November/December 2008: Table of Contents

Features

Materials
Throwing Your Money Away?
Exposing the cost of landmark demolition
By Gretchen K. Pfaehler

Materials
Mortar Meets the Challenge
Mortar has been used for thousands of years. Over the centuries, the formulas have changed, and we aren’t done yet as the proliferation of new masonry products provide new challenges.
By Tom Inglesby

Design Trend
Award-Winning Hardscape Design
Highlights from 2008 BIA’s Brick In Architecture Awards Competition
By the Brick Industry Association

Materials
Alphabet Soup and the Cast Stone Institute
Developing new standards for plant certification
By Gary Fry

columns & departments

Letter from the Publisher
Letter from the Editor
Minimizing Masonry Litigation
Industry News
New Products
Masonry International

Save

Holding History Together: The Art of Lateral Restraint in Masonry Restoration

January 2026

The first thing you notice about an old masonry building isn’t always its beauty. Sometimes it’s the bow in a wall or the way time and the elements have tugged at the mortar joints. Every century-old structure carries its story in cracks, tilts, bows, and

Tiffany Tillema

Technical Talks

Stone Savvy: Helping Clients Choose Stone with Intent

January 2026

In today’s design environment, clients are surrounded by inspiration, endless images, samples, and styles that make choosing materials feel exciting and overwhelming all at once. Within that sea of options, stone carries weight. It defines first impressio

Sarah Lograsso

MAP Partner

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 36 Recap: Kim Spahn, CEO of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff

January 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Justin got to sit down for a conversation with Kim Spahn to talk about the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, how Kim first got involved in this industry, and much more.

Justin Stengel

The MASONRY STRONG Podcast

From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors

January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara

Business Management

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