December 2007 Table of Contents

Words: Dan Kamys

Masonry December 2007 FEATURES

Mortar for an Industry: The Natural Stone Council The Natural Stone Council joins us to discuss the organization, its initiatives, and the strides that they're making for the industry in the green building community.

Reinforcing an Industry: Anchors, Fasteners and Connectors Masonry relies on specialized connectors, anchors and fasteners to assure solid system construction and reliability. In this issue, we'll discuss some typical — and maybe not so typical — products available for use with brick, block and stone, as well as what mason contractors and their crews need to know about these products.

Benefits of Masonry Industry Software Technology is a fast-paced area that can give contractors who are "in the know" an extreme advantage. Whether in the office or out in the field, a software package is available to make tasks faster, safer and more productive.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS For the Record President's Message Government Affairs Making The Grade New Products BAC/IMI Apprentice Contest MIA Awards Business Building Full Contact Project Management Masonry News Classified Advertising

Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic