2016 Masonry Systems Guide, Northwest Edition released

Words: Jim ONealThe Masonry Institute of Washington has released the new Masonry Systems Guide Northwest Edition for 2016. This Masonry Systems Guide, a first-of-its-kind print guide and companion website, provides a standardized systems guide of best practices for masonry wall systems design and construction.

Each presentation focuses on the eight different masonry systems, CMU backup, veneers, adhered and structural, as well as wood and steel backups for each. Also included in the guide and the presentations are costing and budgeting information, thermal requirements and weatherproofing and specifications.

As you click through the website, you will find concise system guidelines addressing the key elements of the masonry envelope, including 2D and 3D details, installation processes, specifications, product resources and energy modeling. Each chapter contains information that will create a more educated design and construction process with more efficient schedules, and a standardized bidding approach for the installers. The systems guide includes recommendations and details, in downloadable format for both Revit and CAD, for air and water barriers; tie systems; thermal analysis; rainscreen technology; cost analysis; an Assembly Comparison Matrix as well as a Pricing Analysis.

The Masonry Systems Guide Northwest Edition is the Northwest masonry industry’s primary information resource on masonry systems and the first to address the challenges of energy code requirements for continuous installation. The website and the guide contain eight chapters outlining masonry systems, as well as a resource chapter for products appropriate for each system. The guide and the website are produced with support from the Northwest Masonry Institute, an umbrella organization including the masonry industry, general contractor representatives, and national suppliers and organizations.
Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Chairman’s Message: When Things Don’t Go as Planned
June 2026

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T

Marvelous Masonry: Borobudur
June 2026

For masonry contractors and suppliers, few structures offer as much practical insight as Borobudur. Built in the 9th century in Central Java, this massive stone monument remains as one of the most advanced examples of large-scale masonry construction ever

Wrapping Up Our Year And A Look Ahead
June 2026

It is amazing another year has gone by and what a year it has been. We have seen a lot of progress on so many fronts. All of this happens specifically due to the support of our members. Your support this past year is positioning our industry to make huge