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Getting Schooled on Masonry: Common Home Exterior Projects

Aug 7, 2020 3:53:22 PM

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One of the oldest forms of construction, masonry is the art of crafting buildings and other structures from stone, brick, concrete, and mortar. From ancient walls to entire castles, masonry involves building things that will endure. Masons are artisans with years of experience, who begin their training through apprenticeships and eventually become masters. From retouching original masonry to adding valuable home upgrades, masonry projects are an excellent way to improve the value and usefulness of your home.

Here are some of the most common masonry work projects for your home.

Building a Patio

A patio is one of the most common masonry projects. Patios extend your livable space into the outdoors and are ideal for those who have children and pets. Once you have a patio, you can enclose it or place an awning over it. There are many types of patio builds, ranging from your standard brick patio to complex and intricate natural stone designs.

When properly installed, a patio will last decades and improve the value of your home. The benefits of proper installation include avoiding shifting, which can happen with improperly installed patios, as well as the proper mortar that will resist the growth of grass and weeds.

Upgrading Your Mailbox

Your mailbox is one of the first things people see when they look at your home. If you have a regular mailbox, the time to upgrade it is now! A mailbox upgrade is an affordable way to give your property a facelift.

There are an incredible number of masonry work designs you can choose from, ranging from quaint country designs to slick modern ones. Masonry means that you can get a mailbox that's going to last, even if you experience severe weather. You can even install a larger mailbox that can accept packages and keep them safe.

Making an Outdoor Fireplace, Oven, or Kitchen

Masonry work is particularly useful when you're dealing with heat. There's a reason why brick-fired ovens are popular for pizzas. You can even create your grills from masonry or create an entire outdoor kitchen and bar. Want to keep it simple? Go for an outdoor fire pit.

Building out an entertainment space means that your outside living space will add to your interior. It's a great way to upgrade the utility of your property as well as your property value because your outdoor space now counts as additional square footage.

Erecting a Fence

One of the first uses for masonry was to build long-lasting fences. There's a reason why walls are one of the first remnants found in ancient cities. Masonry walls can last hundreds of years if properly erected. They are nearly as strong as solid pieces of stone. 

Of course, masonry walls are a little less affordable than traditional metal or wood fences. But they can also be an excellent decorative upgrade to the front facade of a home. They provide privacy, decor, and safety — and they withstand the test of time. 

Upgrading Your Front Walkway

Your front walkway, like your mailbox, is one of the first things that people see when they see your home. If you want people to have a positive impression from the moment they arrive at your house, upgrading your front walkway is a great choice.

Whether you want a long meandering walkway through your front garden, or a straightforward walkway directly to your entrance, a walkway improves the appearance of your yard as well as adding to its safety. You can customize your walkway based on the types of stone you want, whether you want the stones and tiles to be organic or straight, how wide you want them, and where you want the path to go.

In short, many masonry projects can be used to improve your exterior. Masonry projects are long-lasting, and they're the perfect way to improve the long-term value of your home. For more information about the best home exterior projects, and masonry work for your home, contact the experts at Exterior Medics.