By: James Carlson, Senior Territory Manager – New York, Tando Composites 

Bay Shore, Long Island – The vibe in downtown Bay Shore, Long Island, NY, is heating up with new restaurants and shops cropping up in many of the older row buildings. One renovation project includes two buildings located near the town’s George S. King Park and gazebo on Main Street. The buildings are owned by local veterinarians, Doctors Carlos and Gilbert Cintron of Twins Veterinary Hospital, located around the corner, and are expected to house a Mediterranean cafe and Ramen Noodle Shop, with a rooftop deck facing the Great South Bay canal.

A hamlet of Islip, Bay Shore is among Long Island’s coastal towns experiencing a steady revival, especially around its walkable Main Street. With the marina and ferry to Fire Island nearby, the area attracts both locals and visitors looking for food, shopping, and charm. As more row buildings are updated, projects like this one are enhancing the neighborhood’s curb appeal while maintaining its historic character.

According to Chris Squires of CJS Building Services, the job scope included the building wall framing and exterior façade, while the interior will be done later by the tenants. He said the buildings are creating a buzz because the brick used on the knee wall and top exterior walls went up incredibly fast. The crew used a composite brick from Tando Composites called TandoStone® ProBrick®. The project used approximately 3,000 square feet of ProBrick for the 3-story buildings. An extension of the TandoStone product line, ProBrick offers the undeniable realism of brick, with outstanding durability, and fast, easy installation. 

Photo Courtesy: ProBrick (The building blends in well with the other brick buildings.)

Squires explained that ProBrick delivers greater value and affordability than traditional brick, with savings in jobsite time and efficiency – not to mention that it is installed like siding. 

“This worked out perfectly for the building owners and the neighborhood,” said Squires. “The TandoStone ProBrick is a real game-changer as a product that truly looks like brick but without the time, labor, mortar, and dry times.” 

Squires explained that after conducting a cost analysis, TandoStone ProBrick proved to be significantly faster to install. Additionally, he used his own siding crew instead of hiring a mason, which improved profit margins and simplified project management. Unlike traditional brick, ProBrick eliminates the need for over-ordering because it is virtually unbreakable during transport or installation.

Photo Courtesy: ProBrick (Modern design trends include a mixed material look, with composite brick shown as an accent, with white trim moulding and siding.)

“When you have the starter strip and panels placed, you get on a roll and just nail it in,” he said. “There’s no brick laying, mortar mixing and applying, or waiting for anything to dry. The time savings are real – three days vs. four to five weeks. It really adds up, and time is money.”

Squires’ crew also used PVC columns in white that offset the brick for a sharp, classic look. 

“Because we are in the center of town, people come up to us all day and ask about the job, including a union bricklayer, amazed at how fast it was going up by a siding crew,” said Squires. “I explained that it’s a composite brick that looks like the real thing, but installs in panels, with no mortar. He took a sample!”

Squires added that the crew loved it, and the owners are extremely happy that it came in on time and on budget without masonry delays.