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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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]