Masonry is the process of constructing structures out of separate components that are laid and held together with mortar. The most frequent materials used in masonry building are brick, stone, and concrete blocks. Masonry is a popular building style all over the world due to its numerous benefits. It is durable, energy-efficient, affordable, and easy to maintain. Masonry buildings can be constructed using modern materials or traditional methods. Traditional masonry techniques include use of hand tools and labor-intensive processes. Modern masonry uses power tools and factory procedures for labor-intensive tasks. In general, traditional masonry builds are larger and more expensive than their modern counterparts. Modern masons may choose to work with traditional materials because of this difference in size. The main types of masonry are: brick, block, and stone. Brick is made from clay bricks molded and dried in a kiln before being baked again in a furnace. Brick walls are an economical choice for small projects but are difficult to work with if you want to add on to your house later. They require constant maintenance to keep them clean of insects and other contaminants. Block is the material that makes up most of a masonry wall. It can be made out of many different kinds of rock, such as granite, limestone, or sandstone, but they are usually left natural looking. The rock itself has symbolic meaning for some people.