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Repointing brick is recommended every 25 to 30 years. Professional repointing can easily last this long if you're following all basic brick and stone maintenance tips. However, you may find that you need repointing more often if you live in an area that sees harsh weather or if the construction of your home was rushed. Additionally, if you DIY your brick repointing, you’re more likely to find that you need additional repointing more often, so every 10 to 15 years might be more appropriate.

Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to stone houses. They are slow to build and the materials are pricey, both of which balloon the total cost. Stone walls require a more robust foundation, which costs more to install. Running plumbing, electrical, and HVAC through a stone house is much more difficult too, so homeowners need to seriously consider if the aesthetic benefit is worth the cost of building with stone. One of the questions to ask a masonry contractor is if a similar aesthetic can be achieved with another material.

Yes, staining your home’s brick is a great idea if you’re looking to freshen up its appearance. It’s also helpful for preserving your bricks so they don’t crack or chip over time. Finally, staining your bricks is a perfect DIY project, as most handy homeowners can do the project in a few days.

A fireplace is, by definition, an enclosed space where you burn wood or other fuel for the purpose of generating light and heat. A firepit burns wood and is much less expensive to build, but they aren’t technically a fireplace as it isn’t enclosed. An outdoor oven—commonly outdoor brick pizza ovens—often uses wood as fuel, but its primary purpose is to cook food, and you’d rarely just burn wood inside them for warmth or aesthetic reasons.