About Brick, Block & Stone

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Brick

As man's oldest manufactured project, brick is made from two of the world's most abundantly found natural resources - clay and water. Fired to around 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, the clay goes thru a chemically altering process called vitrification. Brick comes in an array of colors, sizes and textures.

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Block

When you combine Portland cement with sand/gravel and admixtures, tamp it down in a mold and steam it in a low pressure kiln, you create a concrete masonry unit. Block is strong and a great choice for structural stability. Concrete masonry comes in a variety of sizes, colors and textures. 

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Natural Stone

Since the 1880's Iowa has quarried limestone (and sandstone) to use in structures around the state. With no two pieces being the same, natural stone is durable and easy to maintain.

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Cast Stone

Cast stone is a concrete masonry product simulating natural cut stone. Two production methods exist - dry cast and wet tamp.