Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/833835
J UNE 2017 | 31 Masonry provide more education, training and resources for newcomers to this multi-faceted and often demand- ing field. Arriscraft again is a good example of a company that recently amped up its marketing tools. It did so on two fronts: by creating a comprehensive, consumer- focused video that both educates home buyers and supports builders and dealers in communicating the unique qualities and benefits of Arriscraft's calcium silicate stone products; and by launching a newly rede- signed website, providing consumers, homebuilders, and commercial customers with improved access to the product line and its unique benefits. Arriscraft marketing manager Marta Zonneveld says, "Our Building Smart with Arriscraft video explains how we are different and why we are the lead- ing choice for manufactured stone." The new video covers all key topics, including the company's Natural Process technology, installation overview, inherent product features, competitive comparisons, style selec- tion, as well as the cost benefits of Arriscraft homes. Bill McEwen, technical services specialist for the Masonry Institute of British Columbia and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association of B.C., calls the provision of information in his profession "absolutely vital for designers and engineers, espe- cially junior staff. That's why we're placing such an emphasis on our updated technical manual, which incorporates design issues and specifications that far exceed the content of manuals belonging to other asso- ciations in North America." Indeed, the Masonry Institute is rapidly becoming a one-stop-shop for anyone wanting to know more about particular applications, even with regards to intricate structural and veneer situations, or rebar and grout- ing requirements in wall construction. Just as the technical manual is a work in progress, so too is the Institute's website, with one new facet currently in the works for a fall release being a Design Elements section. "This section will go into even more detail about components, such as brick patterns, sizing and textures," says McEwen. One update that McEwen is particularly eager to see enacted is the new edition of the BC Building Code, which will reference new higher capacities for masonry in earthquakes. "It's an important update that many designers and developers are waiting for, and once the Code is updated, we'll update our tools accordingly," he says. Given the versatile nature of masonry, it follows that restoration specialists are involved in a diverse array of projects, and that is certainly the case with Clifford Masonry Limited. Clifford's work encom- passes everything from utilitarian and historical projects to unique one-offs, an example of the former being the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant (built in the 1930s) in Toronto. This envelope rehabilitation project required brick replacement on all buildings on the property, pointing of deteriorated mortar joints at both brick and stone masonry, waterproofing, flash- ings and vapour barriers, restoration of the existing Queenston limestone units including plastic repairs, Dutchman repairs, and pin and crack repairs, as well as installation of new windows, doors and security upgrades (which were within the realm of Clifford's duties as general contractor). A unique one-off for Clifford was the Mizner Memorial Fountain in West Palm Beach, Florida, which consisted of the repair, cleaning and conserving of four original "hippocamps" (water horse) sculptures that are the main visual attraction of this historic foun- tain. The sculptures consist of a cast concrete material designed to replicate the local Florida keystone lime- stone; and the project involved the sculptures being shipped to Clifford's Canadian facilities where careful cleaning, replication of missing or badly damaged ele- ments, repair of surfaces, anti-corrosion treatment of embedded reinforcement and mineral silicate coating was undertaken and meticulously documented. For restorers and developers whose clients seek high-end products for their commercial and residen- tial projects, Stone Concept Ltd.'s suppliers provide the highest quality, most esthetically pleasing and reasonably affordable products, whether it be thin veneer stone, manufactured stone, paving stones, inte- rior decorative stone, or an incredible line of designer bricks coming from Europe; it also provides custom cutting for any restoration or architectural design from its Calgary headquarters. The custom cutting is only limited by your imagination. Marie-Luce Denis, Stone Concept's architectural specification representative, adds that her company, which serves all of Western Canada, is also a trusted source for Canadian-made manufactured stone. "It's an important distinction to make, because unlike manu- factured products from offshore, Canadian-made stone is mixed with glass beads for density and comes with a lifetime warranty for discolouration and crumbling," she says. A Member CERTIFIED PLANT CPCI – Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute @CPCI_Canada cpci_canada Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) COME VISIT CPCI AT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS Find out more about these events at: http://www.cpci.ca/en/about_us/news_events/ TAC annual Conference & Expo Delta St. John's Hotel and Conference Centre, St. John's, NL September 24 – 27, 2017 http://www.tac-atc.ca/ Canadian Parking 2017 Conference & Trade Show Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, AB October 17 – 20, 2017 http://canadianparking.ca/banff2017/ GreenBuild 2017 Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre, Boston, MA November 8 – 9, 2017 https://greenbuildexpo.com/attendee/ showinfo IIDEX – Construct Canada Toronto Metro Convention Centre Toronto, ON November 29 – December 1, 2017 http://www.constructcanada.com/