How Much Do You Know About Masonry?

Ice blocks are not commonly used in masonry. It may be a good thing that they aren't used. Who would want their building to melt?! It may be good for building an igloo, however!

Concrete Masonry Units is measured in concrete blocks. These units are considered the standard for building brick walls. They also make things more efficient.

With the use of strong foundations, masonry work can stay intact and strong for many years. If it was built on soft earth for example, it would be extremely detrimental for the whole building.

A person who works in masonry is typically called a mason. There are other names as well that are more literal, such as brick layer or even a kind of architect.

This is false. A template is typically used or help with building a wall or floor. It gives details on how high and wide a building must be.

Friction is another way that a brick wall can stay strong. The friction can be impacted by the placement of the blocks as well.

Rows of bricks are called courses by masons. However, they only take on this name if they are laid in place. How many courses would it take to complete your house if it was made of bricks?

The style of bricks will affect the final look of a wall. Generally, the style of brick would all depend on the preferences of the owner of the building and how they wanted it to look.

Glass blocks are used in this case. They not only have a very nice look to them, but you can often see through them as well.

This is false. A tread is actually the opposite, as it is located at the top of each step. It is the surface you step on when going up the stairs.

Ashlar masonry is most commonly rectangular. Did you know that this type of stone is among the finest of all type of stone used in masonry work?

The height of a stone is called the "rise." This is usually used in reference to one stone.What is the rise of your stone?

Blending refers to the look of the masonry. It is most noticeable through the pattern of the bricks used and how they look when placed together in the wall.

It is extremely important to keep the material that you're building with together in masonry. Mortar is often used in between the material for this exact purpose.

This is true. This is very important, as they all have their differences. These are materials that all masons will have to work with at one point in their careers!

The "face" of a stone is the part that you can see when looking at a wall. It makes sense to name it that, as the surface is in fact "facing" you!

Gabions are made of a mixture of steel and stone. These are an alternative type of material used for building as well.

Veneer masonry is a form of masonry that is used to achieve a certain look. In order to achieve it, it compromises the structure of the bricks as it matters a little less in these cases.

The purpose of an anchor is to provide security to the masonry work. Anchors come in a variety of different forms, such as wall ties.

This is true. Masonry is more than just building standing structures. It can include beautiful marble flooring or brick fireplaces as well!

This process is known as buttering. If you've ever seen it in action, you'll understand why! Mortar is applied with a trowel, which looks a lot like a knife when used.

Clean stone doesn't have dust in it, making it a great choice for masonry. It's made from crushed stone, enabling it to be used for a variety of different purposes such as things like concrete.

Bond stone is used as an anchor, although it does have other purposes as well. Another thing it is used for is in veneers for the material that is already laid down.

"Friction" is not a type of finish. The other types listed, are all different types that look different once applied. For example, a brushed finish will often show where the bristles of the brush were.

This is true. Caulking is important in keeping the brick work or stone work sealed. It can keep the water out of the cracks of the work.

Damp proofing is used to do just what it says – keep out the dampness and moisture from a building. It is also used in many other types of construction other than masonry for the same purpose.

This is called the "sill," which will typically run along the entire bottom part of the window. The top stone is known as a "lintel" which is essentially the same, but it runs along the top.

A "fissure" is a scratch on the surface of an object. It could be on the surface of a brick, but it will only affect the look of it as the scratch is small and shallow.

The keystone goes in the center of the arch, and it also is the last to be placed. It plays a huge role in the security and strength of the arch and wall itself.

This is true. Weather can have a large effect on masonry work. Weather can cause it to erode or become more dull.

Don't get it confused with drywall, another type of wall used in construction! Dry wall in masonry does not use mortar between the stones. Instead, the stones are stacked on top of one another in a strategic way.

Rubble is often used in the foundations of masonry. You might think of rubble after a building falls down, but this type actually helps it!

Silicone is used for this purpose. It keeps the water away from the materials which keeps it looking and functioning its best.

This is called a mosaic. These patterns come in all different ways, and are typically made up with an array of colored stones of different shapes and sizes that make the final product unique.

This is true. Masonry work won't burn like most other parts of a structure. This makes it great for building and preventing more damage from fire.