The Masons Guide to Natural Stone

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

It's Only Natural

Dan Kamys, Editor - dkamys@staging1.masonrymagazine.com

…for most mason contractors, that is. Branching out into other areas of work is a way for companies to grow and expand their business. After all, it only makes sense from the client’s perspective to have one crew on the jobsite. My wife and I recently went through this with a home renovation I never hope to relive, but what kept us sane throughout the process was that we only had one point of contact handling all the work. One crew took care of plumbing, tile work, flooring, carpet, and electrical. The same concept applies to mason contractors, who otherwise wouldn't be bidding on jobs like natural stone. Many times when completing a brick or block job, that's the extent of things for masonry companies. However, a similar job that contractors could be bidding on is in the world of natural stone. At Masonry, we’re all about pushing the industry forward whether it comes to education, advocacy, and information. This is the first of what we hope to be many mini-magazines that accompany our full issue. The information in The Mason’s Guide To Natural Stone is meant to help inform and enlighten you on the possibilities that are out there. We thank Joe Alonso from the Washington National Cathedral, The MIA + BSI / Natural Stone Institute, Dean Marsico from Plymouth Quarries, and the Indiana Limestone Institute for their collaboration in putting together the insightful editorial pieces for you to enjoy. With this mini magazine just as much as the full Masonry, we are looking for your feedback. Internally, we have already discussed that this Natural Stone piece could become annual. Additionally, we have nailed down a few more areas of work that could warrant mini magazines. Please provide us your feedback, let us know if you’ve found this useful, and enjoy. Best, Dan   dsig
The Behind-the-Wall Secrets Every Mason Already Knows (But Some Ignore)
May 2026

You’ve been around long enough to know this already: stone doesn’t fail on the face; it fails behind the wall. You can lay the prettiest veneer in the county, but if the prep is junk, that wall’s gonna start telling on you after a couple of winters. Manu

Masonry Innovation in Action: Belden Brick’s Glazed Thin Brick Redefines Design Possibilities
May 2026

Masonry innovation is pivotal in shaping the built environment, and The Belden Brick Company is at the forefront of this evolution. Architects, designers, and contractors increasingly seek materials that marry high performance with bold aesthetics, and Be

Celebrating Craftsmanship and Country
May 2026

The 250th anniversary of the United States is more than a date. It is a reflection of centuries of progress, innovation, and determination. STABILA has chosen to mark this milestone with a product that mirrors those same qualities. The Patriot Series Maso

Rethinking Shelf Angle Design for High-Performance Masonry Walls
May 2026

If you've been around masonry construction long enough, you know the shelf angle is one of those details that’s easy to take for granted. It’s been used the same way for decades, set it at the slab edge, support the veneer, move on. But as building requir