Spring 2015: Table of Contents

Words: Dan Kamys



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Spring 2015:

Table of Contents

features

Materials
Brick: An Old Way to a Better Tomorrow
Since early mankind moved out of caves and into communities, brick was a desired construction material. With readily available raw materials, a simple manufacturing process, and durable and sustainable results, brick’s continued prominence is easy to understand.
By Chris Hines

Project Spotlight
Workhorse Rally
The Village of La Grange has a long-standing tradition of preserving its past, including its beloved Stone Avenue Train Station, which recently underwent a vital restoration.
By Marc Rohde and Douglas Ogurek

Materials
Masonry Flashing
Flashings remain a critical component of any cavity wall system, diverting moisture outward as it collects in the cavity space to the exterior of the façade through the weep openings. A failure in this arrangement can ultimately lead to degradation of wall components.
By Jeremy S. Douglas CSI, CCPR

Restoration
A Timely Renaissance
For nearly a century, throngs of area residents of Waltham, Mass., made their way to work in the iconic 1854 factory of the Waltham Watch Company along the Charles River. Today, the factory is enjoying a second life, thriving once again through a mixed-use renaissance that provides innovative living and working spaces in its restored and renovated buildings.
By Henry Moss, AIA, LEED

Materials
Stone 101
What every member of a project team must know before, during, and after installation of natural stone.
By Mike Buechel

columns & departments

Letter from the Editor
Supplies

Five Truths About Final Brick Cleandown
May 2026

Not all truths are self-evident. Sometimes they’re easy to forget or clouded with misunderstanding. The good news is these truths of final cleandown are not hard to implement on your next project to ensure successfully cleaned and beautiful new brick.

Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

The Mason’s Mark: Defining the Craft Through the Trowel
May 2026

Walk onto any job site, from a custom residential chimney to a sprawling commercial block wall, and you will hear it before you see it: the distinctive ring of high-carbon steel striking masonry. The trowel is more than just a mortar scoop; it is the cond

Registration Now Open for the 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Texas
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting event is scheduled from September 13th-1