House Builds
New house building contractors
New House Builds
Residential House Builders
When it comes to building homes GM Contracts are the leaders in specialized building in block and brick work from foundation to roof level.
Where quality comes as standard, GM contracts are always setting new standards. We deliver the highest standard in construction, finishing and completion.
Experienced Builders
At every stage of the build our construction management team carry out regular inspections.
We are an experienced building firm. Our aim is to provide a professional competitive service whether its a garden patio, driveway, house extension or a completed house build.
Blockwork
Materials Used
Masonry is the process of building structures from small individual building units usually bonded together by mortar. The units can be of brick, stone, clay concrete, granite, limestone, cast stone and so much more. These small units of which brick and block are they commonest in Ireland are used to create the internal and external walls of buildings.
Concrete Blocks
The units when bonded together can be either load bearing or used to make visual pleasing veneer. Concrete blocks and indeed all masonry offer great strength in compression but much less intention. This means that large areas of flat walls may need reinforcing to with stand high wind loads or earth movement. The reinforcing can be done by inserting vertical and horizontal steel re bars, filing or partially filling hollow concrete block work with more concrete, or by constructing piers that buttress the structure at regular intervals.
Structural Strength
But even though masonry is usually valued for it structural strength, it can be used as a veneer on buildings that derive their strength entirely from timber. For example timber framed homes are often clad in brick or stone because masonry is so heavy it relies for intrinsic success on been placed on a strong foundation.
Usually of reinforced concrete as almost by definition, masonry isn’t a flexible building material unlike timber. To reduce cracking long walls of masonry must have vertical expansion joints. Typically these are at 6 metre centres for concrete block work and 12 metre centres for brick work.
blockworks
How it Forms
Care must be taken with mortar strengths. Too strong a mix and there is a increased risk of cracking. Too weak and the joints weather badly and let in water over the years.
Masonry is not subject to rot, decay, moisture or UV damage, corrasion or infestation. The sheer physical mass of masonry walls means they have very good sounds proofing. Obviously building in the non -combustible material has benefits like total fire resistance!
Resilient Material
Concrete and masonry in general absorb heat in hot conditions then release it back into the living space acting like a whole house storage radiator. In areas where flooding is at risk masonry walls can be designed to be resilient. They return to their normal strength once dried out.
Experienced Builders
G&M have been building block houses for many many years and so the vast experience and workmanship is impeccable as we have been building homes all across Ireland.
Brickwork
Brick Design
Although most of us think of brick work as a decorative veneer on the outside of our homes, bricks can also be used for the structural internal walls. Bricks been of a smaller size than a block makes them very practical when creating curved or other unusual walls. Bricks are usually made out of clay but can also be made out of concrete and come in literally hundreds of different styles and colors.
Many of which are dictated by the nature of the original clay from which they are made. The way the clay is baked also has a profound effect on the outcome.
The brick units that run horizontally are known as “stretchers” and those that run transverse to the wall, “headers”. Each row of bricks is called a “course” and the way in which courses, headers and stretchers are configured can produce very different visual and even structural effects. Vertically staggered bonds tend to be stronger and suffer less cracking than non staggered ones.
Sizing of Brick
Bricks come in several different sizes but they all fit into the hand of the mason and most can be easily cut when necessary. Bricks that are heavier, stronger and suitable for use in situations where crushing strength is important such as below ground level are often known as engineering bricks.
Brickwork
Brick Veneers
Brick veneers are connected to the structural wall behind at intervals by steel walls tie, leaving a gap between. This is known as cavity wall. The positioning and nature of these ties is all laid down in the building regulations and these rules must be adhered to; the ties ensure the whole wall structure remains stable.
The gap between the two skins of a cavity wall prevents water that gets through the veneer skin from reaching the inner skin and thus the house itself. This gap called be filled or partially filled with insulating materials.
Great care must be taken when constructing such cavity walls to ensure that mortar doesn’t bridge the gap between the skins as it falls onto the wall ties. Ensure that these ties are cleaned off before you end your day on the site.
Its customary to create weep holes at the base of the outer skin to allow water that might penetrate this veneer to escape outside rather than collect in the cavity between.
Cavity Blocks
Mortar must be kept off the inner faces of cavity, leaves no insulation boards can be properly located in the space between inner and outer skins. Cavity trays with associated stop ends and weep holes must be used above structural openings and above all external wall penetrations.
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