The Masonary Dumbtionary, from A to Z
A glossary of masonry terms that aren’t
the Cut Saw
The thing is: ALL saws cut. In my area anyway, most hardscapers refer to the gas powered saw as a “cut saw”. Ridiculous. I just call it “the saw”–because it’s the only saw on a masonry site. I mean masonary site (I’m kidding). Or 14″ saw, or 9″ saw, if there’s multiples…or “gas saw” if there’s a corded electric one or battery powered one on site..There’s many ways to go about it, but “cut saw” is the worse.
Which one of these is the cut saw? Also, aren’t my skill saw, reciprocating saw and jig saw–all cut saws? It’s like calling your drill the “screw drill”. Moo Cow. Moving along.
Drystack
Look, it’s dry stone not dry stack. Stone construction without mortar is called dry stone walling. Even worse, people refer to lick and stick thin stone veneer as “drystack” –if it’s installed without visible mortar. The stones come in boxes pre-cut into little rectangles. They’re set butted against each other with no mortar joint visible, so people call it “drystack”, But then those same people see m building a dry stone wall and say “hey, you’re building a drystack stone wall. See how the word stack doesn’t need to be there?
Henway
What’s a hen way? About 4 pounds.
It’s like a giant puzzle!
No,it really isn’t.
Since when can you use a saw or hammer to cut pieces in a puzzle?
Masonary
Is it masonary or masonry? I’ve met people who claim to do “masonary work”. Someone ought to tell em.
The mother of all incorrect masonry terms. As best as I can tell is that if the word does exist, then it’s like “missionary”. It’s a position two consenting adults can use. One partner just lays there, like a brick. The same people who say “masonary” when they mean masonry–also think a carpenter installs carpets for a living.
Pipe stretcher
Go get me one of those and while you’re at it: a left handed screwdriver, box of toe nails and the sky hook.
Polymetric Sand
a) the stuff is terrible, let’s just say I don’t like it, you shouldn’t use it and b) it says right on the bag “polymeric”. Why do so many people say “polymetric”?
See them cracks up in the polymetric sand? It’s a bad business.
Random Pattern
Dimensional flagstone is often set, without a specific plan. Certain rules are usually applied, such as no cross joints, or no straight lines longer than 4 feet, or whatever length. Is that really random then, of there’s rules? And is it a pattern if doesn’t repeat?
Rock
An unemployed stone, or a stone with a bad press agent. A lot of people just call anything a rock–a brick, a block, a stone–are all rocks. You people!
Slate
Absolutely any flat stone. I’m kidding, of course. Your patio is probably bluestone. I mean, if it was built in the 70’s and is in bad need of repair, and it’s made from a tricolor blend of purple, blue/green and cherry red–then okay, it might actually be slate.
Veneer masonry
Look if it’s a veneer then it is not masonry. Masonry work is structural. Veneer work is a surface treatment. More akin to siding. Really, I consider it a segmented stucco. Tiles would possibly be more accurate. It’s a type of vertical tiling. No offense intended against the installer, I’m just saying it’s a different trade. A lot of masons do it too, just lik a lot of masons do concrete work. Often we have to do concrete for our foundations. But concrete work is likewise not masonry. It’s a related trade. But masonry is defined as structural work built from small units built up into a structural mass. I’ve done a few veneer jobs, back in the day. Tried my best to make them look good. But it’s not masonry.
But wait–
Then again veneer work is similar to flagstone work, only smaller, and more vertical style. And flagstone work basically floor tile, though usually outdoor and set in mortar or crushed stone, with a mortar joint or crushed stone joint, instead of grout….but these are essentially alternative grout material.
