"Great! Very efficient. Cleaned up so well it was hard to tell they had been here. Installed a white board paneling on my very old walls. So happy with results. Matt & his crew exceeded our expectations."
"Jason Shelton did a fantastic job for us today. He was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. He explained everything to us regarding our basement floor crack. It was great to have an expert give us the information we needed. Now we have an expert to help us with any foundation issues. I give Jason and A+."
"Workers showed up on time. Big job installing tiles to waterproof our 110 year old house. We are very happy with the results. It was an expensive project but well worth the money"
"The representative was honest with respect to their ability to satisfy my needs. The project was not in their "wheelhouse" and they were open about what they could and could not do."
"I was impressed with Chuck from Shamrock Chimney. He was realistic in his discussion and went thru various options from converting to a gas fireplace to wood inserts. He discussed the issues with the existing field stone face and converting to a two way fireplace. He certainly made me comfortable to consider Shamrock should the project move forward."
Universal Windows Direct was founded in April of 2002 by William Barr and Michael Strmac. It was their mission to create a home improvement company that offers high quality home improvement goods at the best possible value. What began as two guys in a 350 square foot office quickly grew to become one of the nation's leading remodeling companies. Today, Universal Windows Direct represents thousands of customers and has a rapidly growing network of locations nationwide, all of which are actively involved in the communities they serve.
"Excellent workmanship, price and cleanup. I got all plus more that I was bargaining for when they were hired. The system works as promised in Bills initial visit and I could not be happier with the project . Thank you"
"I had a driveway replaced. When they removed the original it was a mess. Some places had air pockets 6" to 8". They excavated it all out put 6" of stone and 4" of concrete with rebar in it. They did a Great job, the driveway looks great and will last a very long time. I am very please with the job they did, and would not have a problem Recommending Them or hiring them again for other projects."
Mortar, or masonry mortar, is mainly used in joints and as parging for stone, brick, or cement construction. Stucco is primarily a surface material used as wall coverings. For maintenance, masonry will need repointing or replacing as damage or land shifting occurs, whereas stucco will need patching or refinishing as it tends to crack over time along with other types of wear-and-tear.
Brick spalling—which refers to the crumbly, flaky, or pitted appearance that can develop over time—is caused by a few different conditions. These include:
Climates with constant freeze-thaw cycles
Use of non-breathable sealants
High-pressure water cleaning
Improper installation
While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can preserve your bricks by cleaning them with soapy water and a good old-fashioned scrubbing. Pressure washers may be satisfying to use, but they can eventually wear away the surface of your bricks. If you don’t have advanced-level DIY skills in masonry, you can hire a reputable masonry contractor in your area for your project.
Yes, brick can breathe through limewash. Limewash is a breathable coating made from natural lime and water, allowing moisture to pass through while providing a protective layer. Unlike synthetic paints or sealants, which can trap moisture within the brick and lead to issues like mold, limewash allows the brick to maintain its natural breathability. This characteristic makes limewash an ideal choice for historic structures where preserving the integrity of the brick is essential.
Choose from an abundance of natural and synthetic options when perfecting your hardscape design. Stone veneer costs a bit less, holds up against the tests of time and weather, and also works best in curves and complex walls.
Natural stone, however, provides an organic look to a lawn while providing just as much strength as veneer. Don't forget you can chat with your mason about other common wall materials like brick, cinderblock, and concrete.
Solid brick structures can last a century or more, potentially 100 to 150 years with proper maintenance like tuckpointing. Without major repairs, classic red bricks may last 20 to 40 years. Brick veneer siding is also a long-lasting material, with a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 years, provided it is properly installed and maintained. To maintain brick veneer, you should scrub it annually with a special detergent and a soft-bristled broom. It's also important to inspect the bricks and mortar regularly and hire a masonry contractor for any necessary repairs, such as fixing worn mortar or bowing bricks.
The Manitou Beach, MI homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Door or window lintel replacement costs $400 on average, but there are ways you can save. On the other hand, complicated work will increase costs considerably.
Need to repoint brick in your home to make your home look fresh and new? Use this guide to repointing brick cost to price out your project before starting.
This guide features information on the costs to repair a brick wall, whether or not you need a brick mason to complete spalling, tuckpointing, or a full restoration.
Discover the wide variety of masonry materials for your next home upgrade project. Our guide covers the different types of materials to choose from and more.
When it comes to masonry versus concrete, it can be easy to confuse the two. Use this guide to learn about the differences in appearance, strength, and more.
