A time of change

Words: Karen HickeyI'm pleased to introduce myself as the new editor of Masonry magazine. This is an exciting time for me – a new beginning with a lot of changes.

The masonry industry is entirely new to me, so I have a lot to learn. I was fortunate to meet many people who work in masonry while I attended the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in February in Las Vegas. In any industry, the people are what drive progress and innovation. They are the backbone of the trade. The relationships between the people in these businesses are what really matter. My new relationships with the men and women in masonry will be something I'll work hard to build in the coming months and years.

Of course my knowledge of the terminology will also build as time passes, and I'll learn more details about the products and equipment used by masons. After all, I'm going to be learning from the experts! The March issue of Masonry covers some of the terminology and products I'm becoming familiar with: scaffolding, saws and saw blades, and also rehabs and restorations. We’re also covering the MCAA Annual Convention, which coincided with the World of Concrete exhibition.

We at Masonry magazine hope that this year has started off well for you, and that the changes in your life and business have been positive ones.

I look forward to working with and meeting many more of you!
The Behind-the-Wall Secrets Every Mason Already Knows (But Some Ignore)
May 2026

You’ve been around long enough to know this already: stone doesn’t fail on the face; it fails behind the wall. You can lay the prettiest veneer in the county, but if the prep is junk, that wall’s gonna start telling on you after a couple of winters. Manu

Rob McKay
Technical Talks
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Masonry Innovation in Action: Belden Brick’s Glazed Thin Brick Redefines Design Possibilities
May 2026

Masonry innovation is pivotal in shaping the built environment, and The Belden Brick Company is at the forefront of this evolution. Architects, designers, and contractors increasingly seek materials that marry high performance with bold aesthetics, and Be

Kristie Fitzgerald
MAP Partner
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Celebrating Craftsmanship and Country
May 2026

The 250th anniversary of the United States is more than a date. It is a reflection of centuries of progress, innovation, and determination. STABILA has chosen to mark this milestone with a product that mirrors those same qualities. The Patriot Series Maso

Elsa Bueno
MAP Partner
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Rethinking Shelf Angle Design for High-Performance Masonry Walls
May 2026

If you've been around masonry construction long enough, you know the shelf angle is one of those details that’s easy to take for granted. It’s been used the same way for decades, set it at the slab edge, support the veneer, move on. But as building requir

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
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