Masonry has always been the most popular construction method, and stone and brick are the most common materials used in masonry construction. In this article, we would like to tell you about the differences between brickwork and stonework and highlight the pros and cons of both technologies. But first, let us briefly explain what we understand by both terms in the construction industry.

Brick Masonry

This type of masonry involves laying bricks together and binding them with mortar. The latter refers to a mixture of cement, water, and sand, but it can sometimes include lime. In most cases, bricks are blocks made of dried clay, although construction workers also use bricks made of coal derivatives and even concrete for some purposes.

Stonemasonry

Unlike bricks, the stone is a natural material, and even though it could be cheaper for that reason, it requires a lot of costly preparation work, such as cutting and dressing, to give it the desired shape. Stonemasons can use it as an actual building material or for stone cladding only, which refers to applying a thin layer of stone to decorate a building made of some other material, usually concrete.

Advantages of Brick Masonry

Brick construction is considerably cheaper than its counterpart.
Bricks are easier to transport and work with since they weigh much less than stones.
Due to the standardized shapes and sizes of the blocks, a brick construction project does not require a highly specialized workforce.
The walls made of bricks are a lot thinner as well. As a result, the construction workers can apply different kinds of mortar to suit the unique architectural requirements of a particular project.

Disadvantages of Brick Masonry

Bricks are a lot less sturdy and durable than stones.
They are much less resilient to tension as well. For this reason, brick walls are considerably more vulnerable in the case of possible unsettling of the structure.
A brick masonry building requires some finishing plasterwork, which adds to the total costs of the construction project.

Advantages of Stonemasonry

The stone is exceptionally sturdy and can have a very long life compared with brick or wood.
It is also highly resistant to temperature and moisture and can, for this reason, serve its purpose equally well in any climate.
Since no finishing plasterwork is necessary in the case of stone construction, the final product will require a lot less maintenance in the future, reducing the costs of insurance, repairs, and utility bills to the absolute minimum.
The elegant and stylish look of the final product is, arguably, the most significant advantage of the stone construction over all other methods.

Disadvantages of Stonemasonry

It requires supplementary materials to compensate for its low tensile strength and poor lateral deflection.
The construction project is a comparatively lengthy process, and it requires more professional planning and a highly specialized workforce.
Stone walls are not as thin as the brick ones, which considerably reduces the total utilizable space in the building.

Final Word

Feel free to browse the articles on our official website to learn more about brick and stone construction technologies. Otherwise, call us on 847 922 33 79 if you have any specific questions concerning the differences between the two or if you would like to apply for our professional masonry services. We are available every day, except for Sundays and public holidays.

Prev Next