• 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

Feb
5

Removable Concrete Forms for Concrete HomesGaining Popularity Among More CFA Members

Every year, concrete professionals from around the country convene in Las Vegas for the industry’s premier trade show, World of Concrete. World of Concrete 2006 featured over 1,800 exhibitors, crowds in excess of 80,000 and over 800,000 square feet of exhibition space, arguably the most successful turnout in the show’s history. Never ones to miss […]

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Feb
5

Contractor of the Year

One of CFA’s top awards ‘The Contractor of the Year’, selected by the Board of Directors, is given to a CFA member who demonstrates the service, technology and knowledge needed to advance the use of poured wall construction. ——————– A 27-year CFA member known as an innovator in the poured wall industry, Arie Van Wyk, […]

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Feb
5

Basement of the Year 2nd and 3rd Place Wins

#2 WINNER JEFF TRAGESER, LOUISBURG FOUNDATION ———————- Jeff Trageser Louisburg Foundation Bucyrus, Kansas frotrageser76@aol.com   Louisburg Foundation was started about 37 years ago by Jeff Tregeser’s grandfather, then taken over by Jeff ’s dad. Jeff is a 3rd generation member of the company. Louisburg Foundation has 18 employees and serves Johnson County, Kansas.   Louisburg Foundation is a new member to CFA, just […]

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Feb
5

3rd Win for Balmer Brothers — CFA Basement of the Year

#1 Winner Jerry Balmer, Balmer Brothers Concrete Works, Inc. ——————— Balmer Brothers Akron, PA Contact: Jerry Balmer http://www.balmerbros.com   What started as two brothers pouring sidewalks and curbs in the summer months in 1973 has become a successful company that has found a niche in upscale, large, unique and complex foundations in the Philadelphia area.   Today they have 4 […]

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Dec
6

Providing Improved Product Availability and First Class Services

With over 90 years of experience in the steel industry, Armtec can attribute it’s success to a team of valued employees who provide innovative solutions through a diverse line of quality products, exceptional customer service and effective communication. Armtec is a manufacturer and distributor of steel and high density polyethylene (HDPE) construction products for use […]

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Dec
6

A One-Stop Shop

Griffin Masonry truly is a one-stop shop for homebuilders. Customers can consolidate five calls into one. Griffin Masonry provides masonry (brick and block), concrete basement walls, concrete finishing, brick cleaning, and stone masonry. They also have other divisions that provide concrete pumping (Griffin Concrete Placement), concrete mixer trucks (Blue Dot readi-mix) and commercial masonry (Old […]

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Magazine Issues

Sep
17

35 Ways to Reduce the Expenses of Your Construction Firm

Across the United States, contractors report “hitting the wall” of minimal cash in the bank and project prospects. It is time for survival. Look no further than construction employment stagnation. Business expansion has not included the contracting community.  The basic rule “don’t run out of cash” takes on a whole new urgency. As you fight […]

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Sep
17

Survey Results: Future CFA Summer Convention Vision

At opportune times during the year, we conduct surveys with you to keep us informed and connected to the collective ideas of this membership body. Surveys are just one of the many tools that we and the CFA Board employ to best prepare and steer our decisions for events and programs as well as identifying […]

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Jun
8

Should the CFA Expand Its Scope?

The Concrete Foundations Association has always been about residential foundations. While all of our members are involved in some aspect of the residential foundation industry, many of them perform other types of work in both the residential and commercial markets. It has become a necessity in order to survive in the current economy. CFA members perform grading, excavation, and backfill; […]

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Jun
8

Our Community

The 2012 CFA Summer Convention is fast approaching, and with it, perhaps one of the best investments of time and money a concrete contractor could ever make. The energy, vision and camaraderie of a summer meeting all join together to make us better business owners, and better persons. If you have not already done so, let me encourage you […]

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Jun
6

Bilco Partners With Menards®, Expands Presence in Midwest

The Bilco Company is pleased to announce a new partnership with Menards®, a chain of well-known home improvement stores throughout the Midwest. Menards offers a complete selection of high-quality, name-brand merchandise, tools, appliances and lawn and garden supplies. “As homeowner and contractor buying habits evolve, Bilco needs to evolve with them and make its products available through these […]

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Jun
6

Katie Price assumes role of Eastern Region Sales Coordinator with Thermomass®

Thermomass®, a leading manufacturer of concrete building insulation systems, is proud to announce Katie Price has joined the company as Eastern Region Sales Coordinator. Price will have the primary responsibility of coordinating sales for Thermomass’ insulation systems in the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Rhode Island, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Virginia, […]

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Jun
6

CertainTeed Products Help Create High-Performance Foundation for New Missouri Mansion

CertainTeed’s Platon® waterproofing membrane and Form-A-Drain™ foundation footing system recently contributed to a waterproof, radon-vented basement foundation for Pensmore, a highly sustainable mansion currently being built in Highlandville, Mo., nestled in the scenic Ozark Mountains. With Pensmore, Steven T. Huff, chairman of Wisconsin-based concrete company TF Forming Systems hopes to use his chateau-like, 72,000-square-foot home as somewhat of a lab for […]

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Jun
6

New, Lightweight 56Z Truck-Mounted Concrete Boom Pump

Putzmeister America, Inc. has announced it will introduce its new, lightweight 56Z-Meter Truck-Mounted Concrete Boom Pump during 2012. The new pump’s innovative, compact design will offer a reduced unit weight and a smaller footprint, while accommodating a long reaching boom. “The product advances found in the new 42Z-Meter model have now been extended into the 50-meter class,” says Jim Bury, director of engineering for […]

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Jun
6

OSHA MEMORANDUM — RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION FALL PROGRAM

September 22, 2011 MEMORANDUM FOR: OSHA REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS FROM: DAVID MICHAELS, PhD, MPH SUBJECT: Residential Construction Fall Protection Effective immediately and until March 15, 2012, the following general policy guidance is to be followed Construction, STD 03-11-002) and for compliance assistance related to that directive. Please share this information with the State Plans and On-site Consultation Projects […]

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Jun
6

CFA Members Tour Bilco’s Manufacturing Facility

Sixteen members of the Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) from around the county recently attended an open house tour of The Bilco Company’s Zanesville, Ohio manufacturing facility. The group learned more about the company’s history, technology and residential product line. The facility houses both blow-molding and injection-molding equipment used to manufacture Bilco’s line of polyethylene products for the residential market. These products […]

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Jun
6

CFA Projects of the Year

Each year the Concrete Foundation Association of North America (CFA) calls for entries to its Project of the Year contest. The entries are voted on and chosen by CFA members through an online ballot that runs for several weeks. This year’s entries were all very large residential projects worthy of multiple awards. The winners will be recognized at […]

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Jun
6

Honoring Wendy Ward

It is with great sadness that the Constructive Communication, Inc. team shares with you that Wendy Ward, Senior Vice President, passed away Friday night, May 17 at the age of 32. She is survived by her husband Chris, daughter Caroline (6) and son Jack (3). For the last two years, Wendy has bravely fought breast cancer. During […]

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