FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Todd Costello
212.297.2109
tcostello@kellencompany.com
MASONRY VENEER MANUFACTURES ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL “MVMA DESIGN AWARDS” COMPETITION

TO SHOWCASE CREATIVE USE OF MANUFACTURED STONE
NEW YORK, NY (February 23, 2011) — With Manufactured Stone fast becoming one of the most requested wall coverings in new construction and renovation projects, contracting and design professionals are looking for innovative ways to incorporate its rugged, authentic, elegant looks and versatility.
Today, the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA) announced its second annual MVMA Design Awards, a program created to recognize the work of industry professionals who are setting trends by featuring Manufactured Stone Veneer in their projects.
“Our goal is to recognize leaders in the Manufactured Stone industry by highlighting their design successes,” said Mike Fischer, MVMA general manager. “This year‟s theme of „Natural Beauty Fashioned in Stone‟ aims to showcase the beauty and authenticity of Manufactured Stone.”
MVMA Design Awards Facts All entries will be submitted online at www.MasonryVeneerDesignAwards.com by May 13, 2011 An independent judging panel will announce winners at the MVMA Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA Eligible projects were completed between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011 There is no entry fee Submissions require high-resolution images of the completed project More information, including rules and entry can be found at www.MasonryVeneerDesignAwards.com.
About the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association
Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA) was organized and officially began operation in April 2006 to represent the Manufactured Stone Veneer industry‟s manufacturing companies and their suppliers. MVMA is the only incorporated trade association organized specifically for the masonry veneer products industry. The mission of the organization is to advance the growth of the manufactured masonry veneer products industry through proactive technical, advocacy and awareness efforts.

Owens Corning Reaches Definitive Agreement to Sell
Masonry Products Business for a Minimum of $90 Million
TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 15, 2010 – Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), a world leader in building materials and glass fiber reinforcements, announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement with Boral Industries Ltd. to sell its Masonry Products business.
The divestiture will be in two stages. Owens Corning will sell a 50 percent stake in its Masonry Products business to Boral Industries Ltd. for $45 million at closing. The Masonry Products business will then be operated jointly until early 2014. At that time, Owens Corning will sell its remaining 50 percent stake for $45 million and may receive additional proceeds depending on 2013 financial performance. Owens Corning will record an impairment charge estimated to be $115 million, which is primarily related to goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the business as part of fresh start accounting.

Boral will assume operational control of the business at closing. During the period of joint ownership, Owens Corning and Boral will work together to ensure maximum performance.

The transaction is expected to close by year-end and is subject to regulatory approval.

About Owens Corning
Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass-fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems. A Fortune 500 Company for 56 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability by delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives. Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass-fiber technology with sales of $4.8 billion in 2009 and about 16,000 employees in 28 countries on five continents. Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com.
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a day of discussions including issues currently surrounding the masonry industry

Press Release
150 members of the masonry & building industry gathered to discuss improving the quality of installation of masonry products and building a healthier wall, during the Instone Training & Vendor

Tuesday February 1, 2011 in Hamilton, NJ, Instone, a New Jersey based company who is the largest wholesale distributor of Cultured Stone® in the United States, distributing masonry products from Maine to Virginia, and the Midwest.
Instone brought together members of the building industry for a day of discussions including issues currently surrounding the masonry industry , a total, on-the-wall installation solution, and immediate measures to protect the industry from the negative impact of faulty installations.
Guest speaker Chris Hines of the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association* delivered the MVMA recommendations for proper installation of masonry veneer products and recommendations for building a healthy wall.
(*The MVMA organization provides up-to-date guidelines of the generally accepted masonry veneer installation methods and details in order to discourage faulty installations.)
Also presenting during the Instone Training & Vendor Day were representatives from masonry products manufacturers such as Cultured Stone®, FireRock, Stone Transitions™, Spider Lath, Keene™ Building Supplies, Semco Natural ThinCut Stone, and AMICO building products, all of which support and follow the MVMA guidelines for installation and healthy wall systems.
Members of the building industry gained valuable information that will improve the quality of installation and gained the knowledge of how to product against unhealthy wall conditions that occur as a result of mold and corrosion.
For more information about Instone or the MVMA please contact
us 888-467-8250 www.instoneco.com www.masonryveneer.com

Veneer Stone Installation - Built by Code

Instone invites you to attend their “Instone Masonry Training and Vendor Day,” a training and discussion-based learning opportunity featuring installation demonstrations, product training seminars, and a guest speaker from the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA). Issues currently surrounding the masonry industry will be presented, including a total, on-the-wall installation solution, immediate measures to protect the industry from the negative impact of faulty installations, and the importance of delivering consistent installation instructions. Information on the latest products from manufacturers such as Owens Corning Cultured Stone®, FireRock, Stone Transitions™, Spider Lath, Keene™, Semco, and AMICO will also be offered.

“Instone Masonry and Vendor Day” will be held on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn of Hamilton, 800 Route 130 in Hamilton, NJ. Masons, contractors, builders, the architectural community, and others working with masonry veneers are encouraged to take advantage of this information-packed learning opportunity to keep abreast of recent industry changes and installation guideline modifications.

Instone, a reputable resource for manufactured and natural stone veneer products and accessories, remains committed to providing customers with knowledge and products that conform to the highest current and future industry standards. Representing the manufacturers and suppliers of stone and brick veneer products since its inception in 2006, the MVMA aims to advance the industry through proactive technical, advocacy and awareness efforts. The organization provides up-to-date guidelines of the generally accepted masonry veneer installation methods and details in order to discourage faulty installations.

There is no cost to attend the event, which includes lunch, door prizes, and participation gifts; however, advanced registration is required before January 25, 2011. Registration forms are available on Instone’s website, www.instoneco.com (choose “Mid-Atlantic and Northeast” on the home page, then click on the event’s icon). For more information or to receive a registration form via regular mail, please contact Cathy Williams at Instone, 888-467-8250 or c.williams@instoneco.com.

• Instone invites you to attend an important day of training and discussion on issues surrounding the masonry industry today;
  • The new MVMA installation guide lines and how it will impact your business.
  • A total on the wall installation solution.
  • What measures to take now to protect the industry from the negative fallout
  surrounding faulty installations
  • Importance of delivering the same message of the new installation instructions
  
  information on the latest new product from:
  • Owens Corning Cultured Stone® • FireRock
  • StoneTransitions™ • Spider Lath
  • Keene™ • Semco
  
  The event will include:
  • Installation demonstration / Product training seminars
  • Guest Speaker from the MVMA
  • Lunch
  • Door prizes & participation gifts
  We encourage you to bring your employees, masons and contractors to this very important event. Architectural community welcomed
  
  • Instone Masonry Training & Vendor Day
  • Tuesday February 1st 2011
  • 10 am to 3 pm
  Location:
  Hilton Garden Inn
  800 Route 130 South Hamilton, NJ
  
  There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Please fill out the registration form found on the back of this flyer and return no later than 1/25/2010. For more information please contact Cathy Williams 888-467-8250 c.williams@instoneco.com
  
  *Special rates have been secured at Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton NJ 609-585-6789 please contact direct to book accommodations
  
  
  

Changes to the MVMA guidelines raises questions about the use of Spider Lath. Here are some answers when using Spider Lath in place of metal lath:

For starters, I typically refer people to the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association(MVMA) Guidelines as a starting point. MVMA is made up of the leading manufacturers and other professionals in the industry.
You can find their guidelines at http://www.masonryveneer.org/pdf/MVMAManualDesign_web.pdf It is important to recognize that installing Adhered Concrete Masonry Veneer on ICF’s is outside of the scope of the MVMA guidelines. Before you start, you want to make sure that the lath is pulled tight.

Some installers use a 3 or 4 foot 2x with nails that is used as a stretcher (see attached photo). MVMA calls for ½” nominal scratch coat, where the lath is fully embedded (1/4” behind and ¼” in front of the lath) – this is required whether you are using self-furring metal lath, flat metal lath with furring strips or fiberglass lath with furring strips.

Most installers aren’t aware of this requirement and also don’t typically apply this thick of a scratch coat. We have found it easier when you apply the mortar up the wall first and then across the wall (to push the mortar behind this fiberglass). It is certainly a bit different than metal, but it works pretty well and most importantly it ensures you are getting a full 1/4” behind the lath. After spreading about a 10sft area, come back and apply another coat – ensuring the full ½” that the MVMA calls for. Once thumbprint hard, scratch with scarifier.

Letting the scratch coat set up will provide a very rigid surface to apply thin veneer to. In regards to installing thin veneer over ICF. There are a few manufacturers of thin veneer who give recommendations on how to install over ICF.
I would suggest obtaining this information from the ICF manufacturer as typically you would need to tie in to the metal or plastic flange that typically runs from the top of the form to the bottom.
I’ve spoken to a couple of ICF manufacturers and they recommend that you attach lath with screws and some sort of washer (head) 6” on center. I think the important point is that we should all take some time to read the MVMA guidelines. There are a lot of enhancements that help us build better walls.