Chairman's Message: The Beauty of Efficient Efforts
March 2025

When a masonry jobsite is running smoothly, it’s a beautiful and inspiring demonstration of efficiency. Work flows without interruption, confusion, or hint of a delay. Each mason gets into a groove with zero waste of energy or muscle movement. Mortar i

Energy Benefit of Brick Used on Buildings
January 2025

PART 1 Item 1: Brick Veneer Cavity Wall Over Stud Framing There is a large contingent in the marketplace that will suggest that brick veneer over stud framing—the typical cavity wall construction (considered to be the “perfect wall”)—has little or no impa

Lightweight Concrete Masonry Block: Building Efficient Buildings Efficiently
January 2025

In the construction industry, masonry is a labor-intensive trade. Each day, masons handle thousands of concrete masonry unit (CMU) that form a building’s structure. Because normal weight (NWT) CMU weigh about 50 pounds (lbs), repetitive lifting can strain

Lean & Mean Cavity Wall Designs
January 2025

Creating Space. Two simple words that have been a leading topic of conversation in the building industry for years. Over time, we have seen a number of innovations in cladding materials. (mention of non-masonry materials - cladding) I remember when our op

Hands-on Learning at the University of Memphis
December 2024

One of the biggest technical challenges for architecture students is understanding how to draw proper wall sections, especially with rainscreen technology. After more than 15 years of teaching, I have found that when students build full scale, with real m

Vibing Masonry #2: Masonry for Sustainability & Energy Saving
November 2024

Welcome to the second installment of our “Vibing Masonry” series on the benefits and functionality of masonry in modern construction, with a focus on its environmental and sustainability advantages. The Environmental Case for Masonry Masonry is a sustain

cfiFOAM Continues Silver Membership in the 2025 Masonry Alliance Program
October 2024

he Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to announce that cfiFOAM will retain its Silver membership in the 2025 Masonry Alliance Program.

Energy Efficient Shelf Angles in Modern Construction
September 2024

The conversation around energy efficiency in buildings is multifaceted, requiring a holistic approach to achieve high-performance building envelopes. One often overlooked component in this discussion is the role of shelf angles used in supporting masonry

Mind The Gap: How Injection Foam is Changing the Insulation Game
May 2024

I recently stayed overnight in a 120-year-old converted warehouse to hotel in Minneapolis that was built with uninsulated clay brick walls. I was perfectly comfortable as it snowed outside, and I had even turned the hotel room’s heating system off.

Brick Veneer: Wall Ties and Adhesion
January 2024

Brick Veneer: Wall Ties and Adhesion

cfiFOAM Enters Silver Tier of Masonry Alliance Program
July 2023

cfiFOAM, a supplier of foam insulation products and equipment, has entered the Silver Tier in the Masonry Alliance Program. As part of this commitment, cfiFOAM becomes one of just 70 companies to receive unparalleled access to the $33 billion masonry

Masonry Advantages
January 2023

Masonry Advantages

Owens Corning And What To Look Forward To: Part Four
September 2022

Owens Corning And What To Look Forward To: Part Four

The Fechino Files: Looking at Ventilation from a Different Angle
September 2022

The Fechino Files: Looking at Ventilation from a Different Angle

Owens Corning And What To Look Forward To: Part Three
August 2022

Owens Corning And What To Look Forward To: Part Three

Owens Corning and What To Look Forward To: Part Two
August 2022

Owens Corning and What To Look Forward To: Part Two