Architectural concrete masonry anchored veneers combine beauty, durability, and low maintenance while offering architects significant design flexibility. This course examines the finishes, sizes, profiles, and colors that distinguish architectural CMU, and explores the high performance these systems achieve when coupled with concrete masonry cavity walls. Participants will review essential detailing recommendations for veneers, including how to accommodate openings, flashing, anchoring, and crack control strategies. The session also covers energy performance benefits, thermal mass advantages, and cavity wall insulation strategies, while emphasizing quality assurance through sample panels. The course finishes with discussing cleaning recommendations for architectural masonry.
Objectives
- Explore the aesthetic options of architectural concrete masonry veneers including different sizes, profiles, finishes and colors.
- Investigate the energy performance of concrete masonry cavity walls including thermal mass benefits, insulation strategies, and air barrier compliance options.
- Review key recommendations for concrete masonry veneers and cavity walls, including flashing, openings, anchoring, crack control, and strategies to mitigate moisture penetration.
- Summarize why sample panels are important for quality control and discuss cleaning recommendation for architectural concrete masonry.