Steen Metselwerk

Stone masonry falls mainly into two categories: rubble and ashlar.

Rubble masonry uses uneven, naturally shaped stones, often found as river rocks or quarry fragments.

Ashlar masonry uses square or rectangular-shaped blocks, allowing for smoother surfaces.

Both rubble and ashlar masonry may be coursed, featuring consistent horizontal joints, or uncoursed, where such horizontal joint lines are absent, offering different structural aesthetics.

In rubble stonework, the uneven shapes and sizes of stones necessitate that the mason chooses each stone to suit the allotted space. Occasionally, a stone may be shaped using a mason's hammer to achieve a precise fit.

Mortar joints in stone masonry are often raked, between a half inch to one inch or more, after the stones are set to avoid irregular settling.

Once the remaining mortar is cured by spraying water and letting it dry, the wall is finished by carefully pointing to completely fill the joints with mortar again.

Stone masonry is often integrated with concrete masonry to reduce cost. Stone is utilized in visible areas for its appearance, while concrete masonry is employed in sections that are concealed.