How Masonry Contractors Give Projects a Distinctly Professional Look in Barrington, RI

A backyard patio doesn’t have to have a casual or rustic feel if you prefer more sophistication and elegance. And it most certainly doesn’t have to look like a DIY project. Here’s how masonry contractors give projects a distinctly professional look in Barrington, RI.

Related: 6 Fun Masonry Features to Add Interest to Your Middletown, RI Backyard

What’s the Difference Between a DIY Project and a Professional Project?

The difference is in the details. While many capable DIY-ers can put together a beautiful patio or a small retaining wall, most don’t have the skills or time required to achieve a professional look, starting with the design and finishing with a well-executed installation that will stand the test of time. 

The Design

A reputable masonry contractor may need to give a homeowner a dose of reality and be upfront about projects that are not structurally or economically feasible. In the long run, even if a design has to be modified, it will pay off in greater home value.

The Materials

A professional mason will educate a homeowner if the homeowner wants to use a material that isn’t suitable for the project, and will offer alternatives. It’s more important to get the right materials than to save a few bucks because the real payoff comes after the hardscape has paid for itself after many years of use.

The Purchasing

In cases where the masonry contractor is in charge of purchasing materials, you can be sure that the correct amount will be purchased before work starts; including extra materials to account for breakage. An experienced masonry contractor won’t need to scramble for materials at the last minute to finish a project that’s already in progress!

The Foundation

Nobody notices the level of care that goes into a good foundation for a patio… until the patio starts to sag, pavers come loose, or it starts to take on a lumpy and uneven appearance. 

This means that the foundation isn’t up to the job, and unfortunately, this also means that the entire patio, walkway, retaining wall, or driveway will need to be completely redone.

A hardscape foundation isn’t just a pit filled with gravel. The site must be prepared so that it is level, free of obstructions, and drains properly. Care must be taken to secure the edges of the hardscape so that pavers don’t migrate into the surrounding soil. The underlying aggregate must be properly compacted and the sand must be leveled (but with just enough of a slope to allow for drainage). A hardscape will last for many years but only if this is done carefully.

The Installation

Masons don’t take shortcuts, no matter how tempting it may be. They pride themselves on their work - and this includes seeing a project decades later when it still looks as good as new. During installation, professional masons will keep the job site safe, and as clean as possible. They understand the disruption a landscaping project can cause you. 

The Details

Details show the level of thought, expertise and sophistication that is put into an idea. A professional mason understands that details don’t always get noticed with a casual glance; but that poorly executed details jump out like glaring mistakes and leave the viewer wondering what else was missed. 

Small details make all the difference, including perfectly complementary colors; equal gaps between paving stones; clean cuts; and perfectly level surfaces. 

If these details are missed - if colors don’t quite work together because they’re in different color families or because they take on unattractive hues when wet; uneven gaps; irregular cuts (that aren’t that way on purpose) and rough surfaces are tell-tale signs that not enough experience or care went into a project. 

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