Masonry glossary

Learn more about masonry with this glossary of masonry-related terms and phrases. Call us today for more information.

The field of masonry includes many terms and expressions with which you may be unfamiliar. We’ve compiled a glossary with a wide range of words and expressions commonly used in masonry. 

• Air-barrier membrane: Layer of material used to prevent unwanted air infiltration.
• Angle irons: L-shaped metal profiles used to reinforce wall corners or support loads.
• Brick: Rectangular building units made from fired clay or concrete, used for wall construction.
• Caulking: Process of sealing joints or cracks to prevent water or air infiltration.
• Cement : Fine powder used as the main ingredient in the manufacture of concrete and mortar.
• Concrete block: Prefabricated concrete building unit, often used for wall construction.
• Concrete: Building material composed of cement, sand, gravel and water, used to form structural elements.
• Crack: Split or break in a building material, often due to movement or stress.
• Efflorescence: Deposits of white mineral salts that form on the surface of building materials, often caused by humidity.
• Fieldstone: A type of stone used for construction that comes from fields or quarries.
• Foundations: Masonry elements that support and stabilize a structure.
• Frost boil: A protuberance that usually develops on a brick or stone wall when these elements begin to detach from the main structure. This deformation can be caused by a variety of factors, such as weakened anchors, construction errors or humidity problems.
• In-wall flashing: Waterproof material used to seal joints around roof openings.
• Joint reinforcement: Wire mesh or fibers used to reinforce mortar joints between bricks or blocks.
• Lime: Binding material used in mortar to improve plasticity and strength.
• Lintels: Horizontal pieces placed above an opening to support the load above.
• Masonry shear: Force acting perpendicular to masonry joints, often due to lateral loads.
• Mortar joint: Space filled with mortar between bricks or masonry blocks.
• Mortar: Mixture of cement, sand, water and sometimes lime used to bond masonry units.
• Natural stone: Stone extracted from quarries and used for construction because of its durability and aesthetics (granite, sandstone, marble, etc.).
• Parging: Textured finishing coat applied to the exterior surface of walls.
• Re-anchoring: Process of reinforcing existing support anchors to stabilize masonry.
• Refection: Process of repairing, renovating or rebuilding a masonry structure.
• Reinforcing iron: Steel bar used to reinforce reinforced concrete structures.
• Repointing: The process of filling or repairing mortar joints between bricks or masonry blocks.
• Saint-Marc limestone: Type of limestone used as a building material, originating from the Saint-Marc quarry in the Quebec City area.
• Siding : The visible outer layer of a wall or structure.
• Sills: Wall sections above an opening such as a window or door.
• Supporting anchors: Devices used to stabilize and reinforce foundations or masonry walls.
• Water-barrier membrane: Layer of material used to prevent water infiltration into the construction.
• Waterproofing membrane: Layer of impermeable material applied to prevent water infiltration.
• Waterproofing: Ability of a material or system to prevent water or air penetration.
• Weep holes: Masonry elements used to allow rainwater to drain away from the wall.

About Restaure-Action

Composed of qualified professionals dedicated to specialized masonry work, our team has a combined experience of over 60 years. We have all the qualifications and skills needed to remedy your masonry needs, with our full range of services. We can carry out repairs in both the residential sector (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, duplexes and triplexes) and the commercial sector (commercial space, warehouses, historic buildings, etc.).

Any questions?

If you have any questions about masonry, our other masonry services or to request a free estimate, we invite you to contact us. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We travel to many parts of Montreal to provide residential and commercial masonry services.