Masonry Magazine October 2001 Page. 18
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Now in 3D
by Tradesmen's Software
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
See the actual building being displayed in 3D as you do your take-off in either PLAN mode, PERSPECTIVE mode, OUTSIDE mode, INSIDE mode or at any ELEVATION.
Complete your take-off, then walk through or around and see the actual finished building(s).
SAVE S-No more walls, bandings, openings or even buildings missed from your estimate.
Figure special wall shapes like PIERS, GABLE, SLOPE or STEPS!
Calculates CMU: HALF and FULL BULLNOSE, DOUBLE BULLNOSE, CHAMFER, or SASH for any or all OPENINGS, JAMBS, CORNERS, CONTROL JOINTS and any SPECIAL CUTS.
Integrate with PROJECT COST and DIGITAL PLAN MEASURING SYSTEMS.
Windows 95/98/NT/ME or 2000 compatible.
30 day money back guarantee.
Computer illiterate? Let our 40 years of masonry and 10 years of computer experience help you help yourself. Support available 7 days a week.
Tradesmen's Software, Inc.
1-800-494-4899
See for yourself at:
www.tradesmens.com
18 MASONRY OCTOBER, 2001
STANDARDIZATION OF UNITS
Knowledgeable representatives
These issues and concerns were widely publicized within the industry. And now nearly twenty years later, key accounts continue to select alternative building systems and complain about the masonry industry because of:
Poor product availability
Inconsistent product quality
Uncompetitive economics
Poor quality of workmanship
Lack of standardization of units
Lack of knowledgeable representatives
PRODUCT QUALITY AND STANDARDIZATION
Product quality has improved dramatically over the last twenty years, especially in the concrete masonry industry. Improved curing processes; improved pigments; better understanding of and improvements in mix designs; blending cements; increased number of products, textures, and finishes; improved water repellents; and improved cleaning solutions are among some of the recent changes that have significantly impacted product quality. What remains lacking for the customer is the consistent product from location to location. The customers recognize the local differences in raw materials and manufacturing processes. But the range of products regionally and nationally is often unacceptable to the customer. Many key accounts prefer painted split-face concrete masonry because of the lack of consistency in color as well as the economics. Many of the accounts are now developing projects in more densely populated suburban areas. Painted split-face block are no longer acceptable choices, due to the influence of local architectural review boards. Customers are looking for affordable exposed architectural masonry units. There is difficulty providing these products to these key customers. The installers of paint grade masonry and installation and cleaning techniques that are acceptable for masonry that are intended to be painted are not acceptable for exposed architectural masonry unit construction.
Thus, the customer has grave concerns about product quality. To the customer, the product is not the individual units, but the wall systems. When the customer is making changes from paint-grade masonry to exposed architectural masonry unit construction, appropriate changes in product installation and cleaning are necessary. Rubbing the wall with pieces of masonry units, high-pressure washing (which is not recommended by any producer or industry organization), grout and mortar stains, mud stains, and other aesthetic distractions that have become the norm for paint grade masonry construction are not acceptable for exposed architectural masonry unit construction. A higher degree of quality installation is crucial for continued acceptance of exposed architectural masonry construction.
ECONOMY
Price of masonry construction remains a primary consideration when key accounts are selecting wall systems. The accounts look to pass savings on to their customers in order to be more competitive in the marketplace. When the key customers are looking to costs, they are not only looking at the actual installation costs, but also their costs to a timely opening of their store. The quicker they can enclose their store the quicker they can be open for business. Delays due to weather, wall failures resulting from inadequate bracing, product availability, and mason availability are