Masonry
Brickwork That Adds Character and Lasting Value
Quality brickwork does not just change how a property looks — it adds character, strength, and value that holds. Whether you are refreshing a worn exterior, building something new, or restoring detail that has been lost, expert craftsmanship is what separates work that lasts from work that has to be redone.
5-year workmanship warranty
In writing, on every job we install.
- 5 years Masonry, brick, and stonework
Custom brickwork designed to last
Every home deserves brick features built with care and attention to detail. Our projects are tailored to fit your style, whether that is a new patio, an elegant entryway, or a full exterior upgrade.
We use premium materials and time-tested techniques so that every structure stands up to the elements and to time. We also help with the decisions that are easy to get wrong — color, bond pattern, and layout — so the finished work reads as though it was always part of the house.
Traditional technique, modern materials
Good brickwork honors the traditions of the craft while taking advantage of what modern materials do better. We blend old-world technique with current methods to deliver results that are classic and functional at once.
Whether we are restoring a historic feature or building something entirely new, the approach is the same: care, precision, and materials that meet today’s performance standards without losing the timeless look.
Serving homeowners across Fairfax
We are proud to work throughout Fairfax and the surrounding communities, on everything from intricate facades to sturdy retaining walls and pathways. Local knowledge matters more than people expect — soil, drainage, and the way local weather works on mortar all shape how a job should be built.
How the work runs
Brickwork, step by step
Every job follows the same sequence. You are told which stage you are at and what happens next.
Assessment and brick matching
We look at what is already there — the brick size, color, texture, and the bond it was laid in — and work out what will blend. On repairs, matching the existing brick matters more than anything else you choose.
Mortar analysis
Old brick was laid with softer mortar than modern mixes. We match the mortar to the brick rather than defaulting to the strongest available, because a mortar harder than the brick will destroy the brick instead of protecting it.
Preparation and demolition
Failed material comes out, joints are raked to depth, and surfaces are cleaned. On new work, the base or substrate is prepared first.
Layout and dry bond
Courses are laid out dry so the pattern lands correctly at corners, edges, and openings. This is where a bond pattern either reads as deliberate or reads as improvised.
Laying or repointing
Brick is laid and joints are struck to match the existing profile. Consistency in the joint is what your eye actually reads as good brickwork.
Cleaning and cure
The work is cleaned down without acid-washing new mortar prematurely, and left to cure. We clean the site at the end of every day, not just at the end of the job.
Recent work
Brickwork projects
Recent brickwork jobs, each with its own page. Photographs are our own work.
Brickwork photographs
★★★★★
John and his team replaced our back brick stairs that were falling apart. They were able to create a new set of stairs that matched our old pavers much better than the previous stairs. They were able to re-grade/level our patio so that it now sits flat. The grading before prevented us from being able to sit our table flat without wobbling. Lastly they provided a new walkway into our backyard. We love the new look and functionality.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can you match my existing brick?
Usually, and it is the first thing we look at. Brick sizes and colors have changed over the decades, so a close match often means sourcing a reclaimed or specialty brick rather than picking the nearest thing off a pallet. On an older house we will show you options before ordering, because a mismatch on a front facade is permanent and obvious.
What is repointing, and how do I know if I need it?
Repointing is raking out failed mortar joints and replacing them. You need it when mortar is crumbling, has receded noticeably behind the face of the brick, or you can rake it out with a key. Left alone, open joints let water into the wall, and freeze-thaw does the rest — at which point you are replacing brick rather than mortar.
Will the new mortar match the old?
We mix to match color and tool the joint to the same profile, and on most walls the repair reads as part of the wall within a season. New mortar cures lighter and darkens as it weathers, so there is usually a visible difference for the first few months. We tell you that up front rather than letting you discover it.
Why is there white powder on my brick?
That is efflorescence — mineral salts carried to the surface by water moving through the masonry. It is cosmetic in itself and often washes off, but it is a signal worth reading: it means water is getting into the wall and traveling. If it keeps returning after cleaning, the useful question is where the water is coming in, not how to scrub it off.
Also from Onyx
Driveway Paving
Asphalt, paver, and concrete driveways across Northern Virginia and DC. Base prep done right, every layer laid the way it should be.
Retaining Walls
Natural stone and segmental block walls that hold back soil, stop erosion, and add real structure to a yard.
Foundation Repair
Crack repair, stabilization, and restoration. Early attention to a foundation problem is the cheapest it will ever be.
Service area
Estimates are free everywhere on this list. If you are just outside it, call and ask — we often can.