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John Douglas Masonry
5.0(
5
)
Brick or Stone - Tuck-pointingRetaining Wall - InstallBrick and Stone Flatwork - Repair+4 more

Serving Decatur, MS and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1993

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"John Douglas Masonry is excellence in masonry. He and his crew are respectful, professional, communicative, honest, and talented! My stone fireplace is a work of art, a masterpiece. My friends and family all enjoy the many hours we spend outside and this brings crafted natural beauty to my oasis! I highly recommend this company! Thank you John Douglas Msonry!"
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Masonry questions, answered by experts

Yes, an outdoor fireplace should use fire bricks. Fire bricks are specially designed to withstand high levels of heat and thus won’t crack as easily as regular bricks when exposed to the intense heat inside a fireplace.

Cobblestone is not a type of rock but a term for a mosaic or rock laid down as a surface. It used to be made from the closest available stone but now can be made from nearly any hard rock, as machining has made shaping the stone much easier and cheaper.

You can purchase from many brick manufacturers and distributors via their websites, where you can also get estimates based on the quantity you need. You’ll find bricks at your local home improvement stores as well, though they won’t have as much of a variety to choose from. As for antique bricks, secondary selling websites like eBay can be a great resource.

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.

You should generally drill into the mortar joints when installing shutters on brick. Mortar is softer, which makes drilling easier and puts less strain on your tools. It also lowers the risk of cracking a brick—something that’s a lot harder to fix. Mortar holds fasteners well enough for standard shutters, and if you ever need to patch the holes later, it’s a much simpler job than dealing with damaged brick. Just keep in mind that if your mortar joints are too thin or the hardware calls for brick anchoring, you'll need to check the manufacturer’s recommendations and adjust accordingly.

The Decatur, MS homeowners’ guide to masonry services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.