December 2013 Table of Contents

Words: Dan KamysTable of Contents

FEATURES

Fireplaces & Chimneys Remodeling an indoor fireplace without replacing masonry really can be done, and the result can be natural, complex and permanent.

Building Envelopes & Wraps Knowing the Unknown: John H. Koester offers insights on the ‘Ostrich Syndrome.’ Scaffolding Scaffolding industry veteran Justin Breithaupt discusses the project “tough spot” of the elevator shaft.
masonry and construction information

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS From The Editor Chairman’s Message Government Affairs New Products Federal Construction Full Contact PM News


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Brick Staining Dos and Don'ts: Managing Modern and Historic Masonry Construction
September 2026

Every mason contractor has encountered it, or will. A replacement brick arrives from a different production run. A cast stone repair patch or perhaps a darker panel stands out against the surrounding installation. Mortar color varies unexpectedly. A clea

Gables Republic Square & Hotel ZaZa
September 2026

Gables Republic Square / Hotel ZaZa is a 24-story mixed-use boutique hotel and urban residential tower with street-level retail located on a 0.75-acre site in downtown Austin. Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. (CMS) was responsible for the supply and instal

The Science of a Straight Line: Why Masonry’s Smallest Decisions Make the Biggest Differences
September 2026

There is a unique phenomenon in construction: the human eye can spot an out-of-plumb wall from 50 yards away across a crowded job site. We might not always be able to explain the exact mathematical deviation without a laser level, but our brains instantly

The Utah Masonry Council's Masonry Education Day
September 2026

The 2026 Masonry Education Day at Interstate Brick in West Jordan is bringing together members of Utah’s architecture, engineering, and construction community for a day focused on education, technical understanding, and workforce development. The event r