A good ensemble cast is the key to any great TV show. On the hit show "Friends", each cast member brought something different to the table. The same theory applies to masonry buildings. Especially in the Western PA and West Virginia markets, masonry buildings were (and are) often designed with multiple substrates because of their different attributes and visual style.
As designers, you need to direct this cast! Get the most out of them and use their talents wisely! So who is who on your cast of masonry "Friends"?
Limestone = Phoebe – Au-Naturale, versatile and intriguing. Like Pheobe, limestone has an old soul. That's because limestone is formed by eons of sedimentary buildup. You might even be able to see some fossils in the stone from long, long ago. Seashells, trilobytes, maybe even a sabertoothed tiger…that “smelly cat.”
Concrete = Joey – Joey was an actor who could take on a wide variety of roles. Similarly, concrete can take almost any form. It can be used for a grade beam, a foundation wall, a patio or driveway. If integrally colored and textured, it might even fool you into thinking it was a natural stone.
Granite = Monica – Solid, rigid and a bit unfeeling. That means it’s a perfect material to use for countertops, monuments, bridges piers, columns, and floors. Since it is very dense and less permeable to water and salts, it is a popular option for exterior masonry wall bases where sidewalks meet brick walls. However, lots of designers miss this detailing. So remember, "If I'm harsh with you, it's only because you're doing it wrong."
Sandstone = Chandler – Just like Chandler’s sarcastic sense of humor, sandstone can be abrasive at times. However, at its core, sandstone is solid and durable. Depending on where they are quarried, sandstones can be very dense or porous and absorptive. So they might deteriorate over time via freeze-thaw cycles. "Could you BE any more in need of a penetrating water-repellent?"
Marble = Rachel – Much like Jennifer Anniston’s haircut in the 90’s, marble is known for its stunning color and beauty. It has been used to make the world’s greatest sculptures and can even make your kitchen island pop. But the truth is that marble is a little bit dainty. It is a calcium-based stone, which means it can etch and stain in the presence of water, acids or other chemicals. “Isn’t that just kick-you-in-the-crotch, spit-on-your-neck fantastic?”
Brick = Ross – Plain, some might even say a bit boring but reliable. There’s no denying it has an appeal. Don’t forget that when constructing a brick wall, the International Masonry Institute recommends spacing expansion joints every 20-30 feet. You don’t want thermal expansion to cause your brick wall to say that they "were on a break!”