Our experienced brick mason team in New Orleans, LA delivers clean, durable brickwork for homes and small businesses. From new brick walls and steps to repairs and infill, we focus on strong structure, straight lines, and consistent mortar joints so your brick features look great and last for decades.
Superior Masonry New Orleans provides professional brick mason throughout New Orleans, LA, Louisiana and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (504) 321-4818 or request your free quote.
Brick masonry for New Orleans homes and businesses
Brick work in New Orleans is a little different from other cities, because you are dealing with a mix of 100-year-old masonry in shotgun houses and Creole cottages, and newer brick veneers in suburbs like Metairie and the Westbank. At Superior Masonry New Orleans, our brick masons start every job by figuring out exactly which type of construction you have. Solid brick walls, double wythe brick, and brick veneer over wood framing all behave differently in this climate, so the repair or new build has to match what is already there.
On a typical brick masonry job, we begin with a site visit. We check the existing brick for age, hardness, and manufacturer when possible, then note cracks, bulging sections, and areas where mortar has eroded from humidity and storms. On older homes in neighborhoods like Uptown or the Marigny, we often test a small area of mortar to see if it is lime based or cement based. Matching the wrong mortar type can actually damage historic brick, so this early step is critical.
For new brick walls, steps, or porches, we measure the area, confirm foundation or footing conditions, then discuss brick patterns, colors, and joint styles with you on site. Instead of just dropping off a catalog, we usually show real brick samples in natural light because New Orleans sunlight and shade can change how brick looks throughout the day. This helps avoid surprises once the wall is up.
How our brick masons actually build and repair
When we are building new brick work, the first thing our crew tackles is the base. For a freestanding brick wall or a set of brick steps, we pour a concrete footing sized for our soil conditions and flood risk. In lower lying parts of the city and in Jefferson Parish, that usually means going a little wider and deeper than you might see in drier climates, so the brickwork does not shift with seasonal moisture changes.
Once the footing has cured, we snap chalk lines and lay out the first course of brick completely dry. This dry layout lets us confirm bond pattern, opening locations, and how we are going to handle corners and transitions. Then we mix mortar to the correct consistency for the weather that day. On hot, sunny days, we use slightly wetter mortar and shade the work area so bricks do not suck the moisture out too quickly, which is a common problem here in summer.
During repairs, especially on older brick walls and chimneys, we carefully cut or chisel out damaged mortar joints instead of smearing new mortar over the top. This process, called repointing, lets us fully pack fresh mortar into the joint so it bonds well and keeps water out. We also remove any loose or cracked bricks individually and reset them with fresh mortar, aligning them to the surrounding work so the repair does not create a visible hump or dip. The goal is always structural integrity first, looks second, and we explain what we are doing as we go so you are never guessing.
Brick options, patterns, and details that work in New Orleans
New Orleans has a long history of using brick, so we try to honor that while still giving you choices. For many homeowners, the decision starts with whether they want a traditional red brick look similar to older Garden District buildings, or a softer, weathered look more common in Bywater and Mid City renovations. Superior Masonry New Orleans works with several local suppliers, which helps us track down regional brick blends and reclaimed brick when you want that authentic, slightly irregular appearance.
Beyond color, we talk about bond patterns and joints. Running bond (where each brick overlaps the one below) is the most common, but we can also do stack bond, Flemish bond, or basketweave for patios and walkways. Joint style may sound minor, but it changes both how the wall looks and how it sheds water. Tooled concave joints are excellent in our wet climate because they compress the mortar and help water roll off. Raked or recessed joints create more shadow lines, which looks great on accent walls, but we only recommend them in locations that are not constantly pounded by wind-driven rain.
We also pay attention to compatibility with nearby structures. For example, if you have stucco or siding above a brick veneer, we incorporate proper flashing and weep holes so moisture that gets behind the brick has a way out. In flood-prone areas, we sometimes recommend raised brick flower beds or lower walls that are built to allow drainage instead of trying to seal everything completely, since hydrostatic pressure during heavy rain can push on solid walls and create cracks over time.
What drives the cost of a brick mason in New Orleans
Brick masonry pricing is not one number for every project, so we try to explain the factors that matter in plain language. The first driver is access. A simple brick porch in front of a Lakeview home, where we can park close and stage materials, will cost less per square foot than a rear courtyard wall in a dense French Quarter lot where everything has to be moved by hand through narrow passages.
The second big factor is preparation and demolition. If we are removing failing brick or old CMU block, or if the existing foundation is not adequate, that adds labor and disposal costs. Many older New Orleans homes have settled over time, so we sometimes need to do minor leveling, extra rebar, or wider footings before we can lay a single brick.
Material choice matters too. Standard modern brick is usually more affordable and easier to match when you need future repairs. Reclaimed brick, hand-molded brick, or custom blends cost more and often require extra sorting on site because individual pieces can vary in size. Decorative patterns, arches, curved walls, and detailed steps require more layout and cutting time, which raises the labor portion of the price. During our estimate, Superior Masonry New Orleans breaks these items down so you can see exactly where your money is going and where we can adjust scope or design to meet your budget without sacrificing durability.
Common brick problems in our climate and how we handle them
New Orleans humidity, heat, and storm exposure cause specific issues for brickwork. One of the most common is mortar erosion and hairline cracking that lets moisture in. Over time, you may see white powder on the surface of your brick, called efflorescence, which is a sign that water is moving through the wall and bringing salts to the surface. When we inspect, we look for the source of moisture first, like missing sealant at windows, failed flashing, or downspouts dumping water against the wall.
We also frequently see step cracks in the mortar that follow the brick pattern, especially after nearby construction or minor settling. Our brick masons evaluate whether the crack is cosmetic or structural. Hairline cracks that are not moving can often be cleaned and repointed. Wider cracks, or cracks combined with bulging or leaning brickwork, sometimes need partial rebuilding with added reinforcement.
For chimneys and older free standing brick walls, we pay close attention to the cap and top courses, because these take the most abuse from rain and sun. If the brick surface is spalling (flaking off) or the cap is cracked, we recommend repair before pieces start falling and causing safety issues. In flood affected areas, we also check low courses of brick for signs of prolonged water exposure, like crumbling mortar or soft brick. When replacement is needed, we salvage as many original bricks as we can and blend in new units carefully so the repair does not stand out. Throughout all of this, Superior Masonry New Orleans focuses on long term solutions rather than quick cover ups, which helps your brick stand up to the next storm season and beyond.
