• CFA Tech Note 014: Interpreting Nominal Concrete Wall Thickness

    Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    Introduction  A frequent point of discussion between contractors, designers and code authorities involves the interpretation of “nominal” versus “actual” concrete wall thickness. This technical note provides clarification on this topic by examining relevant building codes and industry standards. Understanding the code-defined relationship between nominal and actual dimensions is essential for ensuring compliance and project continuity.  Analysis of Code Requirements  The International Residential […]

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  • Volver a construir mejor: Resiliencia

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    Cuarto artículo de la serie  De Joe Nasvik  Una vez que se toma la decisión de construir una casa, la siguiente cuestión que hay que resolver es cómo se debe construir. El mejor sistema de construcción es aquel que sea más adecuado para los ocupantes actuales y futuros. El uso de pautas de sostenibilidad y resiliencia […]

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  • Building Back Better Resiliency

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    BY JOE NASVIK  This is the fourth and final article of the Building Back Better series.  After the decision is made to build a house, the next issue to resolve is how it should be built. The best building system is one that will be best for the current and future occupants. Using sustainability and resilience guidelines is […]

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  • 2025 CFA Consulting Members Directory

    Friday, March 6, 2026

    CFA works with many great consultants. If you are looking for consulting services, visit one of the companies below: BIC bicauctions.com BIC is a used concrete equipment specialist serving contrac­tors, manufacturers and lenders nationwide. The company helps industry professionals unlock value from idle or un­derutilized assets—whether it’s a single unit or an entire fleet. Their […]

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  • Interns posing in front of Custom Concrete building

    We See You: Custom Concrete Shouts Out Their Interns

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    Custom Concrete recently took time to celebrate the next generation of industry leaders by highlighting the contributions of their interns.

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Feature

Oct
29

COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION for Insulating and Finishing Poured Concrete Walls benefits Contractor, Builder and Homebuyer

CertainTeed’s T-RocTM Thermal Laminate Foundation Insulation System equips contractors with a tool to save builders money and provide extra living space for homebuyers — without the additional construction and labor costs associated with traditional basement finishing. Using the T-RocTM Thermal Laminate Foundation Insulation System, the builder is able to bypass several costly, time-intensive tasks typically involved with finishing below-grade concrete walls, and offer a prized upgrade to prospective home buyers–a […]

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Oct
29

DELTA®-FOOTING BARRIER

DELTA®-FOOTING BARRIER is a 3-ply sheet membrane containing a polyester needle punched fabric, a polyethylene barrier, and an ant-slip surface layer. Its primary purpose is to act as a capillary break between the footing and the foundation wall to prevent the capillary rise of moisture. Building Code in several jurisdictions across North America have begun to require basements to be insulated to […]

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Oct
29

BILCO INTRODUCES NEW AND IMPROVED STAKWEL® WINDOW WELL SYSTEM ENHANCED DESIGN Results in Added Product Strength

The Bilco Company has enhanced its stakWEL® Window Well System, a modular system of units that are stacked together to accommodate virtually any foundation depth. The new design features high-density polyethylene inserts that add strength and rigidity to withstand adverse freeze/thaw and site-settling conditions. Inserts also simplify the backfilling process and lock modules together to create a cohesive window well assembly. The interlocking modular design of the […]

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Oct
29

ADDIDRIVE SYSTEM DEBUTS on Putzmeister America, Inc.’s 70Z

The Addidrive system, the first of its kind in North America, is an innovative front drive system that provides over 12,000 pounds (5,443kg) of traction force to aunit’s tractor steer axles giving it an incredible 10×10 drive configuration. The system is featured on Putzmeister America, Inc.’s 70Z truck-mounted concrete boom pump. “With the ability to be activated on the fly, this feature is especially helpful when […]

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Oct
29

IMPROVED WALL SURFACES. Cleaner Forms & Cleaner Application. Lower Applied Cost.

Alumi-Con from Nox-Crete Products Group is a chemically reactive, low odor, low VOC, super concentrated form release agent specifically formulated for use on aluminum forms. Alumi-Con is Green Engineered™ and is manufactured to be safer for both the applicator and the environment through the use of safer raw materials. IMPROVED WALL SURFACES. Nox-Crete’s Alumi-Con off ers the consistent, quality performance expected of a Nox-Crete form […]

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Oct
29

WHEN QUALITY MEETS VALUE Zoomlion 40-meter Boom Pump

During the World of Concrete 2009, CIFA USA, Inc., the management group for Zoomlion America, introduced the new ZLJ 40X-4Z. Th is is the 1st concrete boom pump unit produced exclusively for the North American marketplace in cooperation of the two newly joined groups at their Milwaukee Wisconsin facility. “We planned the unit knowing that the American buyer not only looks for a great […]

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Magazine Issues

Mar
31

The Power of Following Up

You can get many of the things you want in life simply by following up. Follow up with that prospect that hasn’t returned your call. Follow up with your customer to let them know your men are on the jobsite. Follow up to ensure the concrete is on the way. Follow up with your employee/coworker […]

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Mar
31

Around The Association

It’s been a busy start to 2017 in this industry and certainly throughout CFA membership.  After a very productive and energy-packed World of Concrete, there have been some great developments and challenging progress made that we are proud to report on. New Members Everyone is encouraged by the growth of the Association.  When a new […]

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Mar
31

Trick of the Trade: The Step-Down Flow-Stop

This ‘Trick of the Trade’ is shared by Mary Wilson of Michel Concrete Inc. in Springfield, IL. Mary offers this solution in response to the challenge by CFA President, Dennis Purinton. Mary’s company is rewarded with 50 points to her member account to be redeemed for an upcoming registration, event or purchase. The tip comes […]

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Mar
31

Concrete Contractors Should Use the New (and Better) I-9 Form

Effective January 22, all US employers must be using the new version of Form I-9.   Although in its simplest format, the form is relatively unchanged, contractors can and should download the form from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services webpage and use the new form on a computer.  Use this link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 There are […]

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Jan
11

Opiates and Workers’ Compensation Injuries: Dangers and Solutions

In combating the epidemic of addiction, the U.S. Surgeon General has just announced plans to tackle alcohol and drug abuse, nationally—especially opioid addiction—urging doctors, policymakers and the public to ramp up efforts to combat the growing U.S. healthcare crisis.   The numbers are real!  Since 2000, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids—Fentanyl, Percocet, Vicodin, […]

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Jan
11

Trick of the Trade Corner: Labor Savings & Quality Improvement

This issue’s Trick of the Trade is shared by Andy Stachler of Stachler Concrete Inc. in St. Henry, Ohio.  Andy responded to last quarter’s column featuring the inside corner stripping tool offered by Dennis Purinton and answering the challenge by our President.  Andy’s tip has rewarded his member account with 50 points he can redeem […]

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Jan
11

Marijuana At Work

On November 8, four states approved the use of recreational marijuana bringing the total to eight states and the District of Columbia.  Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia had already approved recreational use.  California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada joined the recreation use states on November 8.   In addition, Arkansas, Florida, and North […]

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Jan
11

What’s In Your Wallet?

Another round of Capital One commercials are streaming across every form of my media these days. While I enjoy seeing the newest way to get (or prevent) a point across, it did give me a reason this week to pause and contemplate what it means for our industry. Seriously, what’s in your wallet (if I […]

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Jan
11

Association Board Adds New Leader

Beginning a new, three-year term on the CFA Board of Directors is Chris Ward, Vice President for the Americas with Western Forms of Kansas City, Missouri. Each year during the Annual Meeting for the Concrete Foundations Association, held in conjunction with the summer’s big event, transition takes place as Board members end their time in […]

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Jan
11

CFA Adds First Certified Contractor in North Carolina

The state of North Carolina is the latest state to lay claim to residential concrete foundations constructed by a concrete professional that has achieved the status of Certified Residential Foundation Company, Doggett Concrete Construction of Charlotte, North Carolina has been approved this fall having met all program requirements and has been elevated to certified status. […]

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Jan
11

Passing of CFA Member Lynn Berggren

Obituary:  Lynn Roland Berggren   Lynn Berggren was born Sept. 4, 1950, in Grand Island, to Myron and Margaret (Williams) Berggren.  He grew up with his two sisters and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1968. Lynn attended Kearney State College, where he met wife Jeanne. They graduated in May 1973, married in June, […]

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Jan
11

The Essentials of a Return to Work Program

Lost time is a term used by OSHA to describe the number days an injured employee is away from work, but lost money is what OSHA should really call it.  Each and every day an employee is away from work because of an injury or illness leads to greater losses to the employer and employee.  […]

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