Concrete Masonry Homes: Recommended Practices

Author(s): NAHB Research Center Inc.

Report Acceptance Date: December 1999 (53 pages)

Posted Date: August 22, 2007

Concrete Masonry Homes: Recommended Practices was developed as a guideline for using concrete masonry in the construction of homes in the United States.

This document focuses primarily on the attachment of common residential materials and elements to concrete masonry wall construction. The installation of certain materials or products commonly affects the installation of other materials or elements; in addition, tools and fasteners used for one type of application may be used for another. Needless to say, materials and elements may be installed in many possible combinations. In an effort both to present an abundance of information in a concise manner and limit the amount of cross-referencing between fact sheets, this document is divided into seven fact sheets as listed below. Each fact sheet focuses on a specific type of connection or attachment. The first three fact sheets primarily address structural connections, the fourth focuses on common finishes that may be used on CMU walls, the fifth deals with thermal aspects of CMU construction, the sixth concentrates on utility placement alternatives, and the seventh considers common tools and fasteners used to install the items discussed in the previous fact sheets.