December 2014: From the Editor

Words: Dan KamysDecember 2014 From the Editor

I’m a Believer

Jennifer Morrell

A few years back, we began hearing talk of masonry wall systems. A system? Many components working together? It was a provocative concept, to be sure. I have walked many trade show floors and viewed many models and demonstrations of masonry wall systems. It seems a viable product that our industry should embrace.

Flash forward to today, when most of the major players are either producing a masonry cavity wall system or partnering with other companies to create a complete offering. And, the idea is going over well with mason contractors.

“I am in favor of a mandatory complete cavity wall system to be implemented by the design population,” says Gary Joyner, president of North Carolina-based Joyner Masonry Works Inc. “In other words, spec it.”

Green Build 2014

Joyner says he feels a wall system will be helpful toward long-term moisture management. He also finds it more convenient to have all of the components of the masonry wall offered by one company: “Then, you don’t have to be concerned with compatible materials,” he says.

One such cavity wall system is discussed in “The Building Envelope: Buzzword or Trend?” of this issue. Enjoy the read on what’s becoming an industry standard.

A happy and healthy holiday season to all of your from the Masonry team.

Return to Table of Contents

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior