Natural Stone Masonry
In addition to brick masonry services, we also offer natural stone masonry. There are over one hundred varieties of natural stones used for building interior and exterior applications. Natural stone masonry has become extremely popular and requires much training. There are many types of stone masonry and multiple stone masonry techniques. One that has become especially popular with homeowners and architects is a natural thin veneer. It is a natural stone that is cut thinner than a full veneer stone. Because of its lightweight and its narrow width, it has some unique advantages, especially in the installation process. You can install a natural thin veneer on any structurally sound surface. No foundation is needed, making it ideal for fireplaces or exteriors of existing homes or commercial buildings. A natural thin veneer can also be blended with a full-width veneer which matches perfectly and provides a seamless appearance. Also, the lighter weight of the thin stone makes it more efficient to ship, easier to move around on a job site, and more accessible and quicker to install than a full-width veneer. In addition, the thinner profile of the stone makes it a great alternative for concrete and projects with limited space or other special considerations.
Stonemasonry can also be classified as either rubble masonry or ashlar masonry. Under the rubble, you have random, square, polygonal, flint, and dry rubble. Random rubble is the roughest and cheapest form of stone masonry. The stones are of many different sizes and are carried out through un-coursed or coursed means. For square rubble, the stones having a straight bed and sides are used. These stones are typically squared and brought to hammer dressed or straight cut finish.
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Polygonal rubble uses stones that are hammer dressed. The stones that are used in facework are wrapped in an irregular polygonal shape. Therefore, the facet joints are seen running in a distinctive fashion in all directions. Flint rubble uses stones that are flints or cobble. These are irregularly shaped silica. The stones are rugged, but they are brittle and therefore break easily. In dry rubble, mortar is not used in the joints. This masonry type is the cheapest and requires more skill in construction. It can be used for non-load-bearing walls. Under ashlar, you have ashlar fine where each stone is cut to a uniform size and shape with all sides rectangular so that the stone gives perfectly horizontal and vertical joints, ashlar rough where the beds and sides are finely chisel-dressed. Still, the face is made rugged by tools, rock, or quarry faced where a strip about 25mm wide and made by a chisel is provided around the perimeter of every stone as in case of rough-tooled ashlar. Ashlar chamfered where the strip is provided below, but it is chamfered or beveled at a 45-degree angle and ashlar block in a course that is a combination of masonry and ashlar masonry. Davis Masonry is equipped with basic and advanced installation principles. We make sure that our professionals follow the installation techniques, wear proper safety equipment and check in with and adhere to building safety codes.
