The True Costs of Traditional Wood Bucks: Beyond the Lumber Bill
August 2025

Wood bucks have been holding up CMU block on masonry jobs for decades now, albeit precariously. This infamous lumber has been sawed, screwed, braced, and cursed more often than anyone would want to count. For something meant to be temporary, they have cle

Masonry Veneers: Designing for Flexibility, Versatility and Structural Integrity
August 2025

Masonry veneers have become a popular choice among residential and commercial builders alike. These versatile materials offer the authentic look and feel of quarried stone while delivering enhanced durability. By minimizing the risk of cracking and reduci

Achieving Realistic Looks with Manufactured Materials: Elevating Aesthetics in Modern Masonry Projects
August 2025

In the evolving landscape of masonry design and construction, contractors are increasingly called upon to marry tradition with innovation. Homeowners, architects, and developers demand materials that not only perform well but also look indistinguishably a

Westlake Royal Building Products™ Introduces Haint Blue Color for Royal® Reversible Beadboard/V-Groove Profile
August 2025

Westlake Royal Building Products™ (“Westlake Royal”), a Westlake company (NYSE: WLK), announced today the launch of Haint Blue, a new color for its 6” Reversible Beadboard/V-Groove Profile, part of the Royal® Trim & Mouldings line. Inspired by the century

Masonry in the Media: Amber Palace, Brandenburg Gate, & More
August 2025

The impressive masonry structures around the world make up the scenery in each of these films as they can transport the audience to the past or demonstrate the strength of timeless masonry to the viewer at home. Each structure adds to the stories they are

Building With Feeling: Emotional Design in Masonry and Construction
July 2025

Today’s homes, workplaces and outdoor spaces aren’t just made to look good or work well; they’re built to evoke a feeling. Whether it’s the welcoming curve of a brick

Built to Entertain: A Mason’s Role in Crafting Custom Home Bars
July 2025

Summer is here, and backyard gatherings are officially back on the calendar. It’s the time when homeowners want to bring entertaining experiences to the home with dedicated spaces that are both custom and high-end

Bonding with Masonry 2025 Q2
July 2025

This issue’s questions come from an Architect and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk. Q. An Architect asks about anchoring coping stones on a cavity wall with brick veneer and CMU backu

The Enduring Power of Structural Masonry
July 2025

Masonry has been holding its ground for millennia — literally. And thanks to the simple brilliance of arching action, it continues to do so with strength, style, and surprising efficiency. In an era of advanced modeling and fast-moving schedules, one time

Masonry in the Media: Taj Mahal, Arc de Triomphe, & More
July 2025

The settings of films can take on a character of their own and enhance the audience’s viewing experience. In these four examples, the audience can see a symbol of undying love in the Taj Mahal or feel the intense weight of the stone fortress-like hotel of

Marvelous Masonry: Belém Tower
July 2025

The Belém Tower in Lisbon, Portugal, stands as a testament to stone construction's enduring artistry and technical prowess. Erected between 1514 and 1519, this iconic structure served as a defensive bastion at the mouth of the Tagus River and as a ceremon

Case Study: Aqueduct of Segovia
June 2025

For over two millennia, the Aqueduct of Segovia has stood as a testament to the enduring strength and precision of ancient masonry. Built by the Romans around the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Domitian, this monumental structure continues to

Architectural Impact: Elevate Exteriors and Interiors with Manufactured Stone Veneer
June 2025

Cultured Stone’s Hewn Stone in Arctic Whether indoors or out, the right material choice can take an ordinary space and turn it into something extraordinary. Manufactured stone veneer (MSV) offers a powerful way to elevate home environments, translating t

Commercial vs. Residential Projects: Which Is Right For You
June 2025

As masonry contractors, we all face plenty of challenges - from the cost of maintaining safety standards to dealing with workforce issues. But one question has stayed constant throughout my 30+ years in the industry: Which is better - commercial or reside

Half-High Block and the Return of Beautiful Masonry
June 2025

Ranking the Role of CMU Concrete masonry has served as a trusted foundation in commercial construction for more than a century. Valued for its strength, versatility, and affordability, concrete masonry units (CMU) are used worldwide to build schools, pub

Marvelous Masonry: Beauvais Cathedral
June 2025

Beauvais Cathedral, located in northern France, stands as one of the most ambitious and instructive examples of Gothic architecture ever attempted. For masonry contractors and supp