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

Masonry Fireplace & Chimney Handbook

Words: Dan KamysOne of the most historic icons of masonry construction is the fireplace. Fireplaces have long been a great gathering place in the home for families. The masonry design for fireplaces goes beyond the standard details for walls, openings and parapets. The geometries of the fireplace are of utmost importance to the functionality. Built masonry fireplaces require skill in design and construction.

James E. Amrhein, S.E. was a great masonry engineer who was the Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of America (MIA) in California. He exemplified the skills necessary for masonry design, and shared his knowledge with the design community through numerous educational resources. One of the MIA’s key pieces of educational literature: the Masonry Fireplace and Chimney Handbook Second Edition (1995) and the Masonry Fireplace and Chimney Handbook Third Edition (2004). The handbook discusses the components of fireplaces that homeowners, designers, and construction professionals need to know.

Purchase the Masonry Fireplace and Chimney Handbook online.
 0
The Science of a Straight Line: Why Masonry’s Smallest Decisions Make the Biggest Differences
September 2026

There is a unique phenomenon in construction: the human eye can spot an out-of-plumb wall from 50 yards away across a crowded job site. We might not always be able to explain the exact mathematical deviation without a laser level, but our brains instantly

Shayne Sanders
Technical Talks
Read More
The Utah Masonry Council's Masonry Education Day
September 2026

The 2026 Masonry Education Day at Interstate Brick in West Jordan is bringing together members of Utah’s architecture, engineering, and construction community for a day focused on education, technical understanding, and workforce development. The event r

Cassie Mejia
Industry News
Read More
MCAA Upstate New York: Regaining Market Share Through Education
September 2026

The Upstate New York chapter of the MCAA was established in 2014 by a dedicated group of both union and non-union masonry contractors, producers, and suppliers who shared concerns about the declining use of masonry. T

Brett Sherman
Resources
Read More
GEN NXT: Luis Sontay
September 2026

For this month, the MCAA got to sit down with aspiring mason Luis Sontay. From taking an interest in masonry as a kid to placing 1st in a postsecondary competition, Luis’ dedication and passion for the trade is clear. Luis describes his early passion fo

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More