July 2009 Table of Contents

Words: Dan KamysTable of Contents

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

Smarter Time Tracking on the Jobsite: Introducing Geofence Notifications and Logging in CrewTracks
April 2026

For masonry contractors, time tracking is more than just a payroll task; it’s a key part of managing crews, understanding job costs, and keeping projects running smoothly. Yet many companies still struggle with one common challenge: making sure employees

Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.