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We provide commercial brick masonry in Lansing, MI for offices, retail centers, schools, and multifamily projects. Our crews handle structural brick walls, veneers, and repairs with an emphasis on schedule, safety, and consistent workmanship.
Superior Masonry Lansing provides professional commercial brick masonry throughout Lansing, MI, Michigan and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (517) 289-4333 or request your free quote.
Commercial Brick Masonry for Lansing Businesses
Superior Masonry Lansing helps property managers, developers, and business owners across the Lansing area build and repair brick structures that last through Michigan winters and daily commercial use. Our commercial brick masonry services cover new construction, façade upgrades, structural repairs, and detailed restoration for storefronts, offices, schools, churches, industrial facilities, and multi family buildings.
Local conditions in Lansing affect how we build. Freeze thaw cycles, deicing salts from parking lots, and lake effect moisture all impact brick and mortar performance. We design every project around these realities, selecting the right brick type, density, and mortar blend so your walls resist spalling, cracking, and water intrusion for the long term.
From small entryway rebuilds in Old Town to full façade work on South Cedar Street, we coordinate with your operating schedule to limit interruptions to your tenants and customers. Safety, clean job sites, and clear communication are a priority, especially on active campuses and busy retail strips.
How We Plan and Execute Commercial Brick Projects
A successful commercial brick masonry project starts with careful assessment. One of our masons walks the property with you, reviewing drawings if available, and noting movement cracks, bowing walls, failing mortar joints, damaged lintels, and any water staining inside the structure. For larger buildings in downtown Lansing and near Michigan State, we often use lifts to inspect upper elevations closely.
Once we understand the structure and its load paths, we create a written scope of work. For new construction, this means confirming layout, bond patterns, control joint placement, wall ties, and flashing locations with your architect or engineer. For restoration, the scope may include selective brick removal, tooth in repairs, through wall flashing installation, and repointing schedules per elevation.
During construction, we set up scaffolding or mast climbers that meet commercial safety standards, then stage materials so walkways and entries remain as open as possible. Our crew checks plumb and level continuously, uses story poles for consistent coursing, and maintains tight joint thickness so brick lines remain clean even over long runs. For occupied buildings, we coordinate noisy work and access restrictions with your facility manager to keep operations running.
Material and Design Options for Commercial Brick Masonry
Commercial projects in Lansing often need to balance durability, branding, and existing neighborhood character. Superior Masonry Lansing sources a wide range of face brick, structural brick, and masonry accessories that handle Michigan weather while giving your property the look you want.
For exterior walls, we typically recommend medium to severe weather grade face brick with low absorption rates, especially for highly exposed north and west elevations that take the brunt of winter storms. Color ranges include classic reds and browns for older neighborhoods, lighter blends for modern office parks near the freeway, and custom accent bands that match your company colors.
Bond patterns can be simple running bond for cost control or more detailed options like Flemish patterns, soldier course headers over windows, and projecting brick details at cornices and entryways. We also install engineered brick veneer systems over existing block or framed walls when you want the look of full brick without major structural changes.
Accessories matter just as much as brick selection. We use corrosion resistant ties and anchors, stainless or galvanized steel lintels, and properly sized weep systems and flashings to keep moisture moving out of the wall. Where branding is important, we can incorporate cast stone logos, address markers, and contrasting brick panels that highlight your main entry or street facing signage.
Common Commercial Brick Issues in Lansing and How We Fix Them
Lansing properties experience specific problems related to our climate and construction history. Many mid century commercial buildings use brick over steel or CMU, and we frequently see rusted lintels above windows, cracked shelf angles, and deteriorated mortar joints where water has been trapped.
Freeze thaw damage is one of the biggest issues. When water enters small cracks and freezes, brick faces can pop off, known as spalling. We address this by removing loose or damaged units, installing new brick that matches size and color, and correcting the source of the water, often missing sealant, failed flashing, or clogged weeps.
Mortar failure is another common concern, especially on older buildings near downtown and in long strip malls. Instead of smearing surface mortar, we perform true repointing, which means raking out old joints to a proper depth, cleaning the joint, then packing new mortar that matches or improves on the original mix. This restores both appearance and structural integrity.
Where structural movement has occurred, such as bowing parapet walls or sagging brick above storefront windows, we collaborate with engineers when needed. Repairs may include installing new steel lintels, helical wall ties, relaying brick in stabilized lifts, and adding expansion joints so the wall can move slightly without cracking in the future.
What Affects Cost and Timeline for Commercial Brick Masonry
Companies often ask why commercial brick masonry pricing can vary so widely. The largest cost drivers are access, height, structural complexity, and matching requirements. A single story office façade with easy ground access along a straight sidewalk costs less per square foot than a tall mixed use building downtown that requires street permits, specialized lifts, and night or weekend work.
Material choices also matter. High end face brick, custom blends, or specialty shapes cost more than standard modular units, and long lasting stainless steel accessories add to up front cost but reduce long term maintenance. For restoration, the need to source matching brick or custom color mortar can influence price and lead time.
Labor intensity is another factor. True repointing, detailed soldier courses, corbeling, or decorative banding all take more time than simple flat walls. Weather in Lansing impacts timeline as well, since brickwork in freezing conditions requires heating and tenting or may need to pause for safety and quality.
To keep budgets clear, Superior Masonry Lansing provides line item estimates that separate access, materials, and labor. On phased projects, such as multi building campuses or apartment complexes, we can prioritize critical elevations first, then schedule less urgent work into future budget cycles.
How to Prepare and What to Expect When You Hire Superior Masonry Lansing
Good preparation keeps commercial brick masonry projects running smoothly. Before we begin, we review staging areas for brick pallets, sand, and mixers, and identify any sensitive landscaping, signage, or glass that needs protection. For busy businesses along major corridors like Saginaw or Pennsylvania Avenue, we help plan pedestrian reroutes and coordinate with property management on tenant notices.
During the work, you will have a single point of contact who updates you on progress, weather adjustments, and any unforeseen conditions inside the walls, such as hidden steel corrosion or rotted backup materials. When conditions change, we document them with photos and propose practical solutions that protect both your structure and your budget.
At the end of each day, our crew secures scaffolding, removes loose debris, and sweeps walkways so customers and employees can access the building safely. After completion, we rinse or gently clean brick surfaces as appropriate, confirm weep holes remain open, and review maintenance tips with your facility staff, such as how often to inspect sealants, where to watch for water staining, and when to schedule future joint maintenance.
Superior Masonry Lansing stands behind its commercial brick masonry work with written warranties that address both materials and workmanship. Our goal is that your building not only looks better when we leave but also performs better through many more Lansing winters.
