January 2015 Table of Contents

Words: Dan KamysTable of Contents

January 2015

Volume 54, Number 1 FEATURES BIM-M Building Information Modeling masonry

Air Barriers and Insulation

Mason contractors can experience long-term energy savings through cavity wall systems.

Education and Certifications

The tough new standards developed by the Natural Stone Council over a five-year period were released in late-June and promise to level the playing field between man’s oldest building material and other building components.

Software: BIM for Masonry

BIM-M will expand the use of masonry within the construction industry by promoting the development of tools that will help architects, engineers, manufacturers, masons, contractors and owners.

Technology: Humanoids and Bio Bricks

With a sharp decline in the number of young people learning the masonry trade, could robot prototypes fill the void?

Mast Climbers, Cranes and Telehanders

The mast climber industry has been working hard to update committee focus and standards development, always mindful of the increased potential for accidents in the period immediately following a recession.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

From The Editor Chairman’s Message Government Affairs Full Contact PM New Products Classified Advertising News

Lake Erie Brick Listing Highlights The Long-Term Value Of Well-Maintained Masonry
February 2026

A Cleveland.com “House of the Week” feature spotlights a 1932 brick home near Lake Erie with a $1.59 million asking price. For mason contractors, it is another reminder that brick exteriors can be a premium selling point, but only when the masonry is care

The Daily Digest
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Stone Cladding Panels Forecast Signals More Stone Veneer Work For US Mason Contractors
February 2026

A new IndexBox market update says demand for stone cladding panels is expected to accelerate through 2035, fueled by a broader construction upswing. For US mason contractors who install stone veneer, that points to more opportunity, but also more pressure

The Daily Digest
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New Cavity Fire Barrier Guidance Puts Masonry Wall Safety In The Spotlight
February 2026

A masonry trade group has launched a new Technical Committee and released its first guidance focused on cavity fire barriers. For mason contractors, it is a timely reminder that fire performance details in cavity wall construction deserve the same attenti

The Daily Digest
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The Practicality Behind Cavity Walls
February 2026

The construction industry tends to chase certainty. We want walls that never leak, materials that never move, and systems that behave the same in the field as they do on paper. Every generation pushes for a tighter envelope, a thinner assembly, or a smart

Technical Talks
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