Masonry Green Application 1

Key Lessons from Masonry In Masonry, we learned about: Materials and products from brick and CMU to mortars Tool and equipment use, safety, and maintenance Appropriate lines, leads, spacing scales, and bonds Correct wall, veneer wall, paving and other specialty item assemblies

Green Building Principles and Masonry Each of Masonry’s key lessons can shape these important green principles: Energy efficiency Durability and water management Green product selection Reduce material use and recycle waste Work with other trades Homeowner education and training manual

Energy Efficiency Masonry shapes the building envelope, which is critical in determining how much energy a home uses and how efficiently the home uses it. A green mason will help prevent breaks in the foundations and exterior walls through which air and energy will leak.

Energy Efficiency A mason can: Design and build a fireplace for performance in an energy efficient home Air seal the chimney to the building framing Design and build an airtight insulated crawl space

Durability and Water Management Masonry also shapes the amount of water and moisture the can enter a home. A green mason will properly flash and prepare weep holes and other water- mitigation actions to prevent moisture and long-term structural damage.

Durability and Water Management A mason can: Protect the basement or crawlspace from water and soil gasses Design and construct water-resistant brick walls and veneer walls Select and apply low VOC water repelling coatings

Green Product Selection The materials that a mason uses come in large quantities that can take heavily from natural resources like stone. A green mason will select materials that come from other uses, and tool cleaners that will not pose a health or environmental hazard.

Green Product Selection A mason can: Select cement, CMUs and bricks that use less energy to produce (like fly-ash based) Select masonry products made with recycled or industrial waste products Choose lightweight masonry products Choose masonry products made locally Select and install masonry products that increase the energy efficiency of the house

Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste Masonry is material-intensive, and oftentimes does not use the materials efficiently. A green mason can design and construct walls and other assemblies to make sure that there is minimal waste, and then recycle whatever waste there is.

Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste A mason can: Design with reasonable dimensions Locate windows and doors to minimize waste Store and handle materials carefully to avoid damage and waste Estimate materials accurately Integrate masonry waste into the jobsite-recycling program

Work with Other Trades A green mason must coordinate with other trades that might change the overall performance of the building. For example, the mason must know where the plumber will be laying pipe in order to ensure proper sealing around penetrations.

Homeowner Education and Training Manual A green mason is always ready to make sure that her work is maintained properly to last a long time. Masons can provide information to occupants about cleaning and resealing foundations, brick walls, and special assemblies like paving.

Referencing Masonry and the Green Application Masonry SectionRelevant Green Application Section Ch. 1-4, 8, 9: Brick Sizes, Bonds, Hand Tools, and Construction Equipment. Mortars, and CMU Green Product Selection Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste Ch : Foundations and Walls Durability and Water Management Ch : ChimneysEnergy Efficiency Ch 23, 25: Cleaning and SafetyHomeowner Education and Reference Manual