Acme Brick, Tile and Stone: Florence

A detailed look at good residential brick construction techniques and why they are important as well as constructing brick veneer over wood studs. Topics include wood stud framing construction, air space, flashing and weeps, mixing and placing mortar, brick anchors, lintels and arches, support of brick, expansion joints, and cleaning. This program can help architects and builders improve construction quality and limit liability and call-backs.

• Learn proper grade to specify for wood studs by IRC code
• Learn stud spacing and bracing materials & methods
• Learn how braced wall lines should be constructed and spaced
• Recognize proper bricklaying techniques
• Know the importance of good mortar mixing and placing
• Understand how to propely drain the wall with flashing and weep systems
• Recognize the function of lintels and arches to span openings.
• Know proper installation of brick anchors, expansion joints, lintels and other details

An illustrated discussion of the construction and function of brick veneer expansion joints. Thermal and moisture responses of brick and other building materials can lead to differential movement. The difference between concrete masonry control joints and brick expansion joints is emphasized. Examples of cracks and other distress caused by incorrect expansion joint placement clearly illustrate the importance of proper joint placement. We conclude with practical guides and rules for where expansion joints should be placed in brick veneer.

• Learn how temperature and moisture change cause brick and other materials to move at different rates.
• Learn why we need expanion joins in brick veneer and control joints in other masonry.
• Learn where to place expansion joints for effective crack control, while retaining aesthetic symmetry.

Brick is a material that has been used for thousands of years and is a natural fit for today’s sustainable designs. Brick also looks ahead with surprisingly low embodied energy. Attendees will learn what features of brick fit in with sustainable design practices, including regional materials, very low construction waste, ease of recycling, zero emissions, and even considerable energy savings in a complete wall assembly.

• Learn how brick can fit in with sustainable design practices.
• Learn how brick masorny can contribute to LEED points.
• Learn about sustainability resources available from the brick and masonry industries.
• Learn how brick manufacturers are reducing energy use and greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Learn about changes in masonry due to reducing the carbon footprint.

Water penetration causes more damage to wall systems than any other factor. In this presentation we will learn to design wall systems with brick and other masonry veneers to build a redundant system to prevent water penetration.

• Learn how to build an effective air barrier.
• Learn where air barriers fail and how to prevent those failures.
• Understand the difference between drainage walls and “rain screen” walls and how they perform.
• Learn now to build an effective water management with adhered veneer systems.