A masonry fireplace is the centrepiece of a home. Built from brick, block, and stone rather than a prefabricated metal insert, a true masonry fireplace radiates heat long after the fire dies down and lasts for generations. Forte designs, builds, refaces, and restores masonry fireplaces across Ottawa.
Popular options our clients choose from:
We are committed to delivering quality Ottawa brick and stone work, from new installations to full masonry restoration, for Ottawa homes and commercial properties. Forte is a family-owned masonry company serving the area for over 20 years at highly competitive rates. In addition, our masons handle all related masonry repairs, parging, blockwork, chimneys, and fireplaces, so one accountable team maintains your entire exterior.
When it comes to ottawa brick and stone work, never compromise on quality and trust. Whether you need masonry restoration on an aging facade, cultured stone installation, a new masonry fireplace, or full stone enhancement for your exterior, working with experienced masonry contractors Ottawa homeowners recommend makes all the difference. Forte Masonry Contracting has served the region for more than 20 years, and fully trained masons carry out every project to the highest professional standard.
Stone is a living material. It expands, contracts, and weathers with every Ottawa season. Consequently, even the most solid stonework eventually shows wear: crumbling mortar joints, spalling faces, staining, and loose units. Our stone enhancement service covers the full spectrum, from restoring what you have to installing something entirely new. Furthermore, because we are a complete masonry company, the same team handles your brickwork repair , cement parging , and chimney masonry repair, one contractor, one standard, one warranty.
Not sure which material suits your project? As a general rule, natural stone wins on longevity and authenticity, while cultured stone wins on budget, weight, and installation speed. During your free assessment, we walk you through samples and give you an honest recommendation for your home and budget.
Natural stone is quarried rock such as limestone or granite. It offers maximum durability and can last for centuries. Cultured stone is a manufactured concrete product moulded to look like natural stone. It costs less, weighs far less, and installs faster, which makes it ideal for refacing walls and fireplaces. Both perform well in Ottawa when installed correctly.
Masonry restoration means returning stone or brickwork to sound condition using materials matched to the original. The process includes assessment, mortar matching, careful removal of damaged units, rebuilding, repointing, and cleaning. Restoration preserves the character of your home, whereas replacement erases it.
Most residential projects finish within one to two weeks. Small repointing jobs can take a day or two, while full facade or foundation restorations may run longer. We confirm the timeline in writing with your free quote, and we stay on schedule.
A masonry fireplace holds and radiates heat far longer, lasts for generations rather than 15 to 20 years, and adds more resale value. A prefabricated insert costs less upfront but cannot match the performance or permanence. If you have an existing masonry fireplace, restoring or refacing it is almost always worth more than replacing it with metal.
Yes. Freeze-thaw damage affects every masonry surface on your home, so we provide chimney masonry repair, brickwork repair, brick repointing, blockwork, and cement parging alongside stone enhancement. Visit our Chimney Restoration, Brick Work, and Cement Parging pages to see the full range.
Great masonry restoration is preservation, not patchwork. Here is how we approach every project:
Our masons set the new stone, then repoint and tool every joint to shed water, which determines how long the repair lasts.
We finish with a gentle clean and advise on sealing. Most stonework benefits from resealing every two to three years, a maintenance step most homeowners are never told about.
We inspect the stone, the mortar, and the structure behind them. Ottawa freeze-thaw cycles often cause damage that starts below the surface, so we diagnose the cause before quoting the fix.
We source stone and blend mortar to match the original in strength, color, and texture. Mismatched mortar is the most common failure we see in previous repairs, it is often too hard and cracks the surrounding stone.
We remove damaged units and failed joints by hand to protect the sound material around them.
Most residential stone restoration projects take one to two weeks, depending on scope. Moreover, if our assessment uncovers related issues, such as failed foundation parging or a deteriorating chimney, our Cement Parging and Chimney Restoration teams can quote the work in the same visit. That is the advantage of hiring full-service masonry Ottawa professionals instead of a single-trade crew.
Importantly, the fireplace and the chimney work as one system. A beautiful firebox connected to a deteriorating flue is a hazard. For that reason, every fireplace project includes a chimney inspection, and our Chimney Restoration team handles any chimney repair Ottawa homes need, from crown rebuilds to flue repairs and brick repointing on the stack.
Welcome to the most committed masonry service in Ottawa. We are family owned and operated and have been serving the Ottawa area for the past 20 years.
