Cole Masonry

10/12/2026

We recently completed the stone veneer columns on this porch. The columns are clad in Connecticut Blend Ashlar from Delgado, a multi-toned natural stone featuring a balanced mix of gray, tan, and warm brown hues in a traditional ashlar pattern. The columns are finished with precision-cut bluestone caps that provide a clean, durable top surface, and each is fitted with bluestone squares set into the veneer to securely anchor the railing posts.
We appreciate the collaboration with Seawood Enterprises on this project. We also thank NH Thinstone for supplying the materials and extend special thanks to Allan’s Masonry for their skilled assistance in bringing the work to a high standard of finish.

10/02/2026

Stone veneer going on the porch columns. The piers are wrapped in cement board and waterproofed with ARDEX 8+9, and the first courses are set at the base in Connecticut Ashlar blend from Delgado — mixed gray and tan, tight joints, built to carry the look of the house once the rest of the column is covered.
This is the part that doesn’t show in the finished photo: a solid substrate, a proper waterproofing coat, a level start, and stone cut to fit the pier instead of forced around it. The rest of the column follows that first course.
Cole Masonry — quality doesn’t cost more, it pays.

07/26/2026

A current project we are working and discovered these bricks and we all know how much we love bricks! Here is a little history on where these bricks were originated from.

New England Brick Company (NEBCO)

• Formed in 1900 through consolidation of multiple brick plants across New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine) and New York.
• At its peak, it controlled over 30 brickyards and had a production capacity of around 180 million bricks per year (early 20th century figures).
• Known for common brick and “Harvard bricks” used in Georgian Revival buildings around Harvard University in the 1910s–1920s.
• Operations used local surface clays. The company faced bankruptcy issues early on, restructured, and largely wound down by the mid-1950s (Cambridge, MA yard closed ~1952; other sites later). It is now defunct.

🧱🧱🧱🧱🧱🧱🧱

07/17/2026

New Clamp making our lives easier.

07/09/2026

It's definitely been ages since we've rocked some old school stone work and apparently we still haven't lost the touch on this project we're using old New England rounds and flats and more progress photos are on their way!

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all dads, enjoy your day.

06/17/2026

The bitterness of “Poor Quality “ is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Everyone wants the cheapest price.

Until it's their house.

Until it's their foundation.

Until it's their chimney.

Until it's their retaining wall collapsing.

The cheapest contractor is rarely the cheapest outcome.

The best contractors spend years learning what not to do.

You're not paying for bricks, mortar, concrete, or labor.

You're paying for experience.

You're paying for mistakes that have already been made and learned from.

You're paying for someone who knows how to get it right the first time.

Price is what you pay.

Cost is what you live with.

05/30/2026

A new foundation was required for this small camp addition. We utilized hydraulic jacks and support columns to lift the 16’x22’ structure sufficiently to remove the existing foundation. Following the removal, we demolished and removed the old footing, which was only a few inches thick. Subsequently, we excavated for a new 12” footing, installed rebar, and poured new concrete. New CMU was installed, solidly grouted at each corner and every 4’ with rebar reinforcement. The structure was then lowered back to its original height.

05/23/2026

We recently completed a stucco project that involved integrating it with multiple other tasks. Our team thoroughly pressure washed the block foundation areas and repointed sections that required repair. A two-coat application of gray stucco was applied to achieve a high-quality finish, thereby restoring the appearance of the block foundations.

05/08/2026

Another appropriately configured chimney setup is currently underway. As per standard protocol, scaffolding is being erected to ensure safety and protect the roof shingles from potential damage. This chimney requires only minor repair work, consisting of repointing, re-flashing, and applying a seal coat.