Masonry
in action is actually stonework Northern NJ with
masons working with real stones and real age-old standards and rules. The stone
materials are not really required to have a smoother finish but are classified
under their respective uses.
Roughly
grouped as rubble, ashlar and trimmings, these quarried materials taken from
natural sources are classified according to the uses that fit them. The texture
are more or less dictated by the stone’s place in an arch, a wall or and
intended project in a building.
Stereotomy
For
masons, the science of making patterns (templates) where a stone is assigned to
fill a certain place in an arch or some other piece of masonry is called
stereotomy. The engineer first makes a drawing of the intended piece of work in
stone. The engineer is expected to know the exact finishes which the stones are
going to be dressed (the finish).
The
drawing shall have the clear places where joints are to be made and located.
The cutter is informed of the details of the drawing so that he can detail each
block and cut them to fit exactly with the others.
Working with stones
This
type of work is actually an old engineering art with a sprinkling of science.
Natural stones are actually used to make stone blocks with which to make
stone-based structures for decorative and other purposes.
Nowadays,
it had developed into a lucrative industry which had produced its own artistic
and creative group of people who are all experts in their fields. Artistry
comes in when stone blocks are decided if they can be dressed or rough.
The
art of the stonework Northern NJ will then
emerge from the envisioned patchwork of stones, either cut roughly, finished
roughly or is smoothened and polished just so. The projects would run from
simple door and window jambs to corners, and other decorative items.
Dressed / rough stones
In
masonry, dressed stones are referred to as ashlar masonry, and those that were
hewn roughly and are uneven are sometimes referred to as rubble masonry. In
rubble masonry, uneven or irregularly-shaped stones are used, highlightingon
the beauty of its naturally irregular shape.
The
rubble and ashlar masonry are usually laid out in course row of even sizes or
height through the careful selection of cutting the stones. On the other hand,
most of stone masonry is un-coursed, and the free-for-all sometimes creates one
of a kind wonders.
Business
Most
of today’s masonry projects hinges on some kind of landscaping using stones and
cutting them to sizes and assembled and put in placed by mortars and cement.
These projects range from creating stone facades and entrances for house or
building owners, veneered and cultured stones structures, stone accent walls,
fireplaces, stone pillars, walkways, porches,
More
projects are being offered by companies who cashed to the undying demand of
clients watching gloriously-arranged stones in beautiful designs and cuts to
form as accent walls within residences, stone fireplaces, wine cellars, stone
walls and many more.
Stonework hasn’t
lost its appeal through the past hundreds of years, although new techniques are
discovered every now and then and helps make the ancient art into an industry.
