your job on our site to find a quality brick or stone installer!

Labels: Brick Exteriors, Home Maintenance, Masonry Benefits

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 on masonry construction 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 re-usability. 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."

Need to Find a Brick Mason?
If you're looking to find a masonry company or local brick contractor to help with your remodeling, home addition, siding, paving, or home building project - submit it to ConstructionDeal.com.

It's free, for one, and it's fast. You'll be able to receive several bids from brick contractors in your area who will help get the job done and help you save and protect the environment!

Labels: Green Building, Masonry Benefits, Masonry Construction, Sustainability

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 turnaround? 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:

• 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.

Need to Find a Masonry Pro?
If you're looking to build a home addition or construct a new home, consider the advantages and benefits of a masonry house. To find a masonry company or a masonry contractor in your area - we can help!

Simply submit your masonry project to ConstructionDeal.com - at no cost - and we'll match you to quality brick masons as little as 24 hours (sometimes in a matter of minutes!) It will save you time and money.

Labels: Masonry, Masonry Benefits, Masonry Construction, New Home Construction