Don’t Let Mismatched Bricks Ruin Your Bellmore Home’s Curb Appeal
When planning a home addition or tackling necessary brick repairs in Bellmore, one of the biggest challenges homeowners face is finding compatible materials that seamlessly blend with their existing structure. One of the most daunting challenges homeowners and renovators face during renovations is ensuring that new bricks harmoniously blend with the old. The difference between a professional-looking project and an obvious patch job often comes down to proper brick matching techniques and sourcing quality materials from the right suppliers.
Understanding the Science of Brick Matching
Brick matching is not merely about finding bricks that look similar. It’s a science that demands a meticulous understanding of various factors to ensure that replaced or repaired bricks blend seamlessly with the original structure. For Bellmore homeowners, this process involves three critical components that determine the success of any masonry project.
When you’re looking for new bricks, matching their size to the original bricks can be more important than matching the color. Because color can be changed, but size cannot. The mason will have a hard time laying bricks that aren’t the same size. If the length and face height of the new bricks don’t match the original bricks, you’ll end up with an irregularly shaped wall. This type of wall will look sloppy, and in some cases, it won’t even match up with the original one.
The Three Pillars of Successful Brick Matching
Size Compatibility
Matching brick sizes is essential for an attractive blend. The mason has a difficult job laying brick when the face heights and lengths of the brick are not compatible. The new wall can look irregular and sloppy, and at times will not line up to the existing wall. This is particularly important for older Bellmore homes where brick dimensions may differ from modern standard sizes.
Color and Blend Considerations
You don’t have to exactly match the color of your new bricks with your old bricks, but the closer you get, the easier your job will be. When it comes to color, there are three things you need to keep in mind. These include understanding the blend composition, maintaining proper color percentages, and ensuring correct arrangement patterns.
The blend: A blend is made up of different colored, patterned bricks. A brick wall that has four different colored bricks is called a four-way blend. Each color in this blend has to match. If even one color is slightly off, the non-matching color will look obviously out of place.
Texture Matching
Texture should not be overlooked. Do your original bricks have a smooth, light, or heavy texture? Matching the original texture of your brickwork can help maintain a consistent look and feel, and makes a drastic difference to the end result.
Common Challenges for Bellmore Homeowners
One of the more commonly overlooked details that homeowners may not consider is the matter of matching the existing brick or stone to the rest of the house. “If your home is more than a few years old, there’s a chance that the brick that was originally used may not be readily available for your home addition,” says Normandy Design Manager Troy Pavelka.
The best way to find the right kind of matching brick is to track down the original manufacturer of your old brick. Unfortunately, this might be harder than it seems. Sometimes a manufacturer will change facilities. Though they might make the same type of brick by name, the switch in raw materials, machinery, and process that comes with changing facilities can make the brick look much different than it did before.
Sourcing Quality Materials in Bellmore
For Bellmore homeowners seeking reliable brick matching solutions, working with an established local supplier is crucial. The first stop should ideally be local brick suppliers. Bricks often have regional variations due to the source of the clay or local manufacturing practices. By starting locally, it’s more likely to find a brick that matches or closely resembles the sample.
When searching for the right masonry supply bellmore provider, consider companies with extensive experience serving Long Island communities. Jos.M.Troffa Materials Corporation is a premier landscape and masonry supply company. Located in the town of Setauket, we have been expertly servicing both commercial and residential customers throughout Long Island since 1972. Their 8-acre site is chock-full of the finest quality masonry supplies, such as paving stones, gravel, retaining walls, bricks, and stone veneers. These materials come from some of the best names in the masonry industry, including EP Henry Pavers, Belgard, Libertystone Pavers, General Shale, Endicott, and Gleny-Gery.
Professional Solutions When Perfect Matches Aren’t Available
If you can’t find the original brick, look for something that’s the same size and the same texture as your original brick. Just get the color as close as possible. If it doesn’t match your original brick, you can stain it the right color. Make sure your brick is absorbent (you can find out with a simple water test) and use a proven masonry stain system.
As a result, you can change color, while retaining the natural variations in tone that give brick a natural look. In fact, instead of coating the brick with a single color, the stain actually mixes with the pre-existing colors within the surface to produce the outcome you want.
Design Strategies for Seamless Integration
If you are able to salvage a substantial amount of existing brick at the point where the new room breaks through the existing walls, it is best to incorporate it randomly into the new materials so that it blends well and looks cohesive. “By off-setting the design, it is much easier for the brick to look as if it is a match because it is not located on the same plane,” advises Troy. “Interior corners create shadow lines and work with the light to help the brick appear more similar, even though it is not identical.”
The Value of Professional Expertise
Experienced masons have the skills and knowledge to identify suitable brick matches and execute the repair with precision. Their expertise can save you time and effort in the long run. Professional masonry companies like Ageless Masonry have the tools, skills, and knowledge to get the job done right. Plus, as a local masonry company, we understand the unique challenges of Long Island’s climate and architectural styles.
For Bellmore homeowners, working with suppliers who understand local needs makes a significant difference. The staff at Jos M Troffa is committed to providing their clients with the very best services possible. From help selecting products to the delivery of supplies, their crew will work with you every step of the way to ensure that all of your needs are met. The friendly and knowledgeable sales associates at Jos M Troffa go above and beyond to ensure that you have the best experience and get the highest quality products possible.
Planning for Long-Term Success
The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have, and the greater your chances of achieving the best result. Find out whether the original brick still are being made today, and, if so, whether they are still made at the same plant. The best way to know whether your tentative choice is a good match is to get a current sample that represents the complete range of color, size and texture. If possible, build a 40- to 100-brick panel, laid in mortar, so the proper percentages of the various colors of the brick range will be represented. Compare the panel to the wall you are trying to match.
Successful brick matching in Bellmore requires patience, expertise, and access to quality materials from trusted suppliers. When it comes to maintaining the classic beauty of brick structures, attention to detail is crucial. A successful brick match not only repairs a wall but also preserves the historical stories embedded in those old walls. It ensures that the overall narrative remains consistent and harmonious. By understanding the fundamentals of brick matching and working with experienced professionals and reliable suppliers, Bellmore homeowners can achieve seamless additions and repairs that enhance both their property’s value and curb appeal.