KNOWLEDGE
HUB
FOR INSPIRATION, INFORMATION AND INSIGHT.
A Guide To Bespoke Stonemasonry Services
Welcome to the Knowledge Hub of A F Jones, a curated collection of insights, expertise, and guidance from the forefront of bespoke stone craftsmanship. This hub is designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for architects, interior designers, main contractors and private clients seeking to deepen their understanding of high-end stone projects. Here, you’ll find articles that span the entire lifecycle of stone work, from the initial design concepts and material selection to the intricacies of execution and maintenance. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, technical advice, or innovative solutions to complex challenges, the Knowledge Hub offers valuable content that enhances your projects and informs your decisions. Dive into our articles to explore the art and science of creating exceptional stone projects, read our Glossary for insight on key terminology, and discover how A F Jones can elevate the potential of your next project.
Discover the Best High-Quality Stone for Architectural Heritage Projects
Discover the Best High-Quality Stone for Architectural Heritage Projects Architectural heritage projects require careful consideration...
The Directors’ Cut: Holistic Stonemasonry
For the Directors' Cut this week, we get right to the heart of AFJ project managers’ motivation and outlook for stonemasonry projects in an...
The Directors’ Cut: Structural Use Of Natural Stone for Marlands
Ken Jones, one of our Directors at AF Jones gives an outline of the key project points for our recent natural stone piano room project at...
The Directors’ Cut: Woburn Abbey Green Parlour Natural Stone Staircase
A Natural Stone Staircase for Woburn Abbey: The Director's Cut showcases our Project Managers and Directors work on a project of their choice....
Time and Detail: Why these are two key factors when planning a heritage stonemasonry project
Steve Byrne, Master Mason and Senior Estimator at AF Jones outlines why working with new techniques and methods alongside old skills and...
Stone Sourcing and Selection: The number one question about stone as a natural product
Richard Thompson, our Design Lead and CAD Technician talks through one of the early stage issues for specifiers and architects to cover in...
Heritage Stonemasonry: Three aspects to consider when setting scope on heritage projects
Heritage Stonemasonry: establishing the broad scope of your project at an early stage is essential. Steve Byrne, Master Mason and estimator at...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: carved stone capitials
Stonemasonry in 30 objects.Week 21/30 – Capitals: This week’s object is one of the most iconic and well-known features of finished architecture...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A maquette
Stonemasonry in 30 objectsWeek 17/30 A MaquetteMaquettes have been used for centuries in Fine Art sculpting to visualise the finished product...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A router
Stonemasonry in 30 objects. 2/30 A router. It’s week two of the series and we’re homing in on the importance of technological advancements in...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A circular saw
Stonemasonry in 30 objectsWeek 14/30: Circular Saws – a primary cutting toolPrimary saws like these play a significant role in the AF Jones...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A ball finial
Stonemasonry in 30 objectsWeek 13/30: Ball finials – an iconic shape in stonemasonryLearning to cut this shape represents a rite of passage for...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A CNC wire saw
Stonemasonry in 30 objectsWeek 10/30: A CNC wire sawJanuary 2023 - a New Year and a new investment for AF Jones. At the end of last year we...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A Banker
Today is the first in a series of posts: Stonemasonry in 30 objects. We want to celebrate the old, the new, the technological and the...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A stone vacuum lifter
Stonemasonry in 30 objectsWeek 9/30: A stone vacuum lifterMuch of our work is with large contractors and with that scale of operation comes the...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A frig-bob saw
Stonemasonry in 30 objects.Week 22/30 – A frig-bob saw This is a single-handed stone saw, used during the 1800’s at quarries and workshop as a...
Stonemasonry in 30 Objects: A Pierced Panel in Hartham Park Bath Stone
Stonemasonry in 30 ObjectsWeek 20/30: This week, it’s a Pierced Panel worked in Hartham Park Bath Stone. Producing a pierced panel requires...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects – week 20/30: CNC Lathe
This week’s object is a CNC lathe. Computer-driven, the lathe at AF Jones is used to turn shape and detail on items such as a series of...
21st Century Stonemasonry – Arts, Crafts & Technology
The debate about the influence of increasing technology and mechanisation, and whether it detracts from the arts and crafts aspects of...
Some basics about British Limestones and Sandstones
The British Isles has a diverse geology with so many different stones available. An early map of the...
Cantilever Stone Staircases – How do they work?
A cantilever staircase is one where the solid stone steps (also known as treads) are embedded into a...
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