Brick matching

Words: Jennifer MorrellWe are having our house painted this summer, so I’ll spend the next few weeks surrounded by color books and paint samples. I’m finding the entire process to be rather stressful. Matching our brick and mortar with the perfect paint and trim doesn’t seem like a big deal, until I consider the possibilities — both good and bad. It actually is a fairly important and permanent decision.

In the June issue of Masonry, we cover another type of brick matching — the really important type. Replacing bricks or matching existing bricks is a tricky task, to say the least. You can learn more about the science of brick matching.

Once you have the brick and mortar in place and looking great, you’ll want to clean it and keep it clean. We address choosing the correct pressure washer for the job as well as whether to clean the masonry yourself or hire it out.

Finally, we are providing to you an update on the “roadmap” for the Building Information Modeling for Masonry (BIM-M) initiative that the MCAA and several other organizations are focusing on and supporting.

We hope your summer has kicked off and promises blue skies and lots of masonry work — and skilled labor to help you get it done.
Outreach Outlook: Springing into Action – The Season of Growth
March 2026

There is a distinct shift in the air when March arrives. You can feel it on the job sites, and you can certainly feel it in the classrooms. As the winter chill begins to lift and the days are a little longer, the construction industry naturally wakes up f

Chairman's Message: Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start
March 2026

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things

GEN NXT: 2026 Skills Challenge Winners
March 2026

After another successful year of the Skills Challenge, the MCAA had the opportunity to speak with the three 1st Place winners of each skill level. Get to know their journeys, motivations, and the mindsets they have in order to compete in a national compet

2026 World of Concrete Recap
March 2026

The 2026 World of Concrete Convention marked another successful year for masonry. From the world-renowned Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions to the new innovative GEORGE AI class, we gained a lot of ground in pushing this indust