While many new homeowners focus on the latest colour trends for their interior walls, carpets and even faucets, it’s important for design-conscious consumers to keep their home’s exterior colour palette in mind as well.

Masonry hybrids - The look of stone mixed with the ease of installation of brick. These new products are the latest trend in masonry home construction, appealing more and more to new home buyers, builders and masons.

Streetsville businessman Jack Prazeres has been named the new president of a masonry association. Prazeres, president of Mississauga's Target Masonry, has been tapped to lead Masonryworx.

Jack Prazeres has been announced as the new President of MasonryWorx. Prazeres will lead the new Board and Executive Committee, succeeding Dante Di Giovanni, who will remain on the MasonryWorx Executive Committee as Past President.

Masonry products include brick, block and stone. They are among the oldest, longest lasting and most versatile building materials. There are many reasons to make masonry products your first choice in building materials. They all relate to the physical characteristics and environmental impacts of brick, block and stone. Together, they define the environmental advantages of masonry.

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Mr. Chairman, my name is Michael Atkinson and I am the President of the Canadian Construction Association. I am here today not only on behalf of CCA, but also as a member of the Coalition for Fair Construction Practices. Joining me this morning are three other members of our Coalition: Mr. Gary Sturgeon, Technical Services Engineer for the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association who will also speaking before you today, Mr. Ed Whalen, President of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, and Ms. Marina deSouza, Managing Director of the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association. Since our concerns are very similar, Mr. Sturgeon and I have agreed to combine our statements.

Dear (MP):
On behalf of MasonryWorx, I am writing to express the concerns of our members with Bill C- 429, a Private members’ Bill submitted by Mr. Gerard Asselin, Bloc Quebecois. This Bill is intended to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act, and to specifically promote the use of wood products and systems:

Newmarket, ON (November 14) – Today, York Region Chairman and CEO, Bill Fisch and MasonryWorx President, Judy Pryma announced the winners of the second annual Masonry Masterpiece Awards. Presented by MasonryWorx – an industry association representing Ontario’s product manufacturers, suppliers and skilled professionals – the Masonry Masterpiece Awards recognize excellence in building with masonry products.

“York Region has many wonderful examples – old and new – of masonry buildings that are, and will become, cornerstones of the communities” says Judy Pryma, president of MasonryWorx. “The Masonry Masterpiece Awards formally recognizes these buildings for their beauty and sustainability, and showcase the overall benefits of brick, block and stone.”

New survey finds surprising similarities in Ontarians’ vision of their dream home

TORONTO, ON (November 21, 2006) – Builders and architects take heed: according to a new Leger Marketing poll, Ontarians have a clear vision of their dream home and how it would be built. When asked to describe their dream home, an overwhelming majority say that it would be a fully detached house (91 per cent), environmentally friendly (89 per cent) and that it would be built using masonry products (81 per cent).

BARRIE, ON (November 7) – Today, Mayor Rob Hamilton (City of Barrie) and MasonryWorx member Dante DiGiovanni announced the winners of the 1st Annual Masonry Masterpiece Awards. The Masonry Masterpiece Awards – sponsored by MasonryWorx – were created to recognize excellence in building with masonry products.

“The Barrie area has many buildings – both new and old – that showcase the benefits of masonry products,” says Frank Buck, president of MasonryWorx. “The visual appeal is the most noticeable benefit, but masonry products also help to create sustainable, healthy and durable buildings.”

Great communities start with great building materials, says MasonryWorx

Toronto, ON July 8, 2004 – Toronto-area masonry professionals, product makers and suppliers have formed a new association that will provide information and education on the use of brick, block and stone in building beautiful, long-lasting communities.
The new association — called MasonryWorx — is encouraging homeowners, architects, builders and municipal officials to think about how Greater Toronto Area communities will look in twenty years, and to think more carefully about the exterior claddings chosen for buildings.

Facts About Masonry

The Masonry Advantage
Masonry products — block, brick and stone — are strong, sustainable and safe materials. As an exterior cladding, masonry products help create beautiful and durable residential homes and commercial buildings in our communities.