Masonry can greatly improve you home exterior by adding a rugged but beautiful look to your home. Masonry however requires professional installation as well as a lot of planning to get the look that you desire. To style your home’s exterior using masonry, read on about the things that you need to keep an eye on as you go about this.

Choose Between Natural And Artificial Stone

For your masonry work, you can opt to either go with natural or artificial stone. Both work in exactly the same way and it is not often easy to tell the difference. Artificial stone is created by mixing cement with aggregate and pigment. Natural stone is quarried, shaped and transported to your home for installation either way, the choice of the two boils down to preference, availability and cost.

Think Through The Paint Job

Paint jobs on masonry require some extra thought because not doing them properly could lead to unforeseen costs down the road. For example, improper paintwork on brick and stonework could trap moisture and cause the surface of the masonry to degrade. Always ensure that you get a NY contractor who has experience working with masonry and who understands how to apply paint to masonry.

Veneers Are A Viable Option

One way to get around the cost of masonry work on your home’s exterior is to apply a veneer of brick or stone on a surface made up of another material to give the look of a masonry finish. A veneer is a thin layer of material that is typically overlaid on another material. In this case, the surface underneath the veneer can be poured concrete,  wood , rigid foam or concrete blocks. Either way, you achieve the effect of a masonry finish without the actual masonry work involved in the process. This is an option for people looking to achieve a masonry finish without the budget to go the whole way.

Style Your Home’s Exterior

If you opt to use masonry to style your home’s exterior, you can consider using different patterns on your masonry to make it more beautiful. These patterns can be achieved by interweaving the bricks or stone as they are being laid to achieve the pattern you desire. There are various patterns such as the Herringbone pattern, which creates an elegant look on your home’s exterior. Your contractor would be in a position to advice further on what is suitable for your home and the materials that you are using to do the masonry work.

You Can Add A Touch Of History To Your Home

By talking to various brickyards and architectural salvage businesses, you can add a touch of history to your home exterior by using brick pavers reclaimed from old streets. This gives your home a link to a heritage that makes for a fascinating story.

Using masonry to style your home’s exterior is a great way to add elegance and style to your home. Working with a professional contractor to do your masonry work will eliminate most of the problems associated with masonry work. We hope that this article has added to your knowledge of using masonry to style your home’s exterior!