Masonry Carries the Load

One 8" CMU costing less than $1 can handle 205 Sumo Wrestlers weighing 500 lbs. each!

Pound Per Pound Masonry is 10X Cheaper

As steel prices increase over .24 cents per lb. ($481 per ton) and CMU remains stable at .02 cents per lb. it only makes sense to Design with Masonry! Loadbearing masonry is cost competitive even when steel prices are stable. (See our Cost Guide for detailed masonry pricing.)

3.5 D. Grout lift height—Where the following conditions are met, place grout lifts not exceeding 12.67 ft (3.86 m)

1. The masonry has cured for at least 4 hours.
2. The grout slump is maintained between 10 and 11 in. (254 and 279mm).
3. No intermediate reinforced bond beams are placed between the top and bottom of the pour height.

Install flashings AS REQUIRED
by the Michigan Building Code.

SILL FLASHING IS REQUIRED
BY THE MBC 2003

1405.3.2 Masonry. Flashing and weep holes shall be located in the first course of masonry above finished ground level above the foundation wall or slab; at the heads of windows, doors, and other wall openings; at window sills and at other points of support including structural floors, shelf angles, and lintels where anchored veneers are designed in accordance with section 1405.5. Flashing shall extend to, or beyond, the finished face of the wall.

Base flashing
Sill flashing
Head flashing

Masonry has been the material of choice for thousands of years
for a number of reasons. Masonry continues to:

Block the fire
Block the wind
Block the mold
Block the noise

The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and even the Little Pigs never built with metal studs.

psi won't lie

Type S mortar (min.1800 psi) together with a 1900 psi CMU provides a wall compressive strength of 1500 psi. Similarly Type N mortar (min. 750 psi) will provide a wall compressive strength of 1353 psi. Although Type S can produce mortar cube compressive strengths 1050 psi stronger than Type N, in the wall compressive strength difference is only 147 psi.

MIM suggest the mortar type selected be the weakest
that will satisfy structural requirements.