Masonry Frequently Asked Questions

Information on careers in masonry and where to begin.

Question

Does masonry construction cost more than conventional wood frame construction?

Answer

If you compare the cost of building a masonry home with the least expensive way to build a wood frame home, then the masonry home will probably cost more to build, especially the initial cost. Currently, builders are responding to homeowner's requests and building better insulated, tighter, higher performing homes. It costs more to build these high-performing wood frame homes so the price difference between wood and masonry is diminishing.

Question

Can any builder build a masonry home?

Answer

Generally speaking, yes. However, most production builders build with wood frame and are not able to build a single masonry home in a subdivision of wood frame homes. Visit subdivisions that feature masonry builders and you will find the home you are looking for at a price you can afford. If you're planning to build a custom home, look for a custom builder who builds masonry homes on a regular basis. (Masonry homebuilders)

Question

How can masonry be insulated?

Answer

Several methods are available for insulating masonry. Masonry can be furred out inside the building and insulation placed between the furring strips, under the drywall. Several systems are available that place insulation in the block cavity. There also are systems available to place insulation on the outside of the masonry wall and for existing buildings, there is a liquid foam that can be injected into the cavity of the walls.

Question

Is masonry energy efficient?

Answer

Masonry’s contributions toward the energy efficiency of an entire home or commercial building compares quite well to other construction materials.

There are numerous insulation methods and new insulated block systems on the market with varying R-values. Standard 8" hollow block's R-value is 1.75, which by itself, is not enough R-value to achieve energy efficiency. The addition of outside insulation, integral insulation or interior insulation can be added to standard block to make it very energy efficient, and in most cases, more so than wood construction. And yet even a 6" concrete masonry wall still has several times the heat capacity when compared to a conventional 2 by 4 wood framed wall.

Something worth keeping in mind: When questioned as to what building material they would prefer utilizing in a residential building with regards to comfort, energy efficiency and durability, the majority of building professionals, architects, engineers and designers answered either adobe block or masonry. Fact is, most energy efficient building materials for the desert or Southwest climate is 24" thick adobe, which only has an R-value of less than 7. It is energy efficient because of its other attributes including thermal mass, air tightness, thermal lag and thermal dampening.

This proves that R-value is just one piece of the energy puzzle, and often, does not paint a realistic picture of energy efficiency. In fact, much heat loss or gain, up to 48%, is through windows, not walls! Mr. Charlie Goman with the Arizona State Energy Office states that only 15% of the total energy picture is derived from the walls.

Most building system's claimed R-values are erroneous and misleading. (Please review Energy Value: Block vs. Wood for further information on R-values) The Arizona Masonry Guild is painstakingly investigating various building and testing systems to ultimately educate consumers.

Question

Why are masonry homes more pest resistant?

Answer

Masonry is very solid and has fewer connections and penetrations than wood frame construction. The largest connection and point-of-entry for pests in wood frame construction is where the stem wall and the rest of the house meet (usually 6-8" above grade level). This connection is a very weak point and is rarely finished and sealed correctly. This connection also further invites pests because it is shaded by the protruding foam insulation. This connection is sealed and basically does not exist with most types of masonry construction. Also, masonry is not a cellulose food for termites.

Question

Is a masonry home quieter than wood construction?

Answer

Yes. Concrete block and other masonry products have better sound-proofing qualities than traditional wood frame and stucco. Sound can easily travel through air but it can also travel through and reverberate through materials. Wood and drywall are not solid enough and allow sound to travel through easily. Foam on the outside walls is a fairly good sound insulator but not as good as masonry block, with its rigidity and ability of repelling sound waves. Masonry's solid construction also has fewer openings to let sound in as well. Wood frame homes have studs spaced 16" or 24" apart. The space between the studs is filled with fiberglass batt insulation, which has little effect on reducing sound transmission.