Masonry Magazine August 1998 Page. 11
Masonry: An Enduring Material
Masonry is a time-tested building material that offers a unique combination of aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, and economic value. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from residential homes to large commercial structures, and even demanding exposures such as warehouses and schools. Leaving masonry exposed is also economical, a feature that appeals to both owners and designers. Eddie Jones, of Jones Studio in Phoenix Arizona, expresses it this way: "I think it is beautiful as an exposed material. Covering it is so redundant and so unnecessary and inefficient. Covering concrete masonry units with drywall, stucco, or even just paint creates a fragility about an otherwise strong material. All of those coverings will need to be maintained, but not the concrete masonry."
Designers' Perspective
Masonry is architecturally unlimited. From an architect's perspective, masonry's small module and broad palette of colors and textures provides seemingly endless aesthetic possibilities. Masonry works well on buildings from single family homes to large commercial structures. Features such as arches, radius walls, setbacks, and quoins are easily accomplished with masonry. Any number of architectural styles can be provided by the variety of unit sizes, shapes, textures and colors. Additional design options are available by combining different units in a single wall to add banding or overall patterns.
Rebecca Binder, principal, R. L. Binder, FAIA Architecture & Planning in Playa del Rey, California has become a big fan of masonry construction. "Concrete masonry's modular nature means it can take curves and be patterned. This allows for real design variety." In Binder's Pacific Townhouses project, she initially chose to use concrete masonry for very practical reasons-the strength and durability were required by the project constraints. However, the project proved to be a learning experience for Binder. "When the building was done, I started to understand that CM was indeed a structural material that has an inherent beauty and formality along with its functionality."
Focus on Construction
Masonry provides construction flexibility in addition to design flexibility. Last-minute design changes and corrections are easily accomplished in the field. Similar changes with other wall systems, particularly precast or tilt-up concrete, can be expensive. Changes in wall height or configuration can be accommodated even when construction is well underway.
Masonry's small module also makes it possible to work efficiently on virtually any building site. The site need not be large, flat, and open as with some other systems. Even the delivery of masonry materials to the jobsite can occur with few restrictions - the construction crew need not even be present. If delivered before it will be laid, the units can simply be stored until needed.
With masonry, construction begins as soon as the footings are in place. Masons and other trades can work simultaneously so that the building exterior and interior progress together.
Energy Efficient, Fire Resistant, and Noise Insulating
The combination of thermal mass and a variety of possible insulation options make masonry an energy efficient choice for today's buildings. Thermal mass, an inherent benefit of all masonry walls, slows heat transfer. Passive solar construction brought this property to the general public's attention in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In passive solar design, thermal mass is used to store the sun's energy for use in space heating. More commonly today, thermal mass is included in energy codes, so masonry buildings often require significantly less insulation than similar frame buildings, making it easier to meet the energy code and saving construction dollars.
Masonry walls can be insulated on the exterior, interior, or integrally. Integral insulation, placed in hollow unit cores or in the cavity of a cavity wall, allows the durable, beautiful masonry to remain exposed on both sides of the wall, a major advantage for many buildings, such as schools and warehouses. "Insulation is a concrete masonry advantage," states Burt Odom, EMJ Corporation, a general contractor in Dallas, Texas. "Interior insulation on tilt-up walls defeats the purpose of using concrete construction-durability on the interior. Tilt-up sandwich panels can be used, but we don't see them much due to the high cost."
Resistance to noise transmission and fire are also important benefits. Masonry walls can be designed to reduce transmitted noise (important in applications such as party walls between dwelling units), and to reduce reflected noise (important for auditoriums and some industrial applications). Transmitted noise is most effectively Continued on page 30
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING MADE EASY WITH TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE
Computer Illiterate? "I'll have you doing take-offs in 15 minutes" Guaranteed!
JUST POINT THE MOUSE ARROW & CLICK! DON'T FALL BEHIND AND LET YOUR MASONRY OPERATION BECOME OBSOLETE-COMPUTERIZE! In just 5 seconds you can click and drag Pre-designed Complicated Wall Take-off Assemblies to use in any of your new wall take-offs!
• Switch back & forth from Metric to Imperial at anytime while doing your take-offs or reports. See all of your numbers in either measurement. Generate and fax your proposals. 30 day money back guarantee!
• To operate this estimating program you don't need to know anything about a computer or typing! EVER! Very easy to understand and operate!
• Reduce your estimating time by up to 95% and without any mistakes! 1 estimator can do the work of several. Program does the take-off!
• Figure special wall shapes, like Slope, Gable or Step.
• Calculates CMU: Half & Full Bullnose, Double Bullnose, Sash for anv or all Openings, Jambs. Comers or Control Jts. Figures Masonry and Concrete take-offs!
Can Integrate with Project Cost and Digital Plan Measuring Systems, Video Demo available upon request. Windows 3.x/95 and NT Compatible Tradesmen's Software, Inc. For More Information: 1-800-494 4899 www.tradesman.com
MASONRY-JULY/AUGUST, 1998 11