Why You Need to Hire the Best Mason for Your House

When you’re getting your house constructed or renovated, it is important that the results meet your expectations. In order to achieve that, you need to hire the best professionals—including the best mason. The masonry is one of the most important aspects of your house. If it isn’t correctly done, your house may not have a safe structure.

Here are the benefits of hiring the right mason:

  1. They Have the Right Skills and Expertise

During the construction project, you don’t want just anyone to do the masonry job for you. Masons are very skilled in their field, which involves a lot of concrete, bricks, and stones. These are the materials needed to build the foundation of your home. Even the smallest issue can result in bigger problems throughout the whole process, so you need a qualified mason to do the job.

  1. They Are Qualified to Build Your House

Masons and masonry contractors are very much qualified for the job. A mason can read the blueprints of your home, and also have strong mathematical skills needed for accurate and stable construction. They also have great stamina to do the job and the strength and equipment to handle these heavy materials.

  1. They Own the Right Tools

It is impossible to overstate that you’ll need someone who has the right equipment and tools. If you’re planning to do the masonry job by yourself, you might not own the right equipment. This might affect your home structure. Masons own all the proper equipment needed for masonry. They have brick splitters, trowels, line stretchers, and masonry jointers. Masons are experts in using these tools as well.

  1. They Have Insurance

Masons always do the right job during construction, but if something goes wrong, which is sometimes unavoidable, their company and contractor should have liability insurance. This will save you from any financial problems if there is any damage that needs to be fixed. Masons are really good at their job, so you won’t have to worry about damage and injuries most of the time.

How Much Are Masonry Services?

Masonry services depend on the mason and the masonry contractor. However, be skeptical if the fees are lower than the normal rate. Ask why their rates are low and about the benefits from their services. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” You don’t want to waste your money on bad service. So, ask a lot of questions of the contractor, and know if the price they’re asking is worth it.

The Bottom Line

Hiring a qualified and professional mason is worth it. They will ensure that your house is constructed very well. After all, you want your future home to be in the best condition. So, make sure to look for the right mason and masonry contractor.

If you’re in need of masonry services in Toronto, you can contact us, Red Robin Masonry! We make sure to give our clients the best masonry service their home needs. We are aware and we understand that your home is possibly your biggest investment in life, so we want to give justice to your construction project. Contact us for your masonry inquiries!

4 Reasons Why Masonry Is Integral for Your Home

If you’re planning to build your home from scratch instead of moving into a house, you have to go through a long process that involves picking out all the materials and hiring the right people. While it will take longer to do, it is often worth it because you know what you’re spending for, and you’re selecting everything according to your preferences.

Homeowners who wish to make their houses look luxurious and durable could choose a masonry material for best results. It can easily meet your needs because you can select from various colours, designs, and finishes. 

Masonry is an affordable solution that allows you to acquire a kind of construction material that can guarantee your home will last for a long time. Keep reading below to find out why calling for Toronto masonry services is necessary for completing the look of your property.  

 

It Is Hard-Wearing

 

When you hire a contractor to build your home using masonry, you can expect it to be durable and stand the test of time compared to other kinds of materials. After performing the installation correctly, stone and brick can stay in place for over a hundred years.

Besides, masonry is known to be the toughest material, so experiencing damage will be the least of your worries when it comes to your hard-wearing home. Because of its sturdiness, any major occurrence brought about by weather changes, such as extreme heat, rain, or snow, won’t be a problem for masonry. 

 

It Is Fire-Proof

Concrete masonry and brick consist of a mixture of clay, silica, and cement, which means you and your family’s safety is a top priority. Besides that, the heavy-duty materials offer insulation and are resistant to fire and water, safeguarding you from any potential accidents involving the elements. 

Due to masonry’s benefits, plenty of residential homes prefer it for their construction rather than settle for other alternatives. They serve as an ideal solution for building any kind of establishment that won’t burn or experience significant damage over time.  

 

It Is Eco-Friendly

Using brick or concrete masonry to build your home highlights energy efficiency, perfect if your electricity bills are often one of your primary concerns at home. The material prevents any establishment from overheating, especially during the summer season and the temperatures are high.

Having masonry in place keeps your house cool at all times, even without running electricity, to operate your cooling system indoors. It’s all thanks to the thermal mass of brick or concrete masonry. In fact, every time direct sunlight hits masonry, the material absorbs the heat to keep the temperature cool indoors and prevent your electricity from going up.

 

It Is Impressive

Depending on masonry services to construct your home or office building can guarantee that your place will last for an extended period, all while providing an aesthetically pleasing exterior. Since brick or concrete masonry does not corrode and form rust in the long run, unlike other building materials, it will remain clean and nice to look at.

When you maintain the upkeep of your home or office, and you plan to sell your establishment in the future, you preserve its value and convince interested buyers to view your property. Moreover, you don’t have to initiate any unnecessary repairs because your masonry will be sure to remain in good condition.

 

Conclusion

Choosing masonry as the main material for constructing your home is a fantastic investment. It’s hard-wearing, fire-proof, and eco-friendly and offers impressive results. Besides that, you can also depend on brick or concrete masonry to build your business establishment that’s sure to stay standing for the years to come.

Are you looking to hire a masonry company in Ontario for your home construction? Red Robin Masonry provides masonry solutions for homes and businesses in need. Get in touch with us today to request a quote!

Here’s What You Should Know About Chimney Rebuilding

If you have a chimney at home, it’s important you have it maintained properly. As part of the maintenance process, chimney rebuilding may be a term that you would often hear, and you might even reach a point when you need one. 

When it’s time to rebuild your chimney, you might feel a bit overwhelmed because it seems like a big and tedious project. However, it’s one of the non-negotiable things you can do for your property; otherwise, it could put you and your loved ones’ health and safety at risk. 

An effective way to feel at ease is to know everything there is to know about it. That way, you will feel more confident to tackle the project. 

 

Chimney Damage

Your chimney is exposed to harmful elements and unpredictable weather conditions all year round. For one, water damage is a huge concern for this; whether from rainwater or melting ice and snow, the liquid may seep through the bricks. In turn, this may cause spalling. 

Spalling damages the brick or stone surface that causes it to peel, flake, or pop. When unaddressed for a long time, it can cause the brick to fall apart, leading to water damage and leaks inside the home. Most of the time, damaged brickwork requires a complete rebuild. 

You may also notice some cracking due to damaged mortar joints. Once this happens, it can allow moisture into the chimney that can cause a lot of problems. 

 

The Importance of Regular Chimney Maintenance

Regular chimney maintenance is important and should occur once a year. It will help prevent fires, and it will also check for damage and signs of animal or pest infestation.

The maintenance includes a thorough inspection to check for cracks, water damage, creosote buildup, spalling issues, damaged crown, deteriorated flashing, unwanted pests in the chimney, and many more. 

Many homeowners think that just because they don’t use their fireplace, they don’t need maintenance anymore. That’s not the case, though. Whether or not you use your fireplace, chimney maintenance is important and shouldn’t be missed. 

 

Chimney Rebuilding

 

There are two types of chimney rebuilding. The first type is a partial rebuild that is often recommended for small chimneys where scaffolding isn’t required. This type of chimney rebuilding means only one part of the chimney will be replaced. It is used for chimneys that only have damage at the top. 

The second type is a total chimney rebuild that involves replacing the outside brick and the crown. It is recommended when there’s extensive damage.

 

The Advantages of Rebuilding Chimneys

There are many advantages when you have your chimney rebuilt. For one, it can help prevent leaks that can be costly. Another thing is that any structural issues may be addressed immediately before it becomes a huge problem. Also, chimney rebuilding can help reduce the risk of house fires. 

 

Conclusion

Chimney rebuilding may sound intimidating at first, but now that you know the basics about it, you will be more willing to do it for the sake of your property. 

Time for a chimney rebuild! Red Robin Masonry offers chimney repair services in Markham, Mississauga, Scarborough, Thornhill, and Toronto, ON. Our chimney repairs are done in compliance with current building and safety codes. Request a quote today!

3 Main Benefits of Getting Stone Retaining Walls for Houses

Having a poor use of outside space for housing is a popular issue due to the lack of careful thought given to the landscaping and masonry. Fortunately for your house, things can be different! By getting stone retaining walls, you have the perfect addition to gardens and other green spaces around the home. It can even boost the property’s overall value and curb appeal. If you want to have a deeper appreciation of what you are getting yourself into, consider the following benefits: 

  • Provides aesthetic value and functionality 

 

According to our Toronto masonry service professionals, stone retaining walls serve as a preventive solution for soil erosion, primarily big mounds of earth that can fall and destroy surrounding areas. They are placed in areas with a significant height difference, so the wall is meant to counteract the land’s gravitational pull, which can be a major issue during strong rains.

 

Another positive thing about stone retaining walls is they can enhance your exterior’s look and feel since they almost have this mountain-like, rustic vibe. Some can even look as organized as brick walls! Whatever style you opt for, it can serve as an aesthetically pleasing improvement to boost your house’s overall appeal, which is great for passersby, guests, and neighbours! 

  • Can last for a long time and doesn’t require too much maintenance

 

House masonry projects are a privilege to have, but you may be wary of getting them because of the upkeep costs and longevity. For instance, suppose you have a traditional brick chimney that pays homage to a more traditional way of living. While they can look impressive, they often require a lot of preventive maintenance. The good news is that is not the case for stone retaining walls, as they can even withstand the test of time. 

 

Stone is known as one of the most structurally sound products used for construction, and you can easily put this to work with something as solid as retaining walls. Some can even last up to 40 years, meaning it can even outlive some house structures, like roofing and flooring! You just have to pressure wash it when it has some visible contaminants and work with a trusted contractor to guide you. 

  • Comes in a wide variety of options for your own choosing 

 

What you may be concerned about when opting for stone retaining walls is the lack of options for building materials. It may be because you are not necessarily a fan of grey, black, and other earthy tones that correspond to stonework. 

 

Remember, this project may need a sizeable amount of money, time, and effort to pull off, so the results should be worthwhile. Luckily, there is a range of options to choose from!

For example, let’s say you want to go for a more environmentally friendly choice since some stone building practices may not be as favourable as you would like. In that case, you can request a gabion, a wired structure designed to function as a cage. It can hold the rocks and other retaining materials inside. Alternatively, you can request your chosen masonry company to present different possibilities and make an informed decision! 

 

Conclusion 

 

Opting for stone retaining walls for your house is a great way to improve your overall quality of life through landscaping and other outdoor improvements. It can even have lasting effects on reselling valuable properties, especially in the long run. So, remember all the benefits mentioned above and get professional tradespeople to do the job like us to maximize your assets. 

 

Red Robin Masonry is your reliable source for the best masonry services in Toronto, especially when it comes to your home and stoneworks. Our team of experienced contractors is dedicated to any project, and we see to it that you are fully satisfied with the finished product. Request your quote today through our website or contact us at 416-206-8859 if you have any questions!

Natural Stone and Veneer Stone: What Are the Differences?

Stonework in buildings is always nice to see because of how beautiful it can be. The sheer craftsmanship can be striking, but the material itself can bring life to the display created. When figuring out how to replicate the flawlessness of stoneworking in your home or office, the first hurdle will be choosing the kind of stone you want.

The two primary materials you’re likely to have seen are natural stone and veneer stone. It can be somewhat troubling to figure out which exactly you’d like and pinpoint what their differences are. Here’s a short guide to help you figure it out:

 

Identification

Natural stone is, as the name suggests, standard. No extra colour or textures are initially added to the stone. It is extracted straight from the earth and used as a manufacturer pleases, whether for walls or tiling. It’s considered very durable, but expert hands are required to shape and mould it.

Meanwhile, veneer stone is a manufactured material that looks like natural stone. Instead of being sourced from the earth, veneer stone is made from different components. Cement and iron oxide are used to recreate the appearance and texture. Because it’s easy to create, quality is almost consistent across the board.

The main difference between natural stone and veneer stone is the robustness. Veneer stone is considerably more fragile than natural stone, unable to withstand as much force as the other. However, it can be cut and shaped much more easily than natural stone. 

 

Measurements

When ordering natural stone, expect it to come in big blocks that are twice the weight of veneer stone. Veneer often comes in usable sizes already, but natural stone would have to be quarried before its actual use. 

Aside from the size and weight, the thickness is also a good indicator of the difference between natural stone and veneer stone. Veneer stone can come in varying widths depending on what was manufactured, while natural stone is featured in a standard one and three-quarter-inch thickness.

 

Aesthetics

Although natural stone isn’t created or initially mixed with colour, it can still be dyed in a certain way as it can retain its hue. It can hold shades well and, when taken care of and kept away from sunlight, can take more than a lifetime to fade away.

Veneer stone already holds colour upon manufacturing. It can have really beautiful colours that you can expect to happen consistently. The problem with veneer stone is it can fade somewhat faster compared to natural stone.

 

Time

If you’re hoping for a stonework project, you may have to consider the availability of the material. Natural stone is often in demand but can be harder to come by because of how it’s sourced. Alternatively, veneer stone is readily available.

When time isn’t an issue, and you’re looking at a specific way of stone installation, natural stone may be better in the long run. Discuss with a stonemason regarding your options and construction schedule. 

 

Conclusion

Both natural stone and veneer stone have their pros and cons. They are both able to fulfill your needs, but it can come down to whether you prioritize installation quickness over the lifespan and the other way around. After all, you are more familiar with your needs than anyone else. 

Are you looking for a masonry company in Toronto? Red Robin Masonry helps you invest in your home by offering our contraction services in Ontario and carrying out the jobs. Contact us today!