Masonry supplies such as stone and concrete have been used to build foundations, walls, stoves, fireplaces, and more for centuries.
While these materials, along with brick and cinder blocks, are some of the more common ones, there are several others used on a regular basis.
Here is some information on the most popular options.
Brick Bricks come in hundreds of designs and shades, so you have a variety of options when choosing the type that will look the best for your home.
They come in both smooth and rough varieties, and they can be designed to appear like more expensive masonry supplies such as granite and stone.
Bricks are laid on top of each other, of course, but their formations depend upon the style desired and the type of structure being built.
The result will be a durable structure that will be much more fire- and weather-resistant than other materials.
Stone Stone comes in both natural and artificial varieties, with natural stone being more expensive.
While artificial stones may not have the same type of rustic appeal as natural ones, they can come very close as long as they are of high quality.
Stones can be used both inside a home and outside for items such as fireplaces, accent walls, walkways, and patios.
Slate Slate is generally one of the most expensive materials, but it can be used in a wide variety of applications, including flooring, wall decor, countertops, and even furniture.
It is made of fine grain and comes from the same family of rocks such as calcite, mica, quartz, and chlorite.
One of its advantages is that it is waterproof, so it can be used in bathrooms, pool areas, driveways, and many other areas of a home.
It is also highly resistant to stains, making it an ideal choice for areas where messes are commonplace.
In addition, slate is extremely durable and can stand up to the rigors of a busy household.
You don't need to be worried that young children or visitors will damage it, as it requires very little maintenance.
Slate comes in a variety of designs and colors and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers - provided, of course, that they have the right tools and sufficient experience.
If you are a novice, you should always let a professional handle your installation.
One drawback of slate, however, is that it can get fairly cold during the winter.
This problem can be avoided if proper insulation is applied to tiles before installation, but that will also, of course, increase the cost.
Whether you use these types of masonry supplies or other options, it is very important to hire a professional to take care of your installation unless you have a great deal of experience doing this type of job on your own.
If you make a mistake, you'll probably have a very unattractive project that will be difficult to fix.
Make the safe choice and turn to an expert instead.