Concrete and Masonry

Rather than hiding a poured-concrete or block foundation with landscape plantings, show it off with stone veneer by Cody Macfie

Hold back the earth with blocks, concrete, timbers, or stone. Here's how different systems stack up. by Eric Nelson

Stacked on a stable base, interlocking concrete blocks offer a mortarless solution to common landscaping problems by Andy Beasley

Assembled with regular building skills, ICFs form airtight, insulating concrete walls that finish with standard materials by Andy Engel

They hold up the house, hold back the earth and keep out the water. If they're not level and square, you may end up custom-cutting every rafter. by Rick Arnold, Mike Guertin

by Jeff Fosbre

by Scott McBride

Site-built panels that hold up under stress by William F. Doran

by Burteigh F. Wyman

Tools, materials and techniques for building a brick wall by Richard T. Kreh Sr.

Save your mortar for pointing, bed your stones in concrete, and remember there's no substitute for gravity by Stephen Kennedy

Precision-ground concrete blocks make it easy to build a wall by Rob Thallon

A good rock supply, tight joints and hidden mortar are the secret to the solid, structural look by Tim Snyder

A strong, fast and inexpensive alternative to poured-concrete or block-in-mortar walls by Paul Hanke