Concrete Block Blog

Biden Administration to Invest Billions in Concrete Decarbonization

In March, the Biden Administration announced an investment of $6 billion aimed at addressing climate change through decarbonization and emissions reduction. The funds are part of the Biden administration’s Investing […]

Flood Damage and Interior Restoration: How do masonry and wood compare?

When it comes to flood damage and interior restoration, masonry and wood have significant differences. As a concrete product, masonry is naturally more resilient to water damage from flooding. It […]

Stay Safe and Prepared with CMU-Built Tornado and Storm Shelters

In 2023, more than 1,200 tornadoes were confirmed across the United States, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center. For people who live in tornado-prone areas, a storm-safe room specially constructed […]

Resilient Design with Concrete Masonry Keeps You Secure in Hurricane Season

June 1st marks the beginning of hurricane season. Vulnerable areas of the United States, from the Gulf Coast to Maine, brace themselves for potential impact until November 30th, when the […]

Going Green is Big Business in the Concrete & Concrete Products Industry

Some of the world’s most powerful people are working to make concrete and concrete products greener. According to a story by the Wall Street Journal, concrete production contributes 7% of global […]

Fires in Structures Under Construction

Local Fires in Structures Under Construction Deadly fires in structures under construction happen close to home more often than you think. Recently, a wooden apartment complex structure that was under […]

Two Case Studies on Insurance Pricing: Concrete/Masonry vs. Mass Timber Buildings

It’s no secret that insurance companies charge much higher rates to cover wood frame buildings than buildings made with masonry, concrete, or other non-combustible materials. In fact, they typically charge […]

CMU Checkoff Will Create New Value, “Make CMU Cool Again”

Concrete masonry units (CMU) are some of the most durable, cost-efficient, fire-safe and non-combustible building materials in the world. And a new program connecting block producers, contractors, consumers and other […]

Don’t Forget Hurricane Season is Here! Be Prepared!

Each year, families and businesses along America’s Atlantic coast brace for hurricane season. Between June 1 and November 30, conditions are right for generating these destructive storms— and as we’ve […]

Putting Profits Before Planet Earth: Why We Should All Be Concerned

The need to address climate change grows more urgent by the day. We must prioritize the use of climate-friendly and sustainable structural materials. Everything we do impacts the planet. And […]

Cost Savings Make Concrete Masonry Ideal for Demanding Building Applications

The construction marketplace has changed dramatically over the past few years, with wood being the framing choice for multi-family and other commercial construction mainly due to cost. The shortage and […]

Climate Resilience is the New Sustainability

As the world tackles climate change, it faces a seemingly intractable problem. Mitigating climate-disaster will require more resilient construction — and yet the building sector already comprises nearly 40 percent […]

Block Delivers Beauty and Durability: An Architectural Block Case Study

A combination of split face and ground face concrete block, supplied by Basalite Concrete Products, is helping Denver’s 2020 Lawrence stand up to the rigors of its urban environment— providing […]

In the Wake of the Storms – Demand Stronger Building Codes for Safer Communities

The tornado that tore through Mayfield, Kentucky caused untold devastation. Entire neighborhoods were blown apart by the extreme winds, and weeks later, survivors are still feeling traumatized. Marty Janes and […]

Reducing Carbon Emissions with the Cement & Industry Partners

Everything we do impacts the planet. And the responsibility to reduce a carbon footprint and make products and production as sustainable and resilient as possible falls to us all. Building […]

SCMA Provides Consumers Safer and Lower Cost Home Building Alternatives

The Masonry Framed Homes Initiative Homebuyers across the nation are up against one of the tightest housing markets in modern history with home prices up 25%+ over the past year. […]

SCMA Relaunches Concrete Masonry Framed Home Program

Shaver House Concrete Masonry Framed ConstructionCourtesy of NCMCA & Ryan Saver By James Cain, President of SCMA The SCMA is a true believer in learning from the past. In late 2021, […]

Wood Prices are Soaring!

Rethink Your Build Strategy with Concrete Masonry A new analysis by the National Association of Home Builders finds that the cost of lumber has soared by 130% since mid-April. At […]

Concrete Masonry Tornado Shelters “Safe Rooms” Save Lives

The weekend proved not only to be one of the toughest days in the fight against the coronavirus, but it also had a record number of tornadoes spanning from Texas […]

Schools Partnering with Brick Masons

Watch this video to see how schools are partnering with brick masons in North Carolina.

Why Concrete Masonry Is the Best Way to Save Lives & Property

Structures built from concrete masonry units (CMUs) not only help prevent fires because of their noncombustible nature, they are extremely effective in slowing or blocking the spread of flames in […]

Trending in New School Construction

Architects Chose Concrete Masonry to Deliver Modern, Secure and Welcoming Design When Charlotte-based Cort Architectural Group was chosen to design the Mountain View Elementary School in Morganton, NC, father-son team, […]

Building More Comfortable Buildings With Concrete Masonry

Thermal mass wall systems consisting of concrete masonry units (CMU) can help make buildings feel comfortable all year long. The Southeast Concrete Masonry Association knows there is some confusion around […]

Concrete Masonry Buys Time, Saves Lives In Case Of Fire

In structure fires, time is of the essence. Minutes count. Seconds count. Concrete masonry structures afford you significantly more seconds and minutes than wood-framed structures in a fire, giving occupants […]

NCMA Offering FREE Concrete Masonry Continuing Education for the Design Community

The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) is offering free online courses on the fundamentals of the concrete masonry industry. Free to architects, specifiers, engineers, and construction professionals – the courses […]

CONCRETE VS CEMENT

What Do You Mean It’s Not The Same? There is a misnomer around the world about the word use of concrete and cement. In defense of the layman the problem […]

Using Concrete Masonry Makes Sense, Saves Dollars

Using concrete masonry units in construction offers excellent value compared to wood and light gauge steel framing due to its low cost and superior performance. Walter Schneider III, professor of […]

Concrete Masonry Units Stand Up to Storms

With Hurricane Florence fresh in our minds, many people – residents, business owners and contractors – are thinking of how to best withstand the high winds of massive storms and […]

New IBC 2015

A REVOLUTIONARY change in structural concrete masonry went into effect in Virginia on September 4, 2018, and is already in effect in the Carolinas. What you need to know:– Increasing […]

Resisting Fire: A Compelling Reason To Build With Block

The fire-resistant qualities of concrete masonry units (block) are a significant factor for its use in buildings such as schools, retail establishments and commercial buildings. Block structures are inherently more […]

Concrete Masonry Visionary – Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright is arguably one of the most influential American architects in our history. Come hear about how he influenced architectural design and the use of concrete masonry during […]

Resilient High Performance

As we continue to see more frequent and more powerful natural and man-made disasters, the built environment must consider whether enough is being done to protect the health, safety and […]

TAKE ACTION – KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE FROM TALL WOOD BUILDINGS

The International Code Council soon will vote on proposed code changes that among other things would allow tall wood buildings to be built up to 18 stories, despite a lack […]

Building With Concrete Masonry Makes Savings Sense

Concrete Masonry construction, when considering energy savings and maintenance costs, may be a better value when compared to structures built with wood or light steel framing.The Southeast Concrete Masonry Association […]

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