Custom Home Masonry: Building Your Dream Home in Brick
Custom home masonry defines a home's exterior for a lifetime. Here's what expert-level planning looks like when brick and stone are done right from the ground up.
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AMS Masonry — Chicagoland's Trusted Partner Since 2005
Brick, stone, chimneys, and exterior maintenance — written by the team that has worked on thousands of Chicagoland homes.
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Custom home masonry defines a home's exterior for a lifetime. Here's what expert-level planning looks like when brick and stone are done right from the ground up.
Read ArticleBrick installation done right produces a 75-year facade. Done poorly, it becomes a 15-year repair project. Here is what separates the two in Chicago's climate.
Read ArticleNatural stone and limestone bring timeless character to Chicago homes — but material selection and installation details determine whether they perform for 100 years or 20.
Read ArticleBrick and stone veneer systems can dramatically transform a home's exterior — but the installation system behind the face material determines whether it lasts 30 years or 5.
Read ArticleA masonry chimney is one of the most maintenance-intensive elements of any Chicago home. Understanding what to inspect, repair, and rebuild keeps your family safe and your home sound.
Read ArticleConcrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls are the structural backbone of most commercial construction in Chicagoland. Here's what makes the difference between block that passes inspection and block that performs for decades.
Read ArticleThe exterior of a commercial building communicates quality, permanence, and investment to every client who approaches it. Brick and stone do this better than any other material.
Read ArticleA full masonry veneer system replaces or covers your entire exterior in brick or stone — one of the most significant property value investments available to residential and commercial owners.
Read ArticleFailed mortar joints are the leading cause of preventable water damage in Chicagoland brick homes. Here is how to recognize the signs and why timing the repair correctly matters.
Read ArticleDamaged, spalled, or missing brick is more than an eyesore — it is an accelerating problem that grows every freeze-thaw cycle. Here is how professional replacement stops the damage.
Read ArticleRepair and rebuild are very different in scope and cost. Understanding which your chimney needs requires more than a visual inspection from the ground — here's what professionals look for.
Read ArticleWinnetka homeowners have specific expectations for masonry quality — and the North Shore market rewards those who meet them. Here's what premium masonry looks like in this community.
Read ArticleEvanston's historic brick homes require a different level of masonry expertise than new construction. The right approach preserves both the original character and the structural integrity for the next generation.
Read ArticleHinsdale homeowners invest in masonry that matches the character of one of the Midwest's most prestigious communities. Here's how AMS delivers that standard consistently.
Read ArticleHighland Park's lakefront properties and luxury homes present masonry challenges unique to Lake Michigan's climate exposure. Here's how AMS approaches work at this level.
Read ArticleNaperville's growth has brought new construction and renovation masonry demand that requires expertise across both new build specification and existing structure repair. AMS serves both.
Read ArticleCommercial masonry in Chicago requires urban project management, city permitting experience, and the ability to work within schedules that residential projects don't demand. Here's how AMS delivers.
Read ArticleOak Brook's commercial corridor sets a high standard for exterior presentation. Brick and stone masonry on commercial properties in this market demands precision and proper specification.
Read ArticleWilmette's residential brick homes are among the most charming on the North Shore — and among the most maintenance-intensive. Here's how to know when repair is enough and when replacement is necessary.
Read ArticleNorthbrook's housing market spans new construction, mid-century renovation, and everything in between. AMS brings consistent masonry quality across all of it.
Read ArticleDowners Grove homeowners increasingly recognize masonry as a long-term value investment, not just a maintenance cost. Here's how the right masonry work pays for itself in this market.
Read ArticleMost chimney damage in Chicago homes is predictable and preventable. These five warning signs indicate problems that get significantly worse — and more expensive — if ignored past one heating season.
Read ArticleBoth brick and stone offer exceptional longevity in Illinois's climate — but they perform differently, cost differently, and require different maintenance over their lifespans. Here's how to choose.
Read ArticleChicago averages 30 freeze-thaw cycles per year — more than almost any other major US city. Here's how those cycles damage brick and mortar, and what homeowners can do to minimize the impact.
Read ArticleBrick repairs deferred by one or two seasons can multiply in cost by 3× to 10×. Here's the real math behind why timing masonry maintenance correctly is the most important decision you can make.
Read ArticleThe masonry contractor market in Chicagoland is wide and quality varies enormously. These seven questions separate contractors who will do the job right from those who will create problems you will be paying to fix for years.
Read ArticleTuckpointing prices in Chicago vary widely — from quotes that seem too good to be true (and are) to comprehensive professional work priced for durability. Here's how to understand what you're buying.
Read ArticleA 1980s vinyl-sided colonial in Hinsdale became one of the neighborhood's standout homes after a full stone veneer installation. Here's how the project unfolded from assessment to completion.
Read ArticleThe short answer is: sometimes yes, but with significant limitations. Here's what is actually possible for winter masonry work in Chicago, what requires a cold-weather setup, and what should wait for spring.
Read ArticleSince 2005, AMS has completed masonry projects on thousands of Chicagoland homes. Here's what nearly two decades of work in this specific market has taught us — and why it matters for your project.
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