Burnaby Masonry Co. provides expert masonry restoration in 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 Vancouver regularly.
Masonry Restoration in Vancouver: what to know
Vancouver has some of the most significant heritage masonry stock in BC — Strathcona, Gastown, Mount Pleasant. We restore old brick and stone with matched lime mortar and period techniques so the character stays intact.
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 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.
Vancouver properties: what we see
Vancouver has the widest range of masonry in BC. The East Side — Strathcona, Grandview-Woodland, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive — is dense with pre-1940 wood-frame homes built with soft lime-mortar brick chimneys, and the original brick on many of them has never been touched since it was laid. The West Side runs toward post-war concrete block and newer stone veneer on high-end renovations. Kitsilano has a large number of heritage character homes where sympathetic repair is the brief. Point Grey and Shaughnessy have custom homes where the standard for stone and brick work is higher than almost anywhere else in the region.
We work throughout Vancouver — including Strathcona, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive — 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 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 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.
