Our Masonry Blog

A Lancaster MA mason's hard-won fireplace remodeling tips — why painting brick limits your stone options, how to pick stone by area, mantle mistakes to avoid, and when a makeover is DIY-able.

Why your new fireplace needs a dedicated fresh air source — and how to get it right. Expert fireplace guidance from J.B. Mohler Masonry in Lancaster, MA.

A chimney that still leaks after repeated repairs usually needs internal pan flashing — not another coat of sealer. A Lancaster, MA mason explains the real fix.

See how J.B. Mohler Masonry transformed an outdated fireplace in Wayland, MA: stone facing, updated surround, and a refresh that fits the home.

Expert chimney restoration in Lancaster MA. J.B. Mohler Masonry diagnoses whether your old chimney needs repair or a full rebuild.

Stone veneer looks solid, but what's underneath matters just as much. A Massachusetts mason explains what makes a stone veneer installation last.

A classic Rumford fireplace built with granite in Massachusetts. See the craftsmanship behind a Rumford that heats well and looks striking for decades.

How to repair an old stone or rubble foundation in Massachusetts: why lime mortar matters, the deep-injection repointing method, and what a basement restoration involves. From a Central MA mason.

Bluestone holds up to New England winters and looks great for decades. Here's why Massachusetts homeowners choose bluestone steps — from a local mason.

A chimney built with the wrong materials or methods fails fast. A Lancaster MA mason explains the signs of poor chimney construction before it becomes a crisis.

Transform a dated brick or concrete fireplace with thin stone veneer. J.B. Mohler Masonry shows how the process works and what it looks like in Massachusetts.

See the craft behind a full Corinthian granite stone chimney — built by hand in Massachusetts by J.B. Mohler Masonry. Stone selection, technique, and results.

A custom lightblock built with stone veneer — see how J.B. Mohler Masonry crafts decorative masonry features that complement a home's exterior in Massachusetts.

Rumford fireplaces radiate more heat and draw better than standard designs. See how J.B. Mohler Masonry builds them in Massachusetts — and why they last.

Thin stone veneer is a cost-effective way to add real stone to your home without the weight and expense of full stone veneer — explained by a Massachusetts mason.

J.B. Mohler Masonry builds woodstoves and Rumford fireplaces that can meaningfully lower the cost of heating a Massachusetts home in winter — here's how.

Tuck pointing restores mortar joints before water gets in. J.B. Mohler Masonry offers affordable tuck pointing across central Massachusetts — done to last.

Before calling a mason, know what to look for. J.B. Mohler Masonry walks you through a visual chimney check — cracks, spalling, and signs of water damage.

Crown, flashing, flue, firebox — every part of a chimney and fireplace serves a purpose. J.B. Mohler Masonry explains what each component does and why.

Manufactured fireplaces are efficient and lower-cost — but they come with trade-offs. A Massachusetts mason breaks down what you get and what you give up.

Not all cracks are equal — some are cosmetic, others structural. A Lancaster MA mason explains the 4 most common masonry cracks and how to address each one.

Masonry, prefabricated, metal — each chimney type has different costs, lifespans, and maintenance needs. A Massachusetts mason explains your options.

Stone and brick veneers add curb appeal without the cost of full masonry. A central Massachusetts mason explains why they're a smart choice for MA homeowners.

Designing a masonry fireplace involves more than aesthetics. A Lancaster MA mason walks through the structural, draft, and material choices that make it work.

Masonry wall cracks need the right repair method or they'll come back. A Lancaster MA mason explains when to patch, when to tuck-point, and when to call a pro.