Concrete masonry has been a staple of U.S. construction for over a century, yet many of its economic and environmental advantages are underutilized or unknown altogether. With concrete masonry units (CMU), you don’t have to choose between looks and longevity, or sacrifice strength for stewardship—a distinct advantage for designers looking to do more with less.
Last year alone, the U.S. experienced 28 weather-related disasters each exceeding $1 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The economic, emotional, and environmental toll tied to rebuilding any time disaster strikes is one we can’t afford to keep paying.
FEMA defines resilience as our capacity as individuals, communities, businesses, institutions, and governments to adapt to changing conditions and prepare for, withstand, and rapidly recover from disruption. During extreme conditions, CMU can save lives and salvage livelihoods. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates that every dollar invested in resilient construction saves communities $13 in future damages, cleanup costs, and economic output.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is working to put a stop to this costly cycle of inefficiency, passing a December 2021 referendum to establish the Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC), an industry-funded program devoted to the research, education, and promotion of concrete masonry products. The inception of CMC marks an important step toward ensuring our nation’s infrastructure is one of integrity and enduring quality.
Block’s Role in Resilient Construction
CMC’s new Beauty of Block campaign gives architects a glimpse of what’s possible with block, centering around five core areas of resilience: Safety, Cost Savings, Style, Sustainability, and Strength. Best of all, these benefits come standard with “typical” CMU construction—there’s no need to retrofit or go above and beyond to meet building codes.
SAFETY: Nearly half of all homes and businesses in the U.S. are at “severe” or “extreme” risk of flood, wildfire, heat, or winds, according to Realtor.com’s 2024 Housing and Climate Risk Report. The destruction associated with these events can largely be prevented with concrete masonry. CMU makes it easy for architects to incorporate defensive architecture without added cost.
STYLE: Whatever aesthetic you seek, block ensures it’ll last. Concrete masonry figures prominently into many stunning works of architecture and easily integrates with other materials to create bold contrasts and combinations.
SAVINGS: Many are surprised to see how competitive CMU is on initial construction costs, but the savings don’t stop there. CMU is energy efficient, requires little to no maintenance, and provides relief from soaring insurance premiums.
SUSTAINABILITY: Given its longevity, local origin, and low embodied carbon compared to other systems, CMU is a model of efficiency. When looking at each life-cycle stage (raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, construction, maintenance, renovation, and end-of-life), block’s low embodied carbon becomes especially compelling.
STRENGTH: Because concrete masonry won’t warp, rot, rust, or combust, it’s better able to maintain structural integrity over time. Hardened surfaces also provide superior protection against nearly all natural and manmade forces.
It’s clear there’s more to CMU than meets the eye. To learn more about how your next project can benefit from the all-around appeal of concrete masonry, visit BeautyofBlock.com.
