Monolithic refractories are used to advantage over brick construction in various types of furnaces. Their use promotes quick installation, avoiding delays for the manufacture of special brick shapes. Using monolithics frequently eliminates difficult bricklaying tasks, which may be accompanied by weakness in construction.

They are of major importance in the maintenance of furnaces because substantial repairs can be made with a minimum loss of time and, in some cases, even during operations. Under certain conditions, monolithic linings of the same chemical composition as firebrick provide better insulation, lower permeability, and improved resistance to the spalling effects of thermal shock.