Today's building envelope systems are more complex than ever. Sustainability and energy issues are requiring more sophisticated building envelopes that can manage air flow, moisture migration, vapor and finally, energy.

Designers and construction managers look for a trade that can install the entire system and reduce problems in the envelope.

Such demands are changing the roles of the masonry contractor and craftworker. They now have more responsibility for the entire building envelope, which includes exterior finish, air, moisture and vapor controls, the anchors, ties and channels supporting all the materials, plus insulation and air barriers.

That makes education and training in these new roles more important than ever. The IU/IMI New Products and Technologies Committee works with manufacturers of the various components to make this work available to mason contractors and craftworkers. IMI technical staffers are actively involved with the ASTM International* Committee E06, Performance of Buildings, to make these systems more efficient. And IMI training helps prepare craftworkers for their new roles.

*originally knows as the American Society for Testing and Materials