Our Approach
Masonry: Traditional vs. Modern
It is important to know that the masonry of today differs from that of a hundred years ago. In very general terms, traditional masonry – i.e. masonry built pre-20th century – is solid, interconnecting, load-bearing masonry using brick or stone.
The most ancient of this type of masonry is dry stone masonry, so-called because it is stone laid without mortar. Traditional mortared masonry, both stone and brick, primarily used mortars called lime mortars. Construction of this type has a lineage going back several millenia and extending worldwide, including the United States, up to the latter decades of the 1800s.
The Industrial Revolution during this time period ushered in significant changes in building systems. New ways of building replaced those long used traditionally. The development of steel, concrete and dimensional lumber for structural purposes in this time, and continuing to today, has all but replaced traditonal masonry construction. Masonry now serves mainly as a protective skin, whereas steel, concrete, and lumber form the skeleton of most structures utilizing masonry.
As a result of this transformation, methods and materials that were used almost continuously for several millennia disappeared along with many of their practitioners in what was nearly a wholesale change in construction.
Why revive an old craft?
The switch from load-bearing masonry to veneer masonry introduced new materials and methods to the craft. Some of the masonry materials developed for the new era were untested by time and simply used by masons with the assumption that they were compatible with traditional masonry maintenance. It has been discovered in recent decades, however, that this is not the case. In some instances, what is intended as repair has resulted in accelerated deterioration of masonry, and even structural failure.
Because the changes in construction and the trade during the last century were so comprehensive, much of this type of building stock has endured either improper maintenance, or lack of maintenance, for many decades. Subsequently, we are often called to look at masonry that has not been well maintained over the years.
A Return to Proper Maintenance
With our business, we are endeavoring to return the structures that we work on back to their proper cycle of maintenance. We often use methods and materials that were used in the original construction not for the sake of novelty, but because that’s what these structures depend upon to stay intact. In simple terms, we see ourselves as craftsmen who perform maintenance on traditional masonry structures.
We feel that working in a caring and informed manner is why there are centuries-old structures still in use in many parts of the world and that by doing so, we can help to provide long-term value for property owners and give future generations of North Americans a legacy to enjoy.
Mason's Mark LLC P.O. Box 193 Kent, OH 44240 Phone (330) 671-6585 Fax (330) 678-6965