Q: How do we decide between brick and stone for our wall (such as retaining wall), walkway, structure?
A: Each material has its own unique features that can be viewed by some as a pro or con. Brick is less costly than stone, is a great insulator and quite durable. Some issues may arise with the bonding mortar as it is susceptible to cracks from pressure; however, it’s not as costly to fix mortar. What about stone? Stone is just plain gorgeous. Great in the summer and hot weather, but not a great insulator so it can get cold inside a stone building, which would be the case in Canadian weather. If using stone as an accent or walkways, that con can be disregarded. Stone is more costly (both material and labour). As with brick, the actual stone itself is a very durable material, lasting decades - it’s very likely the mortar joints will require repair first.
Q: Will you match my mortar or brick colour?
A: In terms of the mortar, this can be a challenge if a different mason was used prior to the current service job. Having said that, we will do our best to match as closely as possible. In terms of the brick colour, the particular brick style and colour may be discontinued. We will search for the closest match among the available supply, and in more extreme cases, staining the bricks may be an option.
Q: Will you clean up after the job is completed?
A: Yes, cleaning up after ourselves is part of our job. We learned to clean up our toys after playing in kindergarten, so it’s no different here. We don’t expect anyone but ourselves to take care of the clean up.
Our services include:
Chimneys: chimney repairs may be needed if there are chips, cracks or spalling (falling bricks) - chimney restorations can prevent potential injury to those walking by.
Fireplaces: fireplace repairs may also experience cracks or look worn out; our fireplace restorations will make it look brand new.
Brick and stone work: we are expert bricklayers and stone installers, whether it’s for a home addition, wall, porch, patio, steps or walkway. We also do brick and stone repairs and restoration.
Parging: we add a thin mortar mixture to apply onto existing brick or concrete to provide a more cohesive and attractive look, while giving additional weather and water resistance.
Waterproofing: with special techniques, we apply a waterproof treatment to protect against damaging water seepage, therefore protecting the basement and foundation.
Tuckpointing: this is a process whereby we repair and strengthen eroding mortar joints. Mortar joints that are cracked or worn out will compromise the entire structural integrity.
We’re pleased to be serving the city of Cambridge, with a population of approximately 140K residents. Rich in history, culture and diversity, Cambridge is the ideal town to live and do business. Situated close to many other cities, there is easy access between Cambridge and surrounding areas. Since we have such friendly neighbours including Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Brantford, Hamilton, Milton, Burlington, Caledonia, Woodstock, Tavistock, Fergus, Acton, Elmira, Paris and Ayr, if you happen to live in one of these towns, contact us with your service request and location, and we might be able to help you out.
When you contact Cambridge Masonry, we’ll ask you a few questions to learn more about your brick, concrete or stone work needs, your location, timeline and expectations. If you’re local, we’ll make an arrangement to visit your property to assess and measure. Then, we should have enough information to make a quote based on your chosen product and finish. After that, we’ll arrange another meeting to start the job. We will communicate with you throughout the project to give you status updates and chat about the progress. When the job is complete, we are on standby for any further questions. And that’s it! Pretty simple.
So if you’re in need of any masonry services, are looking for "masonry near me" and live in or around Cambridge, give Cambridge Masonry a call for a free, no-obligation estimate. We’re among the top masonry contractors in Cambridge, ON and are excited about the opportunity to work with you, and if you’re thrilled about our work, please share with your friends and family, as local businesses are the backbone of the Cambridge economy. Value, quality and integrity are what we stand for, and we can’t wait to share that with you.
A: Each material has its own unique features that can be viewed by some as a pro or con. Brick is less costly than stone, is a great insulator and quite durable. Some issues may arise with the bonding mortar as it is susceptible to cracks from pressure; however, it’s not as costly to fix mortar. What about stone? Stone is just plain gorgeous. Great in the summer and hot weather, but not a great insulator so it can get cold inside a stone building, which would be the case in Canadian weather. If using stone as an accent or walkways, that con can be disregarded. Stone is more costly (both material and labour). As with brick, the actual stone itself is a very durable material, lasting decades - it’s very likely the mortar joints will require repair first.
Q: Will you match my mortar or brick colour?
A: In terms of the mortar, this can be a challenge if a different mason was used prior to the current service job. Having said that, we will do our best to match as closely as possible. In terms of the brick colour, the particular brick style and colour may be discontinued. We will search for the closest match among the available supply, and in more extreme cases, staining the bricks may be an option.
Q: Will you clean up after the job is completed?
A: Yes, cleaning up after ourselves is part of our job. We learned to clean up our toys after playing in kindergarten, so it’s no different here. We don’t expect anyone but ourselves to take care of the clean up.
Our services include:
Chimneys: chimney repairs may be needed if there are chips, cracks or spalling (falling bricks) - chimney restorations can prevent potential injury to those walking by.
Fireplaces: fireplace repairs may also experience cracks or look worn out; our fireplace restorations will make it look brand new.
Brick and stone work: we are expert bricklayers and stone installers, whether it’s for a home addition, wall, porch, patio, steps or walkway. We also do brick and stone repairs and restoration.
Parging: we add a thin mortar mixture to apply onto existing brick or concrete to provide a more cohesive and attractive look, while giving additional weather and water resistance.
Waterproofing: with special techniques, we apply a waterproof treatment to protect against damaging water seepage, therefore protecting the basement and foundation.
Tuckpointing: this is a process whereby we repair and strengthen eroding mortar joints. Mortar joints that are cracked or worn out will compromise the entire structural integrity.
We’re pleased to be serving the city of Cambridge, with a population of approximately 140K residents. Rich in history, culture and diversity, Cambridge is the ideal town to live and do business. Situated close to many other cities, there is easy access between Cambridge and surrounding areas. Since we have such friendly neighbours including Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Brantford, Hamilton, Milton, Burlington, Caledonia, Woodstock, Tavistock, Fergus, Acton, Elmira, Paris and Ayr, if you happen to live in one of these towns, contact us with your service request and location, and we might be able to help you out.
When you contact Cambridge Masonry, we’ll ask you a few questions to learn more about your brick, concrete or stone work needs, your location, timeline and expectations. If you’re local, we’ll make an arrangement to visit your property to assess and measure. Then, we should have enough information to make a quote based on your chosen product and finish. After that, we’ll arrange another meeting to start the job. We will communicate with you throughout the project to give you status updates and chat about the progress. When the job is complete, we are on standby for any further questions. And that’s it! Pretty simple.
So if you’re in need of any masonry services, are looking for "masonry near me" and live in or around Cambridge, give Cambridge Masonry a call for a free, no-obligation estimate. We’re among the top masonry contractors in Cambridge, ON and are excited about the opportunity to work with you, and if you’re thrilled about our work, please share with your friends and family, as local businesses are the backbone of the Cambridge economy. Value, quality and integrity are what we stand for, and we can’t wait to share that with you.
Here's what our past clients have said about our work:
Such a beautiful stone fireplace we had installed. It really elevates the look of our living room, and we appreciate the reasonable price and quality job.
- Val J.
Our stone walkway and steps were applied very evenly and carefully. I'm a perfectionist so I notice sloppy jobs, but this one was done very well, so kudos to these guys. I would go with Masonry Cambridge again when I need more masonry work done.
- Fern W.
We needed the sides of our house refaced as the brick was crumbling and falling apart. We're very pleased with Masonry Cambridge's brick restoration services.
- Constance V.
Here are some frequently asked questions:
What's the difference between common brick and engineering brick?
The common brick is the brick made from clay we see adorning many of our homes and buildings. It provides strong structural integrity, fire resistance, great insulation, termite proofing and great value in the long term. Engineering brick has all of the above but with added compressibility and lower porosity, which means that it's ideal in buildings that require extra load bearing capabilities. Feel free to contact us to see which options are suitable for your building.
Does a retaining wall add value?
Adding a retaining wall to your property does add value, resale and otherwise. They are functional, are typically made from durable masonry units such as stone, concrete and sometimes brick, and they add an aesthetic appeal that can increase the resale price of your property.
Tell us about brick construction vs. wood.
While wood is a lovely eco-friendly material that is widely used in accessory structures like fencing, gates and decks, brick is a much better option for a construction that requires extra weight bearing capabilities, resistance to harsh weather, insulation, fireproofing and structural integrity.
do i need a building permit?
The City of Cambridge specifies which types of constructions require a building permit. In regards to masonry work, things like additions, alterations and renovations to buildings, retaining walls greater than 1 meter and fireplaces are examples of constructions that require a permit before work can proceed.
how do i maintain my retaining wall?
To maintain your retaining wall, it's important to inspect it regularly for signs of damage, such as cracks or bulges. You should also make sure that the drainage system is working properly to prevent water from building up behind the wall. If you notice any issues, it's important to address them promptly to prevent further damage to the wall or surrounding structures.
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