If you're thinking about building a new home, you might be curious if the cost of masonry is worth it. We're here to tell you that masonry is a no-brainer if you have the right budget. This organic material has been used for centuries to construct long-lasting homes that can withstand the elements. Even better, you can customise your look by selecting from a variety of colours, styles, and textures.
Benefits of Masonry
Here are some of the huge benefits of finding or building a masonry house. You'll be able to relish both the aesthetic and the durability of brick.
Flexibility
One of the best parts about masonry construction is that you'll still have a lot of options for your home's external aesthetics. From traditional brick to rough stone, many possibilities will keep your home architecturally sound. You will be able to select a material based on its colour, finish, texture, and style.
Cost-Effective
Although the capital cost will be high, you will benefit from the long-term cost-effectiveness of masonry. This is because brick and stone do not fade over time and require less maintenance than drywall. You'll also save money on fire insurance over time.
Energy-Efficient
Investing in masonry homes will provide you with significant energy savings. This is because their massive mass reduces heat transfer. If it's hot and sunny outside, it will take more time for the stone to absorb the heat and several hours before the heat begins to transfer to the inside.
Noise Reduction
Because of the mass of the masonry, you will also experience less noise from the outside world. When compared to less dense walls such as drywall, sound transmission is greatly reduced. Special masonry units designed to handle sound can also be used to build walls.
Protection Against Fire
One of the most important advantages of masonry is that it acts as a natural fire barrier, which is especially important if you live in a heavily forested, dry area. Masonry is non-combustible, which means it will not start fires or emit toxic gases if burned. That is why a large proportion of firehouses are constructed of masonry.
Masonry Preservation
Although masonry requires little maintenance, if you've recently purchased an older home or want to keep your masonry in good condition for as long as possible, here are some preservation tips. You'll notice that these tips emphasise doing as little as possible to harm or disrupt the material's natural ability to protect your home from water content.
Avoid Painting and Sealing
You may be enticed to paint or seal your brick to improve its appearance over time, but this will only cause more problems. When you paint your brick, you will need to do more repair work to keep it looking good. Worse, painting and sealing can cause humidity issues that can lead to mould over time. This is because painting and sealing prevent brick and stone from properly "breathing" and wicking away moisture.
Make Use of Hand Tools
When performing masonry maintenance, it is critical to use hand tools rather than power tools. This is because tools are better for detailed work and cause less damage to the material.
Cleaning with Care
It is critical that you have your masonry cleaned only when strictly necessary. To avoid causing long-term damage, use water, a mild detergent, and low-pressure washing of 1,000 psi or lower. This is due to the fact that abrasive cleaning methods can erode the tough outer crust of the brick or stone, exposing the materials to water damage.
Beautiful Masonry Residences
Masonry homes are an excellent choice if you want a long-lasting, fire-resistant, and energy-efficient home with a classic, natural appearance. The best part about these houses is that they require little to no upkeep. You can also pick from a wide range of natural materials to design your home's exterior's colour, texture, style, and other aspects.