Behind the booth: Cathedral Stone Products 

Cathedral Stone Products began not as a manufacturer, but as a mason’s pursuit of doing restoration the right way. Today, the company is known for its Jahn Mortars and a full range of masonry repair and preservation solutions used on historic and contemporary buildings alike. We spoke with Meg Rude, Director of Business Development, about craftsmanship, compatibility, and why masonry repair should always protect the original structure first. 

 

 

Q:  Tell us a bit about Cathedral Stone Products – what’s your story? 

  

Our name sometimes comes across as that of a stone supplier. Truth told, that’s how Cathedral Stone started. Our owner, Dennis Rude, is a stonecutter and master mason. Dennis cut stone for the National Cathedral in Washington DC, where he also ran the stone plant that supplied stone for the Cathedral. It would be years later that he discovered “the best repair mortar he ever used” in Holland – Jahn Mortars. And it would be years later again that he would begin manufacturing Jahn Mortars in the US. The Jahn Mortar manufacturing then grew to manufacturing masonry paints, cleaners, removers, water repellents – basically anything and everything necessary for the restoration and maintenance of masonry. 

 

  

Q: Tell us about how your materials help architects, designers, and builders bring their visions to life? 

  

While we support new construction, most of our work is in restoring and preserving historic masonry. Architects, engineers, and builders trust our products to perform, last, and do no harm to the original substrate. Our materials are designed to move and breathe like masonry and to be sacrificial. If something fails, it should be our repair, not the original structure. In harsh freeze/thaw and salt environments, Jahn Mortars have proven to last 40+ years. 

  

Q: What are some of the current trends you’re seeing in the use of stone and surfacing materials in commercial and residential projects? 

  

We focus on education. In masonry restoration, the goal should always be longevity and beauty. Fast and efficient matters, but not at the expense of the structure. Successful restoration requires two things: compatible products and expert craftsmanship. Remove either and the work will fail. We support this with multi-day certification programs for masons and hands-on training for architects, engineers, and specifiers throughout the year. 

 

  

Q: How do Cathedral Stone’s products help meet the demands of modern builds? 

  

This is our core strength. Proper masonry restoration depends on compatible products and expert craftsmanship. Compatibility centers on two key factors: permeability and compressive strength. Permeability allows masonry to breathe so moisture and salts can escape. Compressive strength must be lower than the masonry so repairs remain sacrificial. When materials match the natural performance of masonry, durability and sustainability follow. 

  

Q: What’s the plan for New York Build this year? 

  

We’re excited about this year’s show. We’re bringing live demonstrations to the booth. Our New York technical specialists will demonstrate mortar repair, potassium silicate coatings for terra cotta, and several cleaning systems. Live demos give visitors a better understanding than video. We’ll also have samples of our newest cleaner, Public Touch, available for attendees.