Speak Up for CMU: The Future of Masonry Inside Today’s Schools

Words: Mark Wilhelms and Tiffany Askew
Photos: Best Block

K-12 school construction remains one of the most active markets for non-load-bearing interior walls. In most projects, concrete masonry units (CMU) are already the load-bearing material for the school’s exterior, delivering strength, weather resistance, and security. Yet inside the building, metal studs and drywall often dominate specifications, despite the clear advantages of CMU for interior walls.

Why does this happen? One major reason is habit. Many design teams and project advisors default to familiar materials without reexamining whether they still meet modern school needs. Budget comparisons are sometimes based on incomplete or outdated numbers, which can make CMU appear less competitive than it truly is. When early project discussions leave CMU out of the conversation, the chance to select a better-performing wall system vanishes before bids are even issued.

Masons Have the Power to Advocate
Masons have the leverage to shift this pattern by championing CMU for school interiors. Engaging school districts, architects, and engineers early ensures masonry is part of the conversation from the start. By demonstrating CMU’s durability, low maintenance, and protective benefits, and supporting these points with cost data and real-world case studies, masons can show its true value and establish it as the superior long-term choice. To make CMU the standard throughout schools, masons must take the lead and advocate for its use at every stage of design.

The Stronger Approach to Safety
Safety is a top priority in K-12 construction, and CMU partitions excel at delivering secure learning environments. Its dense, fire-resistant composition meets most safety codes and can be specified to exceed them in critical areas. During severe weather, intruder incidents, or fires, CMU walls act as reliable barriers that help form protected zones within the school. When part of a broader safety approach, masonry offers benefits and security that metal-stud wall systems cannot match.

For districts seeking even greater protection, CMU can be engineered to meet ballistic performance standards, offering resistance to projectiles and forced entry without compromising aesthetics or budgets. Masons who understand these options can highlight them as added value and establish themselves as safety-focused partners in school construction.

Durability, Acoustics, and Air Quality
School interiors face constant wear and tear from students, equipment, and daily activity. Drywall can quickly dent, crack, and require frequent repairs and repainting. In contrast, CMU partitions maintain their structure and appearance for decades, even in high-traffic areas, reducing maintenance needs and long-term costs.

Noise in schools can affect concentration, comprehension, and behavior. Drywall partitions provide limited sound insulation, allowing noise to transfer between classrooms and corridors. CMU naturally blocks sound more effectively, and acoustically enhanced masonry options further reduce echoes and background noise, creating a quieter environment where teachers can communicate clearly and students can focus.

Mold and mildew-resistant board, as shown in this high-traffic corridor here, costs extra, while concrete block is naturally mold and mildew.

Moisture-prone areas such as locker rooms, restrooms, and cafeterias pose additional challenges for drywall. Lightweight partitions absorb water, which can lead to mold growth and poor air quality. CMU resists moisture, is easy to clean, and provides a healthier, more durable option for these spaces.

Modern Design and Efficient Construction
CMU has evolved from a basic building block into a versatile design element. Modern units come in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes, enabling visually striking patterns and three-dimensional effects without additional materials. Designs that feature stepped arrangements and recessed or protruding blocks allow CMU to serve as structure and statement, giving schools a distinctive interior identity. With just one material, design teams can create striking, impactful aesthetics that are functional and durable.

Interior CMU partition walls can create depth and texture to make a bold design statement

Non-load-bearing CMU partitions are easier to build than exterior walls because they require minimal reinforcement. This reduces the complexity of structural design and allows quicker, more efficient construction. Interior walls up to 14 feet in height can often be completed with minimal materials, which lowers labor and material costs and helps to get schools ready for occupancy sooner.

Design Table courtesy of FORSE Engineering, https://website.forsei.com/

Strengthening Masonry’s Market Share
The opportunity for masonry inside today’s schools is too important to overlook. Interior partitions represent a market where masons can showcase the full breadth of their craft while delivering buildings that are safer, more durable, and better suited for modern education. By speaking up for CMU and collaborating with leading manufacturers like Best Block, masons can influence the conversation, guide specifications, and demonstrate that masonry is the stronger choice and the smarter investment for schools and communities. The future of school interiors belongs to masons who step forward and make their voices heard.

Speak Up for CMU: The Future of Masonry Inside Today’s Schools

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