A and J Masonry

10/18/2025

Most people see a stone arch and think, “How does that even stay up?” 👀

Here’s the secret — it’s not magic, it’s masonry. 🧱💪
For these arches, instead of using full 4-inch-thick stones, we carefully cut each piece from the inside, leaving about 2 inches of stone on each edge. That creates a hollow center that lets us set the stone directly over a steel lintel while keeping the rustic, natural look.

We start by building a solid wood form, laying the stone around it, and letting the mortar fully cure. Once that’s set, the form comes off, and we lock in the final pieces with epoxy and precise mortar joints — giving the illusion that the stone is “floating” in place.

It’s a mix of engineering, patience, and old-school craftsmanship — the kind of detail that makes masonry both an art and a science.

10/13/2025

08/11/2025

Matching buff stone to mortar isn’t always as simple as picking the right color.
I’ve learned that even the sand you use can change the outcome.
Using white sand with buff-colored mortar gives a much cleaner match — and avoids the pinkish tint that regular sand can cause.

Honestly, I didn’t think it would make such a big difference, especially since the manufacturer said the mortar isn’t designed with white sand in mind. But this experience proved it matters a lot! Sharing this so homeowners and builders know — little details can make a big impact.

07/21/2025

Picked up a few bottles of Chuparosa mezcal from Ignacia Villafañe — and it’s easily one of the most beautiful, pure mezcales I’ve tasted. On my recent trip to Mexico, I reconnected with my roots — not just through the agave, but through the stone. Seeing the precision and durability of Maya stonework reminded me why I do what I do. Stone doesn’t expire. And neither does the soul of our culture — in what we build and in what we drink.

🥃🪨🇲🇽