Masonry Magazine November 2006 Page. 38
GREEN BUILDING
The most impressive green fact about masonry is that it lasts a long, long time and it requires almost no maintenance.
ing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and by reducing the possibility of mold growth. Masonry and brick incorporate design flexibility, durability and low maintenance, and its endless array of colors, shapes, textures and sizes set the standard for beauty and durability. It's a natural for today's new emphasis on sustainable design."
Beyond Bricks and Block
There are more aspects to masonry's potential for being green besides the obvious bricks and blocks. Some are buried deep within the structure, well out of sight but working hard for eco-friendliness. For example, Hohmann & Barnard offers a line of products for the construction of sustainable masonry structures including numerous anchor, reinforcement and flashing products that enable masonry walls to endure and perform as intended by the architect and owner. Their wire reinforcements and masonry wire ties are manufactured of steel fabricated from 99 percent post-industrial recycled material, and other products, such as Mortar Net, are also fabricated either entirely or substantially from recycled materials.
Still, the conversation on "green" usually comes back to the durability of masonry. As Travis said, "I think that the most impressive green fact about masonry is that it lasts a long, long time and it requires almost no maintenance. Masonry buildings are so long lasting that they often outlive their original use and are rehabbed into a second or even a third use.
"The thick, heavy walls of a masonry building give it inherent soundproofing," she noted. "When they want maximum sound rating between movie theaters in a multi-theater complex, they often use 12-inch concrete block walls, filling the core holes with sand. The heavy walls also give a masonry building 'heat capacity. If you live in a climate with 30-degree temperature swings daily (like Denver), these heavy walls mean that you do not need as much insulation in the walls. Here, a heavy wall with R-10 or R-12 insulation will match the performance of a stud wall with R-19 insulation. Better insulation capacity means lower heat bills."
Indeed, masonry and brick's unsurpassed life cycle, exceptional energy efficiency, natural ingredients, minimal waste and countless recycling options are just a few of the properties that make masonry and brick the superb sustainable materials they have been for thousands of years.
And, as Travis noted, "I forgot to mention - masonry buildings look totally cool!"
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