While masonry and concrete are both used for building walls and other structures that make up buildings, the two are very different in terms of application and the method of preparation – here are some of the most important differences:

• Composition – while cement is created using cement, water and some sort of aggregate, such as stone or sand, masonry uses brick or stone components glued together with mortar, a combination cement, sand and water;
• Preparation – both concrete and the mortar used to make bricks stick together can be made in a mixer, but in most cases, concrete is manufactured in large quantities in a factory and it is transported to the building site ready for being used;
• Application – concrete is usually poured into molds to form posts, floors and walls, while masonry walls are built brick by brick, stone by stone, spreading a layer of mortar on the top of a layer of bricks, then laying bricks on the mortar and continuing the operation until the desired height is reached;
• Durability – both concrete and masonry walls are resistant and durable structures, the choice between the two being determined by the type of the building, budgeting considerations, architectural and terrain-related factors.  When looking for masonry experts, look to New England Masonry & Roofing of Connecticut for professional results.

Masonry is the process of building individual units from brick, mortar, stone and other types of building materials and joining the individual units to form structures, such as residential, commercial or industrial buildings. The two major types of masonry units are walls and ceilings – while the principle role of the ceiling is always to provide a link between walls, masonry walls can serve different purposes – here are some:

• Load bearing masonry walls – these walls can be exterior or interior walls and their task is to transfer the load of the roof to the foundation and at some point might require the expertise of a masonry restoration Connecticut consultant;
• Reinforced masonry walls – they can be load-bearing or non-load-bearing walls and they are used wherever the wall needs to be able to withstand lateral forces as well as vertical ones;
• Hollow masonry walls – these walls have cavities inside and they are installed between the interior and the exterior face of the wall to improve the thermal balance inside the building;
• Composite walls – these walls are used for conferring the building attractive appearance while also reducing building costs;
• Post-tensioned masonry walls – these walls use post-tension rods for reinforcement in the foundation and at ground level to make the wall more resistant to seismic movements.

Pressure washing is often underrated by most business owners. If you own a commercial building – even if it’s just a small area where you have your shop – properly washing the building’s exterior and premises can be a sign of dedication. It also provides you with many other benefits that you might not be aware of:

1. Pressure washing takes all the dirt and debris away more efficiently and quickly than any other form of exterior cleaning. Whether you want to save time or improve the curb appeal of your building, pressure washing can help a great deal.
2. By washing your building regularly, you can prevent mold and mildew from forming and improve your building’s appeal to keep customers coming in as often as possible.
3. It’s also worth mentioning that pressure washing can protect your health. It removes smaller particles of dust and dirt that wouldn’t normally go away, preventing you from breathing them in along with other common allergens.

Pressure washing is the best method you can consider for your commercial building. By using it, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble, and by calling in a team of expert cleaners with http://www.nemasonry.com to do it for you, it will also be easy to improve results, make your business look better and attract more customers without having to do any work yourself.

Are you wondering about what you can do to improve the appearance of your home? Do all the concrete elements look dated or damaged? If that’s the case, then it might me time to consider the services of a dependable concrete restoration company. Following are a few more signs that could indicate this to be the real issue:

• Concrete tends to crack under pressure, as a result of higher temperatures and because of wear and tear. Older concrete walkways and driveways will go through that, and there’s really not much you can do to stop the decay from becoming worse over time. When that happens, concrete restoration is your only option.
• Discoloration is also a sign that your concrete surfaces need a real makeover. If part of the area was burnt or affected by chemicals, then the coloring and patterns might have been irreversibly affected. Calling in a reliable contractor to assess the damage and provide a solution is your best choice at this point.
• Finally, the best sign that it’s time for a masonry restoration Connecticut home project is when you want to sell your home or property, and you’re looking to make a handsome profit. If that’s the case, an expensive looking concrete driveway or walkway can definitely raise the curb appeal and value of your property.