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ProBlock provides newly optimized shapes and configurations, the balanced “A” block and knock-out “H” design, which can be produced in full and half-high units and a variety of colors and finishes. “Additionally, it exhibits exceptional energy performance and cost saving characteristics.” “While a familiar shape, ProBlock is a totally new type of Concrete Masonry Unit that is the lightest, best balanced, easiest and safest-to-lay block,” states Jody Wall, Director of Research and Development at Stalite, Inc. More than five years of research and development have gone into this new, unique CMU unit which demonstrates increased energy efficiency, safety and productivity in both the manufacturing process and installation by masons. ProBlock is a patented Concrete Masonry Unit available from more than 30 distributors and licensees across the country. There are three inches of insulation in the construction of the product.” There is a water/vapor barrier, which is important, because it allows water and moisture to migrate through and not collect in the walls. “It’s a single-wide wall system, but it provides great water management and R-value. “We are really excited about this,” states John Cicciarelli, National Masonry Product Manager for Oldcastle Architectural, under which the Echelon brand resides. They include a high performance insulation inset and thin veneer, which can Echelon’s Acousta-Wal® sound-absorbing masonry units can control sound emission as the product is uniquely designed to absorb sound at all frequencies.Įchelon’s InsulTech TM Concrete Masonry System, in half-high and full-high products, also has an acoustical comfort as well as energy efficiency and moisture management in a completely pre-assembled system.
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Comprising the center’s inner and outer shell, masonry was chosen to not only enhance aesthetics, but also acoustics.įor example, the architectonics of the new performance hall were defined by an exterior shell consisting of exposed masonry and raked, unpainted cement stucco over metal stud framing, while Echelon’s Trendstone ground-face masonry units were strategically bumped from the interior walls to better reflect theater sound.”Īcoustics vary depending on a building’s size and use, as well as if one is trying to block sound entering from adjacent spaces or tone down sound within a room. According to Echelon’s press release: “The theater is embedded in masonry supplied by Oldcastle Architectural’s Echelon brand, where unique Trenwyth Trendstone walls in the Black Canyon color pattern support symphony, choir, band, jazz, percussion and vocal performances. Mesa Community College’s new 462-seat Performing Arts Center, previously featured in Masonry’s February issue, is but one example of using masonry for its acoustical properties. The humble concrete block is prized for its strength, simplicity and versatility, but there’s always the drive for a better mousetrap, and CMU innovation, design and production are no exception. Echelon TM, the masonry division of Oldcastle Architectural, embraces the philosophy that “efficiency starts with innovation,” as the company has positioned itself as one of the leaders in masonry products and solutions. Innovative people have examined problems, like cows not producing as much milk when they’re too warm, with an eye toward creative solutions. “Necessity, who is the mother of invention,” is attributed to the Greek author and philosopher Plato, and his words have proven true myriad times over. Sears Roebuck got into the action with machines for making blocks to build a house to accompany their popular series of kit homes. Labor, material and time were reduced on job sites, even back then. The size alone of concrete blocks was appealing, as builders did not need as many as their smaller brick counterparts, and they offered a significantly more uniform assembly than stones. In addition, cities embraced the bright idea of instituting building codes – or more strict ones – to protect life and property and preserve their entire communities. Unlike wood, these new building blocks offered minimal maintenance along with fire, moisture and insect resistance. Brick structures were plentiful, but the building industry turned a major corner when Portland cement was introduced, and about 25 years later, in 1900, Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) became mass-produced. The combination of wood and flammable building materials and poor firefighting capabilities for large infernos set the stage for such destruction. In San Francisco in 1906, some 25,000 buildings across nearly 500 city blocks were ravaged by flames. The great Chicago one year earlier left 90,000 people homeless. The Boston fire in 1872 forced dozens of insurance companies into bankruptcy.
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The statistics in terms of loss of life and property from fire damage are staggering in early U.S.