Masonry Construction articles from March 2006

Masonry Construction archives from March 2006

Getting the right impressions.(editor's note)(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... Las Vegas is a town built on impressions. From its glitzy resorts to the fabulous evening shows, visitors are transformed into believing that they are part of the tapestry. We are drawn to visit based on the impression that the Las Vegas...

Acme opens Brick showroom.(brickbats)(Acme Brick Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Acme Brick is celebrating the company's 114th year in dramatic fashion by consolidating its Dallas and Fort Worth showrooms into one expansive new facility. The 3800-square-foot showroom and 12,500-square-foot masonry garden will make the brick...

Professors' workshop planned for Portland.(brickbats)
March 1, 2006... The 18th University Professors' Masonry Workshop, scheduled for March 26 - 28 at Portland State University, Portland, Ore., will provide the resources and background needed to effectively teach masonry design and construction classes at the...

Why are construction careers rewarding?(brickbats)
March 1, 2006... The National Building Museum's Careers in Construction Expo on April 5 in Washington, D.C., will introduce middle and high school students to the skills needed and training available for a variety of rewarding careers in the construction...

Masonry Heater Association plans annual meeting.(brickbats)(Public notice)
March 1, 2006... Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, N.C., will host the 2006 annual meeting of the Masonry Heater Association (MHA). The event is scheduled for April 13-20. The program includes four outdoor workshops and another four talks, seminars,...

Gehl forms racing partnership.(brickbats)(Rahal Letterman Racing)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Gehl Co., a West Bend, Wis.-based manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment, has formed a marketing and promotional partnership for the 2006 racing season with Rahal Letterman Racing, a leading North American open-wheel team. Gehl...

Hanson donates Brick to Habitat project.(brickbats)(Hanson Brick)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Hanson Brick donated thousands of brick to build 40 Habitat for Humanity homes in Scarborough, Ontario. The Melvin Woods community project consists of several multifamily "superstructures" with each containing five or six units. The homes are...

Earth sciences building grounded in stone.(usage of granites in quarry)
March 1, 2006... A gothic-style exterior of granite and limestone belies the state-of-the-art scientific facilities housed within the Earth and Planetary Sciences Building at Washington University, St. Louis. Like seven other projects Leonard Masonry has...

Nothing beats hands-on: Texas teacher stresses importance of teamwork.(education)
March 1, 2006... Victor Santillan came to masonry naturally, learning the trade from his father and working with him for many years. Conversely, he came to masonry instruction the round about way. During an economic downturn in the early 1980s, Santillan...

Freeze/thaw likely culprit.(troubleshooting)
March 1, 2006... Q My company is having a problem with the brick parapet walls of our office building in Detroit, which was built in 1975. Over the years, the brick developed a network of cracks on the surface, primarily in the first few feet below the coping....

Autoclaved aerated concrete: product offers tremendous business opportunities for the masonry contractor.(light weight concrete, a boon for masons)
March 1, 2006... Autoclaved aerated concrete was patented for manufacturing in 1924 and has become a common building material in Europe and Asia. There are more than 300 AAC manufacturing facilities on six continents. Unfortunately, many architects,...

Investigating cement-based building materials.(base for concrete constuction)
March 1, 2006... During the 2006 Concrete Technologies Tour, "Building With Concrete: The Basics and Beyond," attendees will see first-hand how many of the cement-based building materials are produced. From June 11-13 in Phoenix, Ariz., interested builders can...

Masonry showcase: Las Vegas hosting MCAA's annual meeting, show, and conference.(Mason Contractors Association of America)
March 1, 2006... The Mason Contractors Association of America is heading to the country's most exciting city--Las Vegas--for its annual gathering on March 29-31. The Masonry Showcase at Construct America is co-located with the Construction Specifications...

Using and installing stone: follow these guidelines and the application should weather the test of time.(mixing mortar in a right quantity)
March 1, 2006... Manufactured stone has been around for several decades, but in recent years the cement-based material has come of age, both in terms of technology and in its warm reception by residential designers and builders. Dave Hall, owner of the...

Step-by-step installation tips.(stone)
March 1, 2006... 1. Around the Bend Most manufactured stone packages include L-shaped pieces that wrap around outside corners. One leg of the stone is typically shorter, allowing an alternating pattern up the wall. The most important preparation detail is...

Applying stone over various substrates: when applying cementitious stone to home exteriors, the process varies slightly, depending on the framing system.(stone)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Over gypsum (interior walls) Longtime pros like mason Dave Hall note that interior veneer stone is not required over metal lath, but uses the lath as a rule, the same way he would on an exterior. Simply overlap the lath by at least 2...

Project of the year.
March 1, 2006... Outstanding examples of masonry construction deserve to be honored and publicized throughout the industry. Performing this task recognizes top-quality design and craftsmanship and inspires excellence among others in the profession. MASONRY...

Trowel available in four sizes.(Trowels)
March 1, 2006... The Magic trowel splays viscous materials smoothly and evenly without leaving lines. The tool works with cementitious overlays, particularly those of a more fluid consistency, and is available in four sizes: 12, 14, 18, and 22 inches. *...

Trowels feel broken in.(Trowels)
March 1, 2006... Tres XXX finishing trowels feature high-carbon spring steel, with a solid aluminum shank heat-treated for hardness. The tool uses a unique riveting process and is ground for maximum straightness. The soft touch or wood handles add to that...

Contractor tip.(Workers Compensation)
March 1, 2006... Safety is an Asset to Improve your Bottom Line How much are you spending annually on OSHA fines, lost-time workdays, and Workers Compensation? Would implementing a company wide safety program & giving your employees an additional incentive...

Brick tool includes comfortable handles.(Trowels)
March 1, 2006... Narrow London, Wide London, and Philadelphia pattern brick towels feature a handle with a soft outer cover to increase user comfort and a hard tapping end for leveling brick and block. The blades are made from one-piece forged steel that is...

Blades eliminate trowel marks.(Trowels)
March 1, 2006... PermaShape finishing trowels come in two styles: Broken-in and Flat. The Broken-in model works right out of the box, while the Flat is suited for trades that don't want such a curved shape. The blades help eliminate trowel marks, with beveled...

Lighten the work load.(Trowels)
March 1, 2006... The Ultralight trowel is a durable finishing tool that improves control without making the user tired. It features a patent-pending magnesium tang, secure blade mounting, and beveled ground edges. There are no through rivets to gouge the work...

Tool applies tinted plaster.(Trowels)
March 1, 2006... Venetian trowels apply multiple layers of tinted plaster to surfaces. The effect is beautiful depth and color that cannot be achieved by paint alone. The trowels come in three sizes with wood and rubber handles. * Rael Inc./Rhino Tools,...

System configures numerous ways.(Wall Bracing)
March 1, 2006... The Brace-Rite system provides a fast and economical way to support masonry walls. Made up of a number of components, including a pipe brace assembly, strongbacks, struts, and earth augers, the system can be combined four different ways to hold...

Product installs easily.(Wall Bracing)
March 1, 2006... The Adjust-It bracing system can be used for single-side use, as well as in a back-to-back arrangement, to support the construction of masonry walls. In single-side use, the product serves as a pipe brace, with above- or below-ground...

Bracing fights forces of backfilling.(Wall Bracing)
March 1, 2006... Much stronger than conventional lumber, the Footlock bracing system is an innovative new way to support below-grade foundation walls in residential construction against the forces and pressures of backfilling. This system is for use with poured...

System braces any wall height.(Wall Bracing)
March 1, 2006... The Panel Jack system allows users to straighten and plumb forms with just a twist of the telescope brace. With an extruded aluminum strongback, the system is lightweight, yet durable. With easy-to-install extensions, users can brace any height...

Braces available in wall and kick versions.(Wall Bracing)
March 1, 2006... Wall braces and kick braces are made of steel for long life, attach quickly, and fit snuggly against lumber. Available in straight or 45-degree angles, the wall braces are ideal for walls, columns, and beams. The kick braces, which are...

Shoring system eliminates laps.(Wall Bracing)
March 1, 2006... The HV shoring system features lightweight aluminum framing members that are easy and fast to install. The members interlock to eliminate cutting or lapping. A quick-release drophead typically allows removal of framing members one or two days...

The look of natural stone.(Products for the Pros showcase)
March 1, 2006... AFTEC's systems form fence walls offering the appearance of natural stone with the strength and durability of reinforced precast concrete. The forming system is an excellent business opportunity for the masonry contractor already having most of...

Fast masonry TCT saw blade.(Products for the Pros showcase)
March 1, 2006... With strong carbide teeth this reciprocating saw blade clay bricks and autoclaved aerated concrete blocks. The aggressive tooth setting makes it very fast and self-sharpening teeth prolongs the lifetime of this 17-3/4" long saw blade. With this...

Grout pumps.(Products for the Pros showcase)
March 1, 2006... Kenrich Products grout pumps are ideal for grouting metal door frames and for placing grout anywhere that high pressure is not required. Their lightweight design (19 to 32 pounds) allows you to take the pump to where you need the grout. One air...

Developing a schedule.(estimating)
March 1, 2006... The schedule of a project is normally determined by some sort of flow chart, which is simply an organized plan of dates and activities to complete the job. The chart provides a common language, with understandable reference points. Flow...