Masonry How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our masonry step-by-step tips & ideas.
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How to Build a Stone Bird Bath
This Old House mason Mark McCullough shows host Kevin O’Connor how to turn two pieces of stone into a beautiful rustic birdbath.
How Build a DIY Faux Brick Wall
It’s hard not to love the look of exposed brick, but not everyone is lucky enough to have it in their home. Don’t worry; you can mimic the look with these tips.
How to Replace a Hearth with Slate Tile
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough replaces a common terra cotta hearth with slate tile.
How to Build Steps with Landscape Timbers
Creating a durable outdoor staircase with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook
How to Cut and Shape Stones
Escape the rock and the hard place with our most-watched YouTube video of all time
Bonus Uses for Masonry “Glue”
Mark McCullough has some solutions that don’t require mortar
How to Prevent Silica Dust when Drilling or Grinding
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough tests out different tools that collect silica dust more efficiently
How to Restore a Colonial-Era Beehive Oven
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough explains the history and function of Colonial-era beehive ovens and then restores one in a house built in 1750.
How to Whitewash Brick with Masonry Supplies
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates a way to whitewash brick with masonry materials
How to Build a Block Retaining Wall
House One editor and DIY Expert Jenn Largesse walks us through the process of building a retaining wall in her backyard.
How to Repoint Brick Using Only Hand Tools
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough visits Milwaukee to teach a homeowner how to repoint brick
How to Work with Concrete
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook explains masonry materials and then shows how to pour a concrete slab
4 Tips for Building Stone Walls in Your Yard
Choose the best materials, location, and method and improve the look of your landscape
How to Cut Stone for Natural Stone Walls
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates how to get the right-shaped stones for hardscaping projects using a variety of tools.
How to Install a Bluestone Landing on a Front Entry
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook upgrades an old brick with bluestone slabs
8 Concrete DIYs to Try
Versatile, affordable, easy to work with—concrete can be a DIYers best friend. From maintenance and repair to decorative elements, here are a few projects that anyone can do, quickly and confidently, with a bag of concrete and a bit of creativity.
How to Install Shutters on a Brick House
Use masonry anchors to attach working window coverings to a plain brick facade—and add some period charm, to boot
How to Build a Prefab Stone Wall
Roger Cook, landscape contractor, visits a stone yard that makes prefabricated stone walls at their facility before installing them on-site.
How to Repair a Crack in a Concrete Foundation
Fixing a fractured foundation with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva
How to Repair a Rusted Wrought Iron Railing
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva rebuilds a corroded, unsafe railing.
How to Cut Stone with Hand Tools
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates various techniques for cutting stone with hand tools.
How To Stain Brick
Brick is incredibly durable and can last a very long time, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the same old look for eternity. You can stain your brick surfaces for a new, fresh look, and we’ll show you how.
How to Make and Mix Concrete
Concrete projects can be tough work. While there isn’t much you can do about the labor, you can lighten the load on your wallet by making your own concrete mix. The process is simple, and you can tailor your mix for perfect results.
4 Inexpensive Retaining Wall Ideas
We rounded up our best retaining wall ideas so you can plan your DIY landscaping project.
How to Cut a Granite Countertop
Cutting granite for kitchen countertops whether indoors or outdoors—is a DIY-able job. But there are some caveats to consider before getting started.
How to Resurface Worn Concrete
Trowel concrete resurfacer over your worn walkway, and you'll have a brand new, durable surface with uniform color. Before you get started, check out this how-to video on working with concrete.
How to Match Mortar
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough explains how to match mortar for repointing jobs
How to Drill into Brick
Brick is an incredibly durable and long-lasting material. But if you need to hang a picture or mount a shelf to a brick wall, the usual methods can make the job seem impossible.
How to Install Concrete Pavers
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps an expecting couple install a concrete paver patio.
How to Reface a Concrete Wall
Mark McCullough and Jenn Nawada work together to reface an ugly concrete wall with a thin stone veneer to better match the rest of the patio that surrounds it.
How To Build a Stone Planter
Stack cast-concrete blocks in a tiered pattern to give your curb appeal a hefty boost
How to Redo a Brick Path
In this video, This Old House Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner redo his brick walkway that was originally a rush job. He explains that walkways need a sturdy, consistent base so it is not a project to be rushed.
How to Drill into Concrete
If you’re a DIYer of almost any level, chances are you’ll need to know how to drill into concrete or masonry at some point. Whether you’re mounting shelves on a cinder block garage wall, installing a window box on brick veneer or stucco, or mounting outdoor lighting onto stone, you’ll have to know how to drill into concrete.