Masonry walls constitute the interface between the building‎'‎s interior and the outdoor environment‎.‎ Masonry walls are traditionally composed of fired‎-clay bricks ‎(‎solid or perforated‎)‎ or blocks ‎(‎concrete or earth‎-based‎)‎‎,‎ but in the past ‎(‎and even in the present‎)‎ they were often associated as needing an extra special thermal and acoustical insulation layer‎.‎ However‎,‎ over more recent years investigations on thermal and acoustical features has led to the development of new improved bricks and blocks that no longer need these insulation layers‎.‎ Traditional masonry units ‎(‎fired‎-clay bricks‎,‎ concrete or earth‎-based blocks‎)‎ that don‎'‎t offer improved performance in terms of thermal and acoustical insulation are a symbol of a low‎-technology past‎,‎ that are far removed from the demands of sustainable construction‎.‎ This book provides an up‎-to‎-date state‎-of‎-the‎-art review on the eco‎-efficiency of masonry units‎,‎ particular emphasis is placed on the design‎,‎ properties‎,‎ performance‎,‎ durability and LCA of these materials‎.‎ Since masonry units are also an excellent way to reuse bulk industrial waste the book will be important in the context of the Revised Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC which states that the minimum reuse and recycling targets for construction and demolition waste ‎(‎CDW‎)‎ should be at least 70% by 2020‎.‎ On the 9th of March 2011 the European Union approved the Regulation ‎(‎EU‎)‎ 305/2011‎,‎ known as the Construction Products Regulation ‎(‎CPR‎)‎ and it will be enforced after the 1st of July 2013‎.‎ The future commercialization of construction materials in Europe makes their environmental assessment mandatory meaning that more information related to the environmental performance of building materials is much needed‎.‎ * Provides an authoritative guide to the eco‎-efficiency of masonry units* Examines the reuse of waste materials* Covers a range of materials including‎,‎ clay‎,‎ cement‎,‎ earth and pumice