At Firecraft our skilled stonemasons can create the most beautiful hand crafted fireplaces. Although committed to innovation and the latest developments in production and design, the methods our stonemasons use have been refined over centuries, passed from master to apprentice. Here’s our quick guide to stone masonry:
- Stone masonry is the craft of using stone from the earth to create structures and sculpture.
- It is one of the oldest trades in the history of civilisation, the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used stone masonry heavily to create long lasting monuments that we can still see today.
- In the 20th century with the arrival of the internal combustion engine, the heavy lifting jobs that were previously done by animal or human strength were able to be done by cranes or forklifts, making these aspects of the craft easier.
- Traditionally stone masons have learnt their craft as an apprentice, the modern apprenticeship usually lasts 4 years.
- Stone masonry using cut stones is known as Ashlar masonry whereas if irregular shaped stone is used it is called rubble masonry.
- The basic tools for shaping stone are mallets, chisels , metal straight edge and trowel. The sizes and shapes of chisels available to buy today remain virtually unchanged from ancient times.
- Power tools are also often used today, such as angle grinders, power chisels or abrasive spinners. Although time and money savers they still need a lot of training and skill to use.