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

Restoring Structural Integrity: Reinforcement in Masonry Buildings
August 2026

Masonry, as most of us in the trade know and appreciate, remains one of the most durable and time-tested structural systems in the built environment. Structures built throughout Europe and other parts of the world demonstrate that a masonry building is mo

Designing High-Performance Masonry Envelopes: Selecting the Right Air Barrier System
August 2026

Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens