Winning Masonry Projects With White Cement

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:
Calvert High School
Prince Frederick, MD

This York Building Products project used Rustic Face CMU which features a textured face block generated by blasting small pellets at the surface of the unit.

This York Building Products project used Rustic Face CMU, which features a textured face block generated by blasting small pellets at the surface of the unit. This “shot blasting” produces a final product that leaves the larger pieces of aggregate in place while the very fine sandy portion of the surface is removed. This effect provides a weathered, rustic appearance to a building envelope. These masonry units are manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes and come in 15 standard colors. Rustic Face masonry units conform to ASTM C90 standard specification for load-bearing units and can be used as a single-wythe wall or as a veneer. Like other CMUs, it is fire-resistant, thermally efficient, sound absorbing and offers a lifetime of beauty with very little maintenance required.

Block Manufacturer: York Building Products
Mason: Ka Ron Masonry
Architect: Smolen, Emr & Ilkovitch
Click here for details: http://www.lehighwhitecement.com/products/Pages/Masonry.aspx

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:
Riverside High School
Leesburg, VA

This York Building Products project used Gemstone Plus® filled and polished face units to provide the dramatic look and finish of terrazzo, all in the face of a colored architectural CMU.

This York Building Products project used Gemstone Plus® filled and polished face units to provide the dramatic look and finish of terrazzo, all in the face of a colored architectural CMU. The unit faces are ground to expose the beauty of the natural aggregates. Then, polymer-modified cementitious grout is used to fill the pores of the unit. Next, the unit faces are highly polished. Finally, a clear satin gloss, heat-polymerized acrylic is factory-applied to enhance the natural beauty of the aggregates and provides additional moisture resistance. Gemstone Plus units are designed to meet ASTM C 744 specifications for Prefaced Concrete and Calcium Silicate Masonry Units.

Block Manufacturer: York Building Products
Mason: The Christman Company
Architect: SHW Group
Click here for details: http://www.lehighwhitecement.com/products/Pages/Masonry.aspx

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET:
Lehigh White Masonry Cements

Lehigh White Masonry Cements Technical Data Sheet

Click here for further technical details on our white masonry cement, including mixing instructions, proportion requirements, selection of masonry type, concrete masonry units, and brick masonry.  http://www.lehighwhitecement.com/products/Pages/Masonry.aspx

Four Home Design Trends Driving Masonry Demand in 2026
July 2026

As design trends continue to evolve, one theme remains consistent throughout 2026: homeowners want spaces that feel intentional, comfortable and enduring. According to Westlake Royal Building Products’ TrendLine platform, today's most influential trends e

The Modern Masonry Saw: Safety, Efficiency, and Smarter Cutting
July 2026

Masonry is a craft built on precision, strength, and durability. At the heart of every successful masonry project is one essential tool: the masonry saw. As technology evolves, so does the role of the saw on the jobsite. Today’s contractors are not just l

Getting the Finish Right on Burnished CMU
July 2026

The wall is complete. The lines are crisp. The coursing is tight, and the burnished CMU delivers exactly the refined appearance the design team envisioned. After weeks of coordination and careful installation, the project is final

Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing