Popular Types of Massachusetts Stone For Stone Masonry
The Massachusetts stone masonry industry regularly use many types of natural and artificial stone. Choosing the right Massachusetts stone for your Massachusetts Stone Masonry is important.
Here are some different types of natural Massachusetts stone, found in the three, main geographical rock types:
Igneous Igneous rock is formed by the cooling of magma or lava and may or may not involve crystallization characteristics. Natural, igneous stone types include Granite which is one of the hardest stone around and requires special stonemason techniques to work with. It is generally used by masons for its strength and durability in countertops, kerbstones and flooring.
- Other igneous rock types include the softer Pumice and Scoria to the more harder Obsidian and Basalt stone which are used in Massachusetts stone masonry for groundwork and building blocks.
Metamorphic Metamorphic rock is rock which has undergone transformation from an existing rock type, involving extreme pressures and temperatures over long periods of time, resulting in profound chemical and physical ‘metamorphism’.
- Marble is a typical and popular metamorphic rock which has, by tradition, been carved into statues, and for facing Renaissance stonework.
- There are many types of marble differentiated by their colour, petographic type and other factors.
- Some common types include the white or blue-grey Carrara marble quarried in Carrara, Italy.
- Marble is used by stonemasons mainly for it’s decorative characteristics in flooring, tiling and in fireplaces.
- Another popular metamorphic rock is Slate. Its hardness and granularity provides a sharpness which is popular for memorials and inscriptions. Its layered form enables masons to split it into thin plates and use it as a roofing material.
Sedimentary Sedimentary rock is formed in water from the sedimentation of other rock, calcium deposits and organic particles. Again, a long process and application of heat and pressure to form strata layers into a structure called bedding. Within this bedding you may also find fossil fuels and ores.
- Common Sedimentary rock are limestone.
- Frequently used examples of limestone include Yorkstone, Sydney and Bath and Portland stone which most of the City of Bath is made from.
- Kentish Ragstone is another famous limestone from Kent used by Kent stonemasons of the past.
- Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Kent’s Castles such as Leeds Castle are all famous stoneworks made from Kent Ragstone by Kent masons.
- Travertine is also a popular limestone which is used for its soft aesthetic looks. It is frequently used as a cladding, in flooring, walls and in bathrooms
Choosing the right Massachusetts stone for your Massachusetts Stone Masonry is important. If you have any more questions, be sure to contact your local Massachusetts Stone Masonry Contractor.
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If you are looking for a Stone masonry contractor in the New England and Boston area, please call 508-335-8441 or complete our online request form.
Outdoor South Shore Fireplace Masonry
Outdoor masonry South Shore fireplaces add a classic touch, and create a warm and magical atmosphere to any outdoor space such as garden, patio, backyard, or pool area. Though expensive to build and maintain, masonry fireplaces have an old world charm and romance associated with them. These are ideal places around which a family can gather and share sweet moments.
Traditional masonry fireplaces are built with footing, a firebrick-lined firebox, and a brick-lined or stone chimney. Attractive and durable South Shore fireplaces can be crafted out at a reasonable cost by a highly-skilled mason. Brick and sandstone are the raw materials commonly used. Masonry fireplaces may be designed from volcanic pumice stone, high quality marble or attractive natural sandstone. Usually masonry fireplaces are built with hearths matching the stone used. Masonry construction is proof against rain or snow. These fireplaces usually have chimneys to emit hot gases and smoke.
In some designs, flat pieces of rock are installed by hand for custom fit, providing a unique design and style. The bottom part is fixed up to six inches below soil surface. Robinson rock, a natural stone, is also popularly used for fireplace construction nowadays. Fire Rock’s pre-engineered fireplace system is a new provision for building a masonry fireplace more quickly and economically than a hand-built, brick and mortar structure. It is cast from South Shore masonry material, which does not yield to rust.
Traditional fireplaces use wood to build the flame. If you are looking for a masonry fireplace with gas either natural or propane, you will not have to deal with smoke, sparks, cleaning up ashes or gathering wood logs. Finding a mason contractor to build your outdoor fireplace is of course the first step in ensuring a beautiful outdoor space.
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If you are looking for a Residential masonry contractor in the New England and Boston area, please call 508-335-8441 or complete our online request form.
The Art of Masonry in Worcester
The building materials that are most commonly used in this type of construction is brick, tile, concrete block, marble, stone, granite, glass block and or travertine using some form of mortar. Masonry is considered to be a highly durable form of building technique with certain types of materials. But, the quality of workmanship and material will determine the overall construction of a structure.
The building of retaining walls, walls of buildings and monuments are some of the most common applications of masonry building techniques. Concrete blocks and bricks are generally some of the most common building materials that are used in masonry construction. The reason behind this is because these two types of materials have more strength than materials such as wood for instance. Rebar or other types of steel reinforcements can be added also to help improve the tensile strength of a structure.
One of the oldest forms of masonry is stonemasonry in the history of construction. This type of masonry is one skill that has always been in high demand throughout ancient and modern times. This is considered to be a traditional skill. Some of the best forms of stonemasonry can still be seen today. Many of the castles in Europe and the Great Wall of China are still standing today. The stonemasons even in ancient times were highly skilled in this type of construction. There work is still standing today due to the quality of the construction materials used and the skill that was involved.
There are many advantages of using building materials such as brick or stone. Buildings made out of these types of construction materials keep a building cooler in the summer and warmer during colder months. Brick, marble and granite for instance do not need to be painted and does not attract insects like wood. Masonry is also very heat resistance and is harder to catch on fire like wood or other construction materials. Masonry structures are also more resistant to extreme weather conditions such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Masonry is a skill that very few master. When deciding to build a structure out of stone, brick or concrete blocks it is important to higher a skilled mason. This will not only save one the headache of trying to do it yourself, it will insure that the end project will last for many years and in some cases centuries. Without the art of masonry many of our most treasured structures and monuments would not be here for us to enjoy today.
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Brockton Outdoor Fireplace Masonry
Brockton Outdoor masonry fireplaces add a classic touch, and create a warm and magical atmosphere to any outdoor space such as garden, patio, backyard, or pool area. Though expensive to build and maintain, masonry fireplaces have an old world charm and romance associated with them. These are ideal places around which a family can gather and share sweet moments.
Traditional Brockton masonry fireplaces are built with footing, a firebrick-lined firebox, and a brick-lined or stone chimney. Attractive and durable fireplaces can be crafted out at a reasonable cost by a highly-skilled mason. Brick and sandstone are the raw materials commonly used. Masonry fireplaces may be designed from volcanic pumice stone, high quality marble or attractive natural sandstone. Usually masonry fireplaces are built with hearths matching the stone used. Masonry construction is proof against rain or snow. These fireplaces usually have chimneys to emit hot gases and smoke.
In some designs, flat pieces of rock are installed by hand for custom fit, providing a unique design and style. The bottom part is fixed up to six inches below soil surface. Robinson rock, a natural stone, is also popularly used for fireplace construction nowadays. Fire Rock’s pre-engineered fireplace system is a new provision for building a masonry fireplace more quickly and economically than a hand-built, brick and mortar structure. It is cast from masonry material, which does not yield to rust.
Traditional fireplaces use wood to build the flame. If you are looking for a Brockton masonry fireplace with gas either natural or propane, you will not have to deal with smoke, sparks, cleaning up ashes or gathering wood logs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Riverside
If you are looking for a Brick masonry contractor in the New England and Boston area, please call508-335-8441 or complete our online request form.
Boston Fireplace Ideas: Designs For Stone Fireplaces
Fireplace ideas that use stone as their primary element are now becoming really popular. They are labeled as one of the best options that you can go for if you want a hearth that can easily go well with any kind of interior design and architectural style. Fireplace mantels made from stone work ideally for both traditional and contemporary looks.
When go through different fireplace ideas for stone fireplaces, you can choose from a wide variety of stones that are available at building material suppliers and building contractors. Aside from the large variety of stones, there are tons of other ways for you to have these laid down so that you can come up with astonishing fireplace design plans. Let’s have a glimpse at the different concepts that you can opt for. If you want a basic design for your stone hearth, you first need to consider whether you’re looking for an indoor or outdoor design. Indoor designs and outdoor designs vary a lot in terms of mantel structure and size. You can choose to get a classic fireplace built in of your interior walls. This is the exact opposite of a standalone, which is typically installed against the walls along with a separate decorative mantel. Built in fireplace designs are really a popular choice for small spaces. For these types of designs, enough space is created inside the wall.
The interior carved area and the wall edges work as the mantel. In this kind of style, you can decorate your entire wall using your own set of creative ideas using different large and small stones.
Another great option that you can consider is to have unique designs for an outdoor fireplace, which have the basic structure dug inside the earth along with a nice decorative stone border that’s in line with the ground, which looks class apart. An outdoor hearth that’s designed with a unique shape or structure that’s made from stones will surely add an exquisite beauty element to your landscape outside the house. Lastly, you can try having fireplace mantels, which are the most popular of all basic hearth designs that can offer a pristine closed enclosure for both indoor and outdoor fireplace design plans. You will have a lot of options to choose from if you decide to go with a fireplace mantel. No matter what style you use, you will have a lot of options to choose from in terms of stones as well.
Let’s have a look at the different options that you have in terms of stones. For natural hearth designs, limestone is considered as a great option to choose because it’s natural color helps give out a classy but soft fireplace mantel that’s designed to perfectly suit your taste. In addition, it has a neutral color that can easily complement any kind of home decor and wall paint colors. On the other hand, granite and marble are also noteworthy options to consider especially if you have plans on having grand-looking design for your fireplace.
3 Steps to a Beautiful Stone Walkway in Your Massachusetts Yard
How often have you dreamed of having a lovely stone walkway through your Massachusetts yard or garden? Perhaps you’ve imagined how it will look, but have never had the financial resources to carry out your plans. Stone walkways can not only beautify your yard but also add solidity to walking paths with long-lasting practical use. If you’re on a limited budget but still want to create amazingly unique stone paths, consider using concrete stone molds. Outlined below are three simple steps to realizing your dream.
1. Purchase Stone Molds
Instead of buying pre-made manufactured stones, consider buying plaster molds so you can make your own. With concrete molds, you’ll buy the materials needed to make stones and then pick and choose from various coloring and mold designs to get the desired look. This enables you to achieve a truly matchless yard decor without spending a fortune on manufactured stones. You can buy one or two molds or a larger batch depending on the number of stones you’ll need. Measure how many stones you’ll likely need for your path before getting started. Also, determine if you want cobblestone, castle stone molds or another design.
2. Buy Materials
The second step is to buy the materials needed to use your concrete stone molds. Massachusetts Landscape stones can be created using a bag of premix concrete, water and a shovel. Then you’ll also buy special coloring, additive and a sealer to create your “footprint design” for each stone. Or, make your stones plain gray if so desired. You’ll need vegetable oil to lubricate the stone moulds so you can remove the stones easily after hardening.
When you purchase cement molds, make sure the molds come with easy-to-follow instructions. You can order concrete stone molds online and even read the instructions on the Web to see how simple the process is before buying. Some sites offer stone mold kits with everything you need plus 25 or more molds. This makes it a cinch to get started…and you don’t have to attend brick masonry class to do it! Also, be sure the moulds are of good quality and won’t break or crack under pressure when it’s time to remove your stones. Some are made of more durable materials to withstand the hardening and pressure.
3. Lay Your Stones
You can create stone paths in your yard as wide or narrow as needed. Then plant bushes or flowers alongside the stone paths to enhance your yard even more. Place a lovely stone path to your front porch or rear patio. Line your garden with stone paths to break it up in sections. This makes it easier to stroll through your yard after heavy rains, without getting your shoes wet.
Once you create a stone path, be sure to enhance your yard with other accessories such as garden fountains, statues, bird houses/baths, bird feeders, hammocks, etc. Your yard will never look the same, and you’ll feel a sense of achievement after creating your own charming paths with Massachusetts concrete stone molds.
