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Партнерский материал
Pro Spotlight: 3 Ways Masonry Can Make Sense for Your Home
A masonry professional explains how to use brick and stone to add beauty and classic style
Партнерский материал
Who: Luke Guinn of General Shale
Where: Johnson City, Tennessee
In his own words: “Brick and masonry products add an authentic look and increased value to your home.”
There are plenty of reasons why brick has long been one of the top choices in building materials. “First, it’s pretty,” says Luke Guinn of General Shale in Johnson City. He adds that brick and other masonry choices, like building stone or blocks, have the added advantage of versatility. “They can be used both inside and outdoors,” he says.
Where: Johnson City, Tennessee
In his own words: “Brick and masonry products add an authentic look and increased value to your home.”
There are plenty of reasons why brick has long been one of the top choices in building materials. “First, it’s pretty,” says Luke Guinn of General Shale in Johnson City. He adds that brick and other masonry choices, like building stone or blocks, have the added advantage of versatility. “They can be used both inside and outdoors,” he says.
Family history. General Shale was founded in 1928 and prides itself on its family feel and number of long-term employees. Guinn’s grandfather worked for the company for 27 years and his father worked there for 41. Guinn, who works as the marketing manager, joined the company in 2011, already knowing it would be a good fit. “It was never the plan to have a family legacy with the company, but now I appreciate it on a different level,” he says.
Built to last. Brick and building stone have the same long-lasting durability as the company itself. Masonry products also have some inherent benefits that, over time, help offset what many see as a higher initial cost. “There’s no maintenance, no pressure washing, no painting,” Guinn says. Bricks are also a sustainable material, he adds.
Looking for ways to incorporate masonry into your home? Guinn suggests three options below.
Looking for ways to incorporate masonry into your home? Guinn suggests three options below.
1. Go With a Classic Brick Facade
Opt for a brick exterior for a classic-yet-warm look. “It has curb appeal,” Guinn says. “People are drawn to it.” When building a new home in Knoxville, the owners knew they wanted a Tudor Revival-style, all-brick exterior. For the primary design, they chose a traditional Flemish bond pattern — where bricks laid lengthwise alternate with bricks laid endwise — that they’d admired on Knoxville’s historic Statesview home.
Then, they added contrasting details. The bricks have natural variations in color plus a handmade look that reflects the Arts and Crafts movement the homeowners love. The same brick was used for the low walls and the patio to provide a sense of continuity on the outside of the home.
See more of this project
Opt for a brick exterior for a classic-yet-warm look. “It has curb appeal,” Guinn says. “People are drawn to it.” When building a new home in Knoxville, the owners knew they wanted a Tudor Revival-style, all-brick exterior. For the primary design, they chose a traditional Flemish bond pattern — where bricks laid lengthwise alternate with bricks laid endwise — that they’d admired on Knoxville’s historic Statesview home.
Then, they added contrasting details. The bricks have natural variations in color plus a handmade look that reflects the Arts and Crafts movement the homeowners love. The same brick was used for the low walls and the patio to provide a sense of continuity on the outside of the home.
See more of this project
2. Add Charm With a Brick Interior
Install thin bricks — a type of brick veneer — to give an interior room a rustic appeal. “It adds charm and warmth,” Guinn says. Thin bricks were an obvious choice for this Kirkwood, Missouri, basement remodel designed by the homeowners. The couple, who have two children, wanted the space to look like an English pub. The thin brick mimics the look of traditional brick walls without the added weight. It also plays nicely off the wood paneling and the tin ceiling overhead.
See more of this project
Install thin bricks — a type of brick veneer — to give an interior room a rustic appeal. “It adds charm and warmth,” Guinn says. Thin bricks were an obvious choice for this Kirkwood, Missouri, basement remodel designed by the homeowners. The couple, who have two children, wanted the space to look like an English pub. The thin brick mimics the look of traditional brick walls without the added weight. It also plays nicely off the wood paneling and the tin ceiling overhead.
See more of this project
3. Enhance Your Patio With Stonework
Use masonry landscape stones to add outdoor structures such as fireplaces. A Johnsonville husband-and-wife team, who are avid DIYers, wanted to create a comfortable and inviting outdoor area with plenty of room for entertaining family and friends.
Using General Shale’s outdoor living kits, they built a freestanding fireplace as well as a matching bar to anchor the space, seen here. “They have two areas to entertain now,” Guinn says. “After guests have food and drinks, they can go over and sit by the fire. It gives you a more casual atmosphere.” In the future, they may use similar kits to add fire boxes on either side of the fireplace itself.
See more of this project
More: For more information on General Shale and examples of its work, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Use masonry landscape stones to add outdoor structures such as fireplaces. A Johnsonville husband-and-wife team, who are avid DIYers, wanted to create a comfortable and inviting outdoor area with plenty of room for entertaining family and friends.
Using General Shale’s outdoor living kits, they built a freestanding fireplace as well as a matching bar to anchor the space, seen here. “They have two areas to entertain now,” Guinn says. “After guests have food and drinks, they can go over and sit by the fire. It gives you a more casual atmosphere.” In the future, they may use similar kits to add fire boxes on either side of the fireplace itself.
See more of this project
More: For more information on General Shale and examples of its work, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
From a small local brick manufacturer in East Tennessee in 1928, to one of the industry leaders in North American... Читать далее
Отзыв от Shannon T:
Going through a horrible experience with General Shale. On my new construction build home which is 100% brick we have a custom piece which required some extra time. All was explained and up front we...Еще