Patios are a fun and practical addition to any home, and there are many reasons for having one installed by a masonry contractor. That said, it isn’t always easy to know whether a brick or concrete patio is best, and there are arguments in favor of both.
Tripping up over cracks in your own driveway or your walkway, is no laughing matter, and when someone else trips over on them, it could have serious repercussions for you. But while it isn’t uncommon for the concrete outside a property to shift over time and eventually crack, it can also crack inside your home and cause problems for the foundation, particularly if your home has been built on top of a concrete slab.
A stunning addition to any home when installed professionally, concrete walkways, driveways and patios can also increase a homes’ functionality from an external perspective, and make getting to and around the property, a lot safer and comfortable.
Used for hundreds of different types of construction work, from sidewalks and homes to high rise towers, concrete has properties that can be customized according to the specific needs of each building job, and has played a significant role in the construction industry since its humble beginnings way back in 1875.
Qualified masons are trained to work with a variety of different materials, and some of these include clay and concrete brick, natural rock, terracotta and ceramic or stone. However, it’s important to note that not all masons have the same level of experience and skill, and if you’re looking for a qualified masonry contractor to carry out work for you, you’ll need to ask them a few questions first:
Making the exterior of a home or business look attractive with hardscaping, is something that more and more people are investing in, and from patios and driveways, to retaining walls and walkways, there are plenty of ways to do exactly that.
If you’re waiting for warmer weather before tackling your concrete repair work, it might be worth checking with a local construction company as to whether that’s a sensible idea or not. While you might automatically think that a sultry summer’s day would be ideal for repairing concrete that’s showing signs of wear, humid and hot weather conditions can actually stop the concrete from setting properly, while colder temperatures can easily cause the formation of cracks.
Signs of cracks appearing in any concrete structure can be alarming, but while they should never be ignored, some are inevitable and require less attention than others.
There are certain projects around the home that benefit from the skills of a masonry contractor, and in many cases, their work can embellish a home and make it unique.
Concrete homes aren’t always popular in the U.S., despite the many advantages they offer. With wood still a popular choice of house making material for many homeowners, it’s important to look at all your options when building a home from the ground up, and to carefully consider all of the available choices.
As one of the most popular and effective building materials, concrete is used in construction throughout the world, and is valued for its strength and durability. When it comes to landscaping, concrete is also a popular choice because of its versatility; with many shapes, colors and textures made possible, the design opportunities are virtually limitless in comparison to other materials used for paving and other outdoor spaces.
While concrete is undoubtedly a strong material to use for a driveway, there are still ways in which it can become cracked and damaged. Left unrepaired, cracks in concrete can become worse, and in some cases, the concrete needs to be replaced in its entirety.
Durable and low-maintenance, concrete is an excellent material for constructing walkways, driveways, entrances and backyard patios from, and maintains its condition well in those states that regularly experience colder climates, too. However, concrete is only ever as good as the person installing it, so if you’re planning to have any concrete work carried out at your home, be sure to engage with an experienced company who are qualified and equipped to work with concrete.
Concrete is by far the world’s most widely used material for construction projects, and it has many advantages when compared with other materials. If you’re unsure whether to use concrete to build your new home or office, the following points might just convince you otherwise:
Whether you’re upgrading your home or office, or having something built from scratch, there’s a good chance you’ll be working with concrete for at least some of the project, and while it might be tempting to try and tackle the work yourself, it’s rarely a wise choice and can result in serious structural issues further down the line.
It can be easy to think of concrete houses as ugly, unstylish grey blocks with windows, but nowadays, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Changes in styles and methods have meant that concrete homes are becoming an increasingly popular choice, and are often considered for any home building project.
A driveway is an essential part of many homes across the U.S. and they can make a huge difference not only to the way a home looks, but the way it functions, too. However, a poorly constructed driveway can just as easily turn your home into an eyesore, and make getting to it a real trial.
If left untreated, cracks and holes in masonry can affect the overall appearance of your home, and perhaps more importantly, worsen and cause further damage over time. With pests able to enter freely, along with water and drafts, holes and cracks in your home or business should be addressed immediately, and by contacting your local masonry contractor, they can help determine whether the stone, concrete, or brickwork needs to be repaired or replaced.
The different lintel types available for use in construction, each have their own pros and cons, with the most commonly used being made out of timber, concrete and steel.
Having any kind of concrete paver installation at your home is a beneficial addition provided the work is carried out by professionals, but it’s important that the right base materials are selected.
When people look to expand their landscaping, they frequently choose concrete, flagstone, and pavers. The ultimate goal is to create a functional outdoor area for gatherings, all while considering its durability. When choosing a paver for your project, you will come across an infinite number of options. How do you choose which style is right for you?
When people look to expand their landscaping, they frequently choose concrete, flagstone, and pavers. The ultimate goal is to create a functional outdoor area for gatherings, all while considering its durability. When choosing a paver for your project, you will come across an infinite number of options. How do you choose which style is right for you?
While building your own home can be a fantastic idea, there are few individuals who are capable of doing so without the project becoming a disaster, as they’re simply not qualified or experienced to act as their own general contractor, or GC. Hence, for most, it makes sense to hire a professional, licensed contractor.
Many homeowners choose to have their driveways constructed using paving stones, and it’s easy to see why. With their clean lines, soft colors, and durability, not to mention the fact that they’re almost entirely free of any technical defects (unlike concrete or asphalt, for example), pavers make an excellent choice for driveways of all shapes and sizes.
Structures that are built using masonry techniques are made from single units laid and bound together with mortar, and brick, stone and concrete blocks are the most commonly used materials in masonry construction.
If you’re having your home built by a professional construction company or general contractor, you’ll need to sit down together and have a conversation about what your home will be built from, and how it will be constructed.
A well-constructed and maintained driveway can make a real statement about a home, and as such, investing in them makes a lot of sense. If your existing driveway is less than impressive, or you want to create one from the space outside your home, it’s important to make the right choices when it comes to the materials you use. The following brief guide will give you a basic idea about the different materials available, but a conversation with your local paving or general construction contractor, will help give you a much more detailed understanding:
If you’re planning on having your new home professionally constructed, you’ll need to think carefully about what you want it to be made from. Masonry construction is a popular choice for many homeowners, and can not only make your home look great from the outside, but can make your home structurally stronger. Among the most common types of materials used for masonry construction are brick, stone and concrete, and below we look at their advantages in more detail:
With any type of project involving a construction or renovation process, cost will likely be a key factor in determining whether you can go ahead with the project or not, or to what extent you can add on to, or renovate your home. However, while many homeowners are deterred by the seemingly high price of professional masonry services, it’s important to understand why their work is priced the way it is, and what factors can impact their final estimate.
As one of the oldest methods of construction known to man, masonry has been used to build many important, unique and historic structures the world over, and thanks to its durability and strength, many of them are still standing today.
If you’re planning to construct a new home, while you will likely have thought about what materials you should build it from, you may not have considered the local climate when doing so.
Driveways perform an important role, and as such, it’s important to carefully consider the materials a new driveway will be constructed from. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your tired, drab or damaged driveway, or are having a driveway installed for your newly built home, an expert construction firm can guide you as to the most suitable materials for your location, and here are just a few of them:
Whether you’re trying to sell the home that you’re currently living in, are planning to sell it in the future, or are having a home built with the idea of selling it, there are many things you can do to help increase a property’s value.
Making your home stand out from the Jones’s is easy with the addition of some expert masonry construction, and by adding some durable and aesthetically pleasing stone elements to the exterior of your home – like a patio or outdoor fireplace – you can do more than make your home look better than your neighbors, you can make it look the best in the entire neighborhood!
A parapet wall is a structure that assists in safeguarding the perimeter of a roof or balcony. They are frequently found in the field of civil engineering, and a plethora of diverse variations can be employed based on the undertaking. Within this blog, we shall deliberate upon the various applications in the realm of building and civil engineering.
When building a new home, it goes without saying that you want it to be able to stand the test of time, and that means having it constructed from a strong, durable material. Below are 5 of the strongest house building materials, but don’t forget that a proper consultation with a construction company in your area can help you determine the best material for your specific home:
A parapet wall is a structure that assists in safeguarding the perimeter of a roof or balcony. They are frequently found in the field of civil engineering, and a plethora of diverse variations can be employed based on the undertaking. Within this blog, we shall deliberate upon the various applications in the realm of building and civil engineering.
Used in all manner of construction projects throughout the world, whether for residential, commercial or industrial purposes, masonry structures are typically sturdy, durable, energy efficient, resistant to fire and even sound-proof. That said, while nothing beats masonry in terms of longevity in the construction world, it can still be prone to damage that if left unrepaired or unrestored, can pose a serious threat to the very integrity of a building or other such structure.
Providing one of the best returns on a construction investment in the architectural industry, masonry construction has many advantages; below are just 9 of them:
Renovating your home from top to bottom, often referred to as a ‘gut renovation,’ is a fantastic way to elevate its appeal if selling, and make it more comfortable to use if it’s a forever home.
Adding a room to your home, in the majority of instances, is a hugely rewarding and significant project, but it requires a lot of careful forethought and some intelligent, meticulous design.
A second-story balcony is a wonderful addition to any home, but no matter how small you want it to be, it’s always best to have a professional construction company carry out the work for you.
Homeowners with balconies certainly reaped the rewards when COVID-19 forced global populations into lockdown due to COVID-19, and even a tiny balcony enabled people to get some fresh air and look out on the rest of the world without leaving the confines of their home. With this in mind, more and more architects are calling for homes to be designed with balconies, citing a range of mental, social and physical health benefits.
When thinking about building a new home, or any kind of structure, you’ll likely be choosing between brick or stone masonry, but how do you decide between the two?
Whether you already have a driveway and it’s need of restoration or upgrading, or you want to have a completely new driveway installed at your home, having a paved one can not only look great, but be great in practical terms, too.
There are many ways that you can help to transform your home and make it look more visually appealing, often while increasing its functionality, too; adding a deck to your home is one simple way of achieving both:
Public safety is a top priority in New York City. More than a million buildings in NYC must abide by the laws and safety regulations established by the Department of Buildings (DOB) of the city. To further promote “integrity in the construction industry,” the DOB even published an Industry Code of Conduct. A building will receive a violation notice if it violates any DOB laws. But not every infraction is the same. The violation may serve as the basis for a criminal court summons and prosecution, depending on how serious it was. Others have no immediate fines or penalties, so building owners may be inclined to overlook them. Additionally, a standard title search will reveal all reported violations on the property when it comes to buying, selling, or renovating a building. This will put a stop to any further development and property sales until the violations are resolved. Any violation should be handled seriously and right away since it raises concerns about public safety.
Building violations in New York City are no joke, but armed with the right information, and by seeking help from an experienced construction firm who can successfully and legally rectify the issues, you can tackle them with confidence and minimize penalties.
In some markets across the U.S. today, there are many housing options to choose from, and if you’re looking to buy a new property, there’s a chance you’ll find exactly what you want. However, for those with specialist requirements or very specific desires and dreams when it comes to finding the perfect home, building their own is the most effective option.
Formerly known as Local Law, The NYC Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) mandates that all buildings in New York City have their facades regularly inspected and repaired if they’re more than six stories tall. But what exactly is the FISP safety program? Let’s take a closer look: