Build the perfect stone wall

Words: Jeff FarmakesSPEC MIX® Building Stone Mortars are especially designed for stone masons building masonry walls with full depth stone units. Whether the specification calls for soft or hard stone, Building Stone Mortar mixes are engineered to match the specific properties of each stone to increase the mortar-to-stone bond strength while increasing the number of units your masons install every day.

Building Stone Mortar is available in standard gray and custom colored formulations that are completely preblended for optimal consistency, durability and increased jobsite efficiency–EVERY TIME!

Visit www.specmix.com to learn more.
Using Respirators for Silica Exposure
July 2025

Some in the masonry industry have expressed interest in respirator use as protection from harmful exposure to silica. This topic is of paramount importance due to its impact on our workers and the serious health effects of silica exposure. For those new t

From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu