Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
August 2009

Brick Voids

President’s Message

By

There has been much talk as of late regarding the potential change of what has traditionally been known as a C-216 standard brick.

Currently, there is a proposal to change the standard void size of the standard brick. The new void size could be up to 30 percent, versus 25 percent. This is a 5 percent increase in void size. Ironically, there is already an ASTM standard that covers a 30 percent void size: ASTM C-652. While this issue may seem like a relatively minor one, contractors need to be very concerned about this issue and aware of how it may impact them.

A 5 percent increase in void size has seen some projects realize a substantial increase in mortar costs. These costs are either absorbed by the contractor or passed on to the end-user. Either way, it adds cost to the project, which makes masonry less competitive. Given the fact that there is no decrease in face shell, there are concerns of increased cracks, chips and broken bricks. There also are serious concerns about an increase in water penetration. In freeze-thaw areas of the country, long-term performance of brick can be impacted due to the change. There are also concerns about code compliance and industry confusion over such a change.

There is a proposal to change the standard void size of the standard brick. Photo by Jenkins Custom Photography, Ltd.
There is a proposal to change the standard void size of the standard brick. Photo by Jenkins Custom Photography, Ltd.

What can be done to help prevent this from happening? Contact the MCAA today, and become a member of ASTM, so your company has a vote on the issue. The fee for ASTM is only $75, and you’ll receive a free set of standards. Most important, you will have a vote on this as well as other issues. You need to make sure you become a member of the appropriate committees in order to vote, so please contact the MCAA today for more information. It would probably help, as well, if you asked your brick supplier where they stand on the issue. You are the customer, and you need to share your thoughts and concerns about this issue with them.

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The MCAA is one of the most beneficial memberships that we have.”

Addison Kalish
Kalish Masonry, LLC
MCAA member since 2021

Learn More