Masonry and brickwork can lend any structure a certain air of permanence which is certainly what any builder intends to accomplish. The huge variety of looks that can be achieved with different styles of stonework will make any would-be architect have daydreams of castle entrance ways and elaborate intricate facades. However, before planning out a renovation, remodel or new construction plan with a stone and mortar component, consider the advantages and disadvantages of masonry as a construction technique.
The first advantage is the added thermal insulation provided by solid brickwork. Not only does a brick house retain heat more in the cold of winter, it also acts like a cave, as a shelter from the scorching sun and to keep the sticky hotness of summer out in the warmer months. Moreover, stone walls are perfect for solar power accumulator panels.
As far as wall material is concerned, brick and mortar is relatively low maintenance. Generally, brick structures are not painted, so season to season maintenance is overall less expensive than other materials such as wood. All that is required is a coat of sealant so as to prevent spalling and other forms of water damage. This process of sealing the masonry is cheaper and longer lasting than any paint on wood surface could ever be.
On the other hand, while brick is perceived as sturdy, when there are problems, they are serious ones. A crack that follows the brick work is a sure sign of structural or foundation construction defects. This is most often a result of water intrusion from improper sealing or frost damage from seasonal freezing and thawing.
In addition, solid masonry is entirely dependent on the foundation. The foundation on which brickwork is built must be firm and well settled. Any shifting or settling of the foundation will undoubtedly result in serious cracking of any brickwork resting on top. This is of particular concern in areas with expansive or extremely unstable soils. Consequently, most beach homes are built of wood rather than bricks. Also, regions with a high degree of earthquake activity are dangerous for brick homes which are sensitive to shifts in the base and prone to collapse if the foundation is disturbed.
On the whole, brick structures are sturdy and well protected from the elements if they are constructed properly and with adequate foresight. Brick provides good insulation, is a low maintenance exterior and is the most likely to survive fire damage. Also, as many brick home owners will point out, it is the material which withstood the big, bad wolf of Little Red Riding Hood.
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