Burnaby Masonry Co. provides expert masonry restoration in North Vancouver, BC. Heritage-sensitive restoration of old brick and stone using mortar that matches the original. Call us for a free quote — we're based in Burnaby and serve North Vancouver regularly.
Masonry Restoration in North Vancouver: what to know
North Vancouver has a selection of heritage and character homes, particularly around Lonsdale and the older neighbourhoods below the slopes, where lime mortar and heritage-sensitive techniques are required.
Masonry restoration brings old brick and stone back to life without erasing its character. We restore heritage and character homes across New Westminster, Vancouver, and Burnaby, matching original brick, stone, and mortar so the repair disappears. This is careful work. Old buildings were built with soft lime mortar and handmade brick, and using modern hard mortar on them does real damage. We use period-appropriate materials and techniques, so the wall stays sound and the building keeps the look that makes it worth saving.
What's included in our masonry restoration service
- Assessment of original brick, stone, and mortar type
- Lime mortar matched to colour, texture, and strength
- Careful raking and repointing that protects soft old brick
- Salvage and reuse of original masonry where possible
- Matched replacement brick and stone for missing pieces
- Gentle cleaning that won't damage the historic surface
- Structural repair of chimneys, foundations, and walls
- Heritage-sensitive detailing throughout
When North Vancouver homeowners call us for masonry restoration
A pre-1940 character home
Older homes in Queen's Park, Strathcona, and similar areas need restoration, not modern repair, to stay sound and keep their value.
Mortar that's powdering or washing out
Old lime mortar eventually fails. It needs replacing with matching lime mortar, not hard Portland mix that cracks the brick.
Previous repairs that did damage
Hard mortar or the wrong cleaning method on old brick causes spalling. We undo bad repairs and do them properly.
Heritage compliance
If your home has heritage status or guidelines, restoration has to match the original. That's exactly the work we do.
North Vancouver properties: what we see
North Vancouver's housing stock sits on the wet side of the Coast Mountains, meaning it gets more sustained rainfall and more freeze-thaw cycles than Vancouver itself. Lonsdale has older apartment brick and some heritage residential. Lynn Valley and Edgemont Village have post-war and mid-century homes with brick chimneys showing mortar deterioration. The newer developments in Seymour and upper Lynn Valley sit on slopes where retaining walls are essential. Deep Cove and the waterfront areas have custom homes where quality outdoor stonework is the norm.
We work throughout North Vancouver — including Lonsdale, Lynn Valley, Edgemont Village, Deep Cove — and we know how the terrain, housing stock, and climate vary across the city. Every quote reflects what we actually see on site.
How we do masonry restoration in North Vancouver
- 1
Study the original
We identify the original brick, stone, and mortar so the restoration matches what's already there.
- 2
Match the mortar
We mix lime mortar to match colour, sand, and strength, because soft old brick needs soft mortar to survive.
- 3
Repoint and repair
Old mortar comes out gently to protect the brick, then we repoint and replace damaged masonry with matched material.
- 4
Clean gently
We use the gentlest effective cleaning so we don't strip the patina or damage the surface.
- 5
Final review
We walk the work with you so you can see how the repair blends into the original.
Why choose Burnaby Masonry for masonry restoration in North Vancouver
Lime mortar done right
We understand the chemistry of old buildings. Soft brick gets soft mortar, full stop.
Invisible repairs
The goal is a repair you can't find. We match material and technique so the work blends in.
Respect for the building
We treat character homes like the assets they are, salvaging original material wherever we can.
Experience with Lower Mainland heritage stock
From New West's oldest brick to East Van character homes, we've worked on the buildings that define the area.
