Choosing the right finish and colours for a project is important as the choices determine the tone for the area and can determine the success of the project. To take the risk out of the designing process, the team at Baines Masonry have put together some tips, and have also developed online tools to aid in the designing and specification of your project.

Matching a colour can be difficult, especially if there has been time between stages of the project, as there is often a variance in colour between batches of manufacture and different brands. Instead of matching colours opt for a different shade, lighter or darker, which will complement the existing design and create a cohesive look.

A neutral shade can be a safe choice as they blend well with a wide colour palette and also provide flexibility for future changes.Another alternative is to pull out accent colours. For example, use one of the less dominant colours from stone or block. This will emphasize particular colours within the stone which may have otherwise not been noticeable.

Try using different textures in your design which can create a point of differentiation. Blocks can have a stone finish, rough split face, smooth, polished and honed surface. For example, to create an interesting point in the design of a smooth wall, a row of split face blocks can be run along the second course of blocks. This can make an otherwise plan wall look striking.

The online designer tools, developed by Baines Masonry, are available to help you design your next project. The Masonry Designer Software allows you to select your colour, block and layout, and then produces an electronic visual of your projects. The possibilities are endless, as you can mix colours and block types while creating numerous examples. The team at Baines Masonry understand that making a decision is hard when you’re not sure of the outcome. This program takes the risk out of your design choices. 

Baines Masonry have also developed a new Fire & Acoustic Calculator which is a simple tool that takes the guesswork out of specification and gives builders, designers and contractors the peace of mind that they are able to comply with industry requirements and significantly reducing their exposure to liability.

For more information on the types of blocks available from Baines Masonry, the online tools or to talk to an expert, click here.