Advantages for Homeowners: Build safer, more valuable homes with masonry

"One just needs to look at the most treasured old neighbourhoods throughout Ontario, and indeed the world, to recognize both the aesthetic and functional value of brick,"
Jamie Armstrong, Regional Marketing Manager for Hanson Brick Ltd.

Building the home you love, from the outside in

When buying your first home – and especially a new home – there are a lot of choices to make and options to consider. Although the focus is usually placed on interior finishings, MasonryWorx offers the following tips for new homebuyers looking to maximize their investment from the outside in. A home is the single most expensive purchase most people will make, so it makes sense to invest in the structure itself to ensure it is still standing many years from now.

Tips for new homebuyers

Choosing masonry materials – brick, block and stone – over other available cladding options offers a number of advantages including quality of life, superior fire performance, environmental benefits, and durability.

Love thy neighbour – not their music

With the continued popularity of semi-detached and townhomes, sound insulation is high on new homebuyers’ priority list. Studies show noise can impact our overall well-being and cause annoyance, stress, and sleep disruptions. Masonry materials are extremely effective noise isolators, and if used to build any shared walls it means that you may like your neighbour – but you don’t have to like their music.

Don’t fan the flames

Research shows 1-in-10 Canadians have experienced a house fire. One way to reduce exposure to the risks and devastation of a fire is to choose masonry materials over other popular cladding and building materials. Unlike vinyl siding and stucco, masonry materials are noncombustible, will maintain structural stability and integrity, and do not produce toxic emissions. A masonry wall will prevent the spread of fire by containing the flames, increasing the likelihood of residents escaping harm.

It’s easy being green

Environmentally conscious homebuyers will be happy to know the easiest and most basic way to build a green home is with masonry materials. Brick, block and stone are proven to provide energy savings by regulating temperature fluctuations and keeping homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter, Masonry products maintain healthy air quality because they do not produce volatile organic compounds. They are also produced using renewable resources that can be salvaged and reused.

Built to last

Compared to alternative materials like vinyl siding and wood, masonry is tougher, more durable, and longer lasting. A house is a home, and the structure itself remains part of the community forever. Masonry has a lifespan of 100 years or more; and masonry resists mould, fire, water, and impact, and requires little-to-no maintenance. Homes built with masonry materials offer a higher resale value, which means better return on your investment.

For more information on the benefits of masonry, please contact us.

Masonry makes cents:

Masonry is the right choice for many good reasons including the bottom line. Here’s why:

• Higher resale value - Research shows that homes built with brick, block and stone have a higher resale value --- 4-6% higher on average. That’s money every homeowner can use.
• Significant cost savings - Masonry homes cost less to heat in the winter and to cool in the summer. Masonry does not require painting or washing, meaning homeowners enjoy cost savings on low-maintenance homes. Many insurance companies offer discounts to owners of masonry-constructed homes.
• Beauty and versatility - The beauty of masonry homes stand the test of time. With a wide range of colours, textures, shapes and sizes, masonry gives homeowners the flexibility to choose their own unique style. No other cladding has this versatility in design. Masonry conveys an image of excellence and performance and remains unmatched in design and flexibility.
• Strength and durability - Masonry is strong and will not rot, corrode, warp or dent – even under the harshest weather conditions. Durable masonry products also provide an effective sound barrier to external noise.
• A safe and healthy home - Masonry homes help keep families safe. They’re highly non-combustible, fire-resistant and help prevent the spread of fire to neighbouring buildings. Masonry products are not prone to toxic mould problems and emit smaller amounts of volatile organic compounds than any other building material, thus contributing to superior air quality.
• Environmentally friendly - Masonry products are the original, sustainable, green products. Most of the materials they contain (including clay, limestone, sand, and gravel) are available in virtually inexhaustible supply. With a lower environmental impact than wood or steel, the energy used in manufacturing is lower than steel and the source of the raw material requires significantly less land (more easily reclaimed land) than forestry or iron ore mines.

Advantages for Municipalities: Building beautiful communities

"Builders own a home until they sell. A homeowner owns it for an average of five to seven years. A community owns a home forever."
– Heartland Brick Council

There’s a trend in North American communities today. As civic leaders plan for the future, they see the link between the look of a community and its appeal as a place to live, work, shop and play. More and more communities are choosing and using smart building materials. For example, some North American municipalities are setting a minimum requirement for the use of masonry in residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Here’s why.

• Sustainable communities - Look around you. Communities built with masonry don’t just look better; they last longer. Beautiful buildings mean beautiful communities.
• Healthy communities - Masonry-built communities are also healthy communities. Masonry lowers the risk of health and environmental problems that may arise from other non-masonry building materials, such as toxic mould associated with EIFS or the gas emitted from vinyl if it catches fire.
• Safety - Ask your fire chief – and you’ll hear that masonry construction is highly non-combustible, fire-resistant, and helps prevent the spread of fire from neighbouring buildings – minimizing the devastating impact fire can have on a community. Its inherent strength and integrity helps resist damage from high water pressure streams used by firefighters and impacts of collapsing debris and explosions that would otherwise permit fire to readily pass. Masonry is inherently strong and provides superior property and personal protection.

Advantages for Architects and Engineers

"Traditional cladding is always our first choice because of its durability, beauty and safety. When a home’s four walls are built from brick, we use this feature as a selling point because brick homes are higher quality homes than those built with other claddings."
– Mr. Blanford Gates, Fleiss-Gates-McGowan-Easton Architects

Architects and engineers have tough jobs... and demanding clients. They know that a building that’s safer — and carries lower costs throughout its life cycle —means a happier client. It also means their unique legacy will be a source of pride for many years to come. Here's why:

• Better life cycle costing - Industry studies have proven that the life cycle costing of masonry products provides higher value for everyone.
• Sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings - Masonry products have significant environmental advantages. They are environmentally friendly, and they’re made from renewable, existing raw materials. That’s good for the environment… and it’s good for business. In addition, masonry contributes to high LEED performance and standards.
• Less pressure on energy costs - Because of their high thermal properties, buildings built with masonry cost less to heat in winter and to cool in summer.
• Safety - Ask your fire chief and you’ll hear that masonry construction is highly non-combustible, fire-resistant, and helps prevent the spread of fire from neighbouring buildings – minimizing the devastating impact fire can have on a community. Its inherent strength and integrity helps resist damage from high water pressure streams used by firefighters and impacts of collapsing debris and explosions that otherwise would permit fire to readily pass. Masonry is inherently strong and provides superior property and personal protection.

Advantages for Builders and Developers

With masonry, you’ll always be known for quality

Quality

Every builder wants to be known for quality. For customers, quality often means taking a hard look at what’s on the outside. Does it look good? Is it safe? Will it stand the test of time? Masonry provides a meaningful, durable solution to these goals, one that homebuyers will appreciate. To distinguish yourself as a quality masonry builder click here and become part of our builders directory.

Choice

Homebuyers prefer masonry. Recent studies show that over 80% of consumers in Ontario put masonry first in fire resistance, durability, stability in extreme weather and increased value of their home. Offering masonry homes as a choice to consumers provides a unique selling point for your community.

Value

Customers know that in the long term, nothing beats masonry for value. When they buy a home with masonry, they’ll save money on maintenance — and make money on resale. That’ll keep the customer coming back.