Masonry Magazine August 2005 Page. 39
Masonry Stains
Masonry stains are different than paint because they do not cover the surface dwelling like paint. "We're not hiding the product; we're enhancing or changing its color," he says. "Our products soak into pores and only change the color; they don't change the surface textures. This is significant because it is the surface textures of these masonry products that make them feel and look so warm and pleasing to us. They are natural looking, and we want to preserve that look.
Long-lasting
Masonry stains can last for 25 years or more depending on which product is used. If you're looking for a stain, Gray recommends doing your "due diligence" on the stain search itself. He recommends that contractors look for a stain with a solid warranty, extensive field and laboratory testing, and ask for references to find a reputable company.
"There are two key factors when it comes to masonry staining," Gray says. "The first is having the right product. The second is having qualified applicators who know what they are doing, At Nawkaw, we take up to two years to completely train an applicator. There are many techniques and various pieces of equipment to master."
Masonry stain application is an art form, much like faux painting. The stains can be applied with brushes, sponges and bags. Spray applications are also available.
In the Eye of the Beholder
One of Nawkaw Corporation's prestigious masonry staining projects was the restoration of the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta. This historic site was once home to the famous author of "Gone With the Wind" and continues to be a popular tourist stop for visitors to the city.
Although project managers were thrilled that the staining of the home turned out just as they had hoped, Gray wasn't as excited about the final appearance. "They wanted the house to look just as it did when Margaret Mitchell lived there," Gray says. "Well, when she lived there, it was a somewhat run-down boarding house. So, that's what it looks like now."
Gray would have liked to see the brick stained back to the color of the original construction before the home was turned into apartments. But, the project just goes to show that masonry staining can accomplish a variety of looks.
Regina Sandlin, head of Trend Research and New Product Development at Signature Homes, a community home builder based in Birmingham, Ala, uses colored masonry as a sales tool. "We always try to get the look that people are drawn to when they see very expensive homes," she says. "We achieve an upscale look in our price point by using the colored mortars."
In some Signature Home communities, the homebuyer has a limited choice of brick colors and a wider choice of colored mortars. This helps the builder achieve economies of scale in brick purchases and rely on the colored masonry to create variety within the development.
The mortar makes up 15-20% of a wall's surface and should always be considered as a cost-effective approach for creating architectural variety, a more compelling look and competitive advantage. Rogers says that colored mortar gives him the ability to change the appearance and feeling of brick. "On the homes I build," he explains, "the mortar is only about 15% of the total area on a brick facade, but it can totally change the hue of the brick and give a different look."
In fact, with the seemingly endless array of mortar colors and varied finishing techniques available, the unique artistic expressions and upscale appearances of new brick homes may bear absolutely no resemblance to one another in style or architectural detailing.
The Power of Color in Developing Many Unique Looks
THE COLOR of the mortar can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of a house and effectively unify outdoor architectural elements such as walls, patios and fountains. When building a home that features exterior brick elements, Rogers chooses the same mortar color and same brick used in the house's facade to create a feeling that the courtyard is an extension of the house.