It was since the beginning of human civilization that stonemasonry came into being. From small to big, stonemasons seem to have contributed their skills and knowledge to make beautiful works that speak of sheer excellence. From Greek temples to Roman amphitheatres and Egyptian pyramids, their works have added to the heritage of these beautiful edifices that stand tall even today. When compared to the old art of stonemasonry, the new forms of this practice includes more experimentation with blocks, wedges and slabs of stone to cut out beautiful buildings, statues and even landscaping in the garden. They build structures which are not just durable, but which also have a great aesthetic appeal.
- The materials need to be chosen according to the structure that is to be created
- Bricks, mortars, stone chips, slabs of stone, quartz and many other materials are chosen with which the stonemasons work.
- Stonemasons work in any part of your house, and depending whether they work in the kitchen or in the garden, they choose materials like manufactured stones, stucco and even burnt bricks.
Renaissance stonemasonry:
It was the renaissance that redefined stonemasonry and led to its prominence, especially in Italy where every structure speaks of the depth of art. During the 20th century this form of art started witnessing changes as improved levels of infrastructures were brought in like the following:
• Combustion engines
• Cranes
• Lorries
• Forklifts
• Powered saws
What followed was finery and beauty.
How to choose the right masonry materials?
Several materials including bricks, stones, marble and stucco are considered to be important materials which are used by stonemasons while they work in quarries, construction sites and for buildings and theatre.
Carving out symbols and features out of stones
• Stonemason carves out a symbol to help people identify his works from others
• The oldest manufactured product produced by man is brick
• Stonemasonry adds to the resale and property value of assets, by creating strong and durable pieces of architecture that stand against the vagaries of time and that acts as a shield against rough and unpalatable weather conditions
• Masonry requires low maintenance because it doesn’t need reworks or touch-up with time
What do you need to become a stonemason? What are the tools required?
Do you want to pursue your passion in stonemasonry? Like any other artists these skilled individuals firstly need to work on a wide range of stones, from softer to rougher and harder. However, in course of time he will also need to hone up his talent. Hand-and-eye coordination alongside a little bit of knowledge on mathematics help the artist gain an overall confidence on the matter. Here is what an aspiring mason needs to do to get hold of the art:
He must spend extended hours in the class to seek knowledge on the intricate areas of masonry. A stonemason requires certain basic forms of tool with which he chisels out beautiful carvings in stone. Usually a mason has to complete a course of four years and seek training from an expert in the field. The apprenticeship entails experience in theoretical aspects, hewing and building work
The different types of stonemasons according to their nature of work:
Stonemasonry is vast. There are different types of masons who are specialized in different aspects of stonework. They are mentioned below:
• Quarryman who splits sheets of rocks
• Sawyer mason who cuts and shapes up stones
• Banker mason who takes these shaped up stones and further refines them
• Carver mason who creates patterns and carves out stones
• Fixer mason specializes in fixing the work
Stonemasons are dedicated individuals committed to their work of artistry. They lend their knowledge and skills to bring up work that are unique. Please click here to get an expert advice for Stonemason.
