Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

MIA unveils new CEU course: “The Art of Specifying Natural Stone”

Words: Helen BouchardThe Marble Institute of America (MIA) announces that a new course has been added to the CEU program. “The Art of Specifying Natural Stone” was written by MIA Education Committee Chair, Rob Bacon (Daltile), and qualifies for CEU credit through AIA, IDCEC, LACES, and NKBA.

This one hour session is designed to give architects and designers an overview of how to specify natural stone. Many factors must be considered to ensure that the proper stone is selected for a project. Architects and designers must know about the species, color variations, and finish possibilities of the stone, as well as whether or not a quarry is capable of producing the sizes and quantities needed. “The Art of Specifying Natural Stone” also addresses factors that affect the price of stone and gives participants the resources necessary to help ensure the stone specified meets the standards and design intents set for the application.

Learning objectives for “The Art of Specifying Natural Stone” include:
  • Discuss the responsibilities and liabilities of each pillar in the typical construction project.
  • Review resources to find more information about natural stone standards.
  • Learn how to plan for the longevity of an installation by specifying appropriate materials.
  • Evaluate factors specific to the price of different materials, finishes and methods.
According to Sarah Gregg, CEU Administrator for MIA: “This course was developed because CEU program attendees have expressed a strong interest in a course about specifying natural stone. This new course will answer some of the most common questions about specifying and help participants better understand the topic.”

“The Art of Specifying Natural Stone” will be presented at TISE West (StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas) on Thursday, January 21, 2016. For more information about this course, and to learn more about the other courses offered by the MIA CEU program, please visit www.marble-institute.com/CEU.
 0
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

David Biggs
Bonding with Masonry
Read More
The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Read More
Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

MAP Partner
Read More
Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Lily Burger
Masonry in the Media
Read More