Concrete and Masonry

Concrete and Masonry for the Homeowner

While it might not be the oldest profession, it’s pretty close: concrete and masonry.

The Romans used concrete as we know it and it led to an empire that still has buildings and aqueducts standing all over Europe and Africa. Throughout the world, buildings are made from brick and concrete block. These buildings and homes are among the most durable structures in the world.

Nearly every home in the world is touched by the art of masonry. In most cases, the house’s foundation is made from concrete. Often, the walls are partially or entirely made from brick or concrete block.

Here is a homeowner’s guide to concrete work and masonry for the home.

Concrete, Cement, and Masonry: Understanding the Differences

While most people use these words interchangeably, they are actually different. Here are some definitions that can help to make it easier to understand.

Concrete – Concrete is an aggregate of cement, crushed rock, and sand. Most buildings are made with concrete, since it is strong and versatile.
Cement – Cement is specifically a binding material made from lime or calcium silicate. It is made in hydraulic and non-hydraulic version. Hydraulic will set in wet conditions, even underwater, whereas the non-hydraulic will not.
Masonry – This is the art and science of building structures out of individual units, like bricks and blocks. This is different from concrete work, which involves pouring concrete into forms to create the buildings.

One of the most beautiful forms of concrete is stucco. Here is a great article on putting stucco siding on your home.

Different Types of Masonry

Masons, the artisans that work with concrete, cement, and stones, use all of these ingredients to create everything from walkways to the Sistine Chapel. Here are some of the different types of masonry that exist.

Brick – Made from clay and other ingredients, bricks are among the oldest building materials. The bricks are then glued together with mortar. The resulting building is incredibly strong and durable. Often, the brick erodes before the mortar does.
Block – Concrete is pre-cast into blocks. These blocks are then mortared together to create building that are often commercial. Block walls can be covered with siding and sheetrock to hide the less-than-attractive block.

Stone – From river rock to cut stones, stone walls are among the oldest forms of masonry. Using the rocks found nearby, masons built walls and homes out of the rock. Today, that stone is either imported or manufactured to give it a rustic appearance.
Marble – Using high gloss stones, like marble and granite, a building has a regal and powerful appearance. Often, these stones are a veneer over concrete block, but there are many cases where walls have been built out of solid marble.

These are only a few of the types of masonry that one can look at for building or renovating the home.

Concrete

Concrete, along with steel and often working together, is the foundation of our modern society. Trucks mixing tons of concrete, deliver their flowing, wet stone mixture to be poured into nearly any shape. From the straight sides of a skyscraper to the giant ‘sails’ of the Sydney Opera House, concrete has allowed humans to soar to new heights and create astounding wonders.

Whether you’re building an architectural icon or simply making a pathway, the basic concept is the same: liquid concrete is poured into a mold, usually made from wood, and left to dry and harden. Often, this process is done offsite, creating concrete slabs that are then put together on site.

Concrete can be found everywhere in our world. The Chunnel under the English Channel and the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City keep millions of tons of water off of commuters with concrete. Roadways and bridges are all constructed from the material. Nearly every modern basement and foundation is made from it.

It is liquid rock that resists erosion and breaking. It provides protection from the elements and from vermin. Mixed in different formulas, it can even keep you safe from earthquakes and tornadoes.

Considerations for Hiring a Mason or Concrete Contractor

Masons and concrete contractors, like all other contractors, need to be licensed. It’s important that they are also very experienced. Here are some of the things that you need to look for and ask for when hiring someone to do this work:

Look for a specialist – For a simple walkway that won’t kill someone if it fails, a general contractor might be fine. For walls, foundations, and retaining walls, you want someone who is experienced and trained. The wrong mixture or the wrong thickness and you can have a catastrophic accident.
Ask for a license – Every contractor must be licensed by the state or province. Ask them for a copy of their license or at least their license number. You should then contact the appropriate authority and confirm that the license is current and in good standing.

Ask for insurance – The contractor must have liability insurance. If they don’t complete a job or do more harm than good, you need to have recourse to get things fixed. Ask for their insurance information and contact their insurance provider to confirm that the policy is in effect and paid up.
Workers’ compensation insurance – If they will have someone working with them on the site, they need to have workers’ compensation insurance. If their employee is injured and they don’t have this insurance, you can be held liable. You can lose your home and more to someone who was hurt on the job.
Online and personal recommendations – Look for online reviews and ask for references. Again, for a garden path, it might not matter. If they are going to rebuild a wall of your home, you want to make sure that they have a good reputation.