July 2009 Table of Contents

Words: Dan KamysTable of Contents

July 2009 Volume 48, Number 7

FEATURES

Tools of the Trade An inside look at the eclectic range of bricklayer’s tools hitting the market

How BIM Affects Masonry Construction Building Information Modeling is the representation of building information in a computer-readable form. Masonry looks at the benefits of this building method. Understanding Air and Vapor Barriers With moisture-related problems in both new construction and older buildings equally prevalent in the news, there is no doubt that air and vapor barriers should be a well-used and understood tool in a designer’s bag of tricks. MasonrySystems.org Exploring a Web site that motivates customers to design their next buildings with total masonry construction

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS For the Record President's Message Government Affairs Making The Grade New Products Full Contact Project Management Business Building Playing It Safe News Classified Advertising

Color Trends Shaping Today’s Masonry Projects
July 2026

Homeowners today are coming into projects with a lot more opinions than they used to have. Between social media, home shows and contractor sites, most customers already have a look in mind before you even quote the job. For masonry contractors, having a

Chad Riley
Stone Savvy
MAP Partner
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The New Equation for Masonry Profit: Predictable Hardware and Proven Data
July 2026

The masonry industry is built on tradition, but modern growth requires a shift from guesswork to absolute certainty. When we talk about the philosophy that you cannot improve what you do not measure, we are looking at the literal minutes and manpower lost

Erin Koets Shayne Sanders
Build Smart
MAP Partner
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Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
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Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R

Corey Adams
Building More
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