Manufactured concrete masonry units have been present in the construction marketplace for over 120 years. They are ubiquitous and are made in virtually every country on earth. The development of high-performance masonry units currently available across th

A building’s exterior design and material selection impact all aspects of the final product, from indoor air quality to overall energy efficiency. When design-build teams aim to achieve a more energy-efficient building, material selection is the most cruc

Heading to Spokane, WA, I found myself riding the airport tram at O’Hare in Chicago. Looking out the window at a part of the 26-year-old International Terminal 5, I spotted a painted structural steel beam in front of a concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall. Th

One of the many benefits of manufactured stone veneer is that it’s a robust, durable product that requires little maintenance over the course of its life span. In fact, its irregularity in shape and color helps hide minor dirt and dust. But like any build

Wood bucks have been holding up CMU block on masonry jobs for decades now, albeit precariously. This infamous lumber has been sawed, screwed, braced, and cursed more often than anyone would want to count. For something meant to be temporary, they have cle

Masonry veneers have become a popular choice among residential and commercial builders alike. These versatile materials offer the authentic look and feel of quarried stone while delivering enhanced durability. By minimizing the risk of cracking and reduci

Going back to around 7000 B.C., when the first bricks were made from a combination of mud and straw (highlighted because mud and straw are not part of the defined parameters of masonry) and then dried in the desert sun, the general process of how brick is

In the evolving landscape of masonry design and construction, contractors are increasingly called upon to marry tradition with innovation. Homeowners, architects, and developers demand materials that not only perform well but also look indistinguishably a

In modern architectural design, achieving superior sound insulation is essential for creating functional, comfortable, and compliant building environments. Concrete masonry units (CMUs), particularly when combined with materials like brick, terra cotta, o

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) are valued in construction for their exceptional fire resistance, stemming from their non-combustible composition and robust performance under high temperatures. This quality makes CMUs a preferred choice for fire-rated walls

My name is Jack Phillips, and I was born and raised in London. I have since moved to Yorkshire, where I live with my family. However, the majority of my work predominantly remains in London.

I look at a well-functioning estimating department and think, as I imagine most do, of the age-old question: "What came first – the chicken or the egg?" How do you know how much it costs to do a job before you do it? The truth is that pricing a job is an

When it comes to building a more sustainable future, the construction and building materials sector has a lot of room for growth. According to the most recent data, construction and building-related emissions are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emis

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

Central Avenue Elementary School is a project that the team here at Warfield Masonry completed in 2021. Located in Midland, Washington, the project involved the demolition and replacement of the original Central Avenue School built in 1949. The original e