Happy New Year to all our members and partners! This is the first newsletter of 2012, and MasonryWorx is looking forward to a year of steady growth and serving our members.

With increasing membership, new partnerships, strengthening relationships with allies, and an interactive communications strategy, MasonryWorx is poised for more success in 2012. Last year, our association went live with a new web site design, more interactive, user-friendly, and with more content than ever before.

They've been part of Toronto's cityscape for over a century and their appeal doesn't stem only from their architectural design, but from the materials used to build them.

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.

A Message from President Dante Di Giovanni

Jack Prazeres, of Target Masonry and president of MasonryWorx, was presented with the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship in December for his contribution to the community.

Recent fires in homes with mid-rise wood frame buildings have brought into focus the issue of fire safety in residential neighborhoods. The Richmond, British Columbia (BC) fire in May is case in point.

Study reveals merit of masonry built homes. A survey on new home buyers preferences shows that 89% of Ontario new home shoppers prefer a house made of brick or stone, but most also believe it is the most expensive option.

Eighty-four per cent of new homebuyers want homes built with brick or stone, says MasonryWorx. The study, commissioned by the trade association of brick, block, and stone masonry industry professionals, showed that more than four in five respondents think a brick or stone home “looks best,” is more durable, and has a higher resale value.

Jack Prazeres is president of MasonryWorx and will lead the board and executive committee. He succeeds Dante Di Giovanni who will remain on the executive committee as past president. 

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.

A new survey on new homebuyer preferences shows that 89% of Ontario new home shoppers prefer a house made of brick or stone, but most also believe it is the most expensive option.

A recent study shows that 89% of homebuyers prefer a home built with the beauty of masonry. But the reasons to buy a home with brick, block and stone go well beyond aesthetics.

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.

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.

Masonry homes offer better value and are more affordable than you think

TORONTO –Homebuyers are selling themselves, and their investment, short when they choose a vinyl-clad home over one with a masonry exterior.

A new study commissioned by MasonryWorx, the trade association of brick, block and stone masonry industry professionals, shows that 84% of Ontario new home shoppers prefer a house made of brick or stone, but most also believe it is the most expensive option. Half of all home shoppers consider vinyl siding the least expensive cladding option, but only 6% prefer it. However, the idea that opting for a masonry exterior is vastly more expensive is a myth potential homebuyers should see past, says MasonryWorx President Dante Di Giovanni.

Home-buyers are selling themselves, and their investment, short when they choose a vinyl-clad home over one with a masonry exterior, says a trade association that represents brick, block and stone masonry professionals.

Download the spring edition of the MasonryWorx Newsletter.

• Message from the board
• Controversial Bill Defeated in the House of Commons
• Members Win at the Ontario Masonry Design Awards!
• MasonryWorx is Growing!
• Association News
• 2011 Membership

-Excerpt-

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:

Download the summer edition of the MasonryWorx Newsletter.

• Message from the board
• Looking beyond LEED
• Ready, set, build
• Environmental Benefits
• Association News
• 2010 Membership