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

Vibing Masonry #10: Clay Brick Masonry Development from Ancient Roots to Future Innovation
February 2026

Clay brick, one of humanity’s oldest building materials, has shaped civilizations for millennia. Its inherent durability, versatility, and accessibility made it a basic component of architecture. The material's history is one of continuous technological i

Masonry in the Media: Fenway Park, Trim Castle, & More
February 2026

The settings of films influence the atmosphere of a scene and immerse the viewers in their movie-going experience. From Parisienne train stations to Boston baseball parks, these four masonry-made structures set the scene in the films they were featured in

2026 Masonry Hall Of Fame Nominations Are Open
February 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Masonry Hall of Fame, brought to you on behalf of the MCAA's Cornerstone Partners. Nominations will close on March 31, 2026.

Outreach Outlook: Celebrating CTE Month and the Madness of Masonry
February 2026

As we settle into February, the masonry industry turns its focus to a celebration that lies at the very heart of our mission: National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. For the Outreach & Education Division, this isn't just a date on the calen