• Overcoming Concrete Permeability with Multi-crystalline Technology

    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    By Mark Chew, VP Sales & Marketing US and Canada, ICC Distribution Group While many attributes of the concrete foundation industry have remained constant throughout the years, notable changes including technological advancements and the advent of Portland-limestone cement (PLC), or 1L concrete have introduced new challenges. Additionally, the inherent porosity of concrete makes it vulnerable […]

    Read More
  • 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 […]

    Read More
  • Happy Anniversary to Our Members!

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    As we close out 2025, the CFA celebrates four standout members who are marking significant anniversaries.

    Read More
  • Buck Bartley smiles at the camera while at a job site.

    CFA Charter Member Passes: Robert Taylor “Buck” Bartley, Jr. 1938-2025

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    The CFA commemorates the life of Robert “Buck” Bartley, one of the founding members of the association.

    Read More
  • Concrete Facts Magazine Spring 2025 Issue Now Available in Spanish

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025

    The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) is excited to highlight the Spanish-language edition of the latest issue of its industry magazine, Concrete Facts. Released quarterly in both English and Spanish, Concrete Facts delivers high-value insights, technical expertise and industry updates to English- and Spanish-speaking concrete professionals across North America and beyond. According to James Baty, Executive […]

    Read More

Feature

Jan
15

Confirming the Connection Detail for a Residential Footing

As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine, January/February 2017. This column is an expansion of the footing detail discussion offered in the December 2016 edition. In this issue, a CFA member asks for an interpretation of the cover requirements for dowels in a footing used to provide connection between the concrete footing and the foundation wall. […]

Read More
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, […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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. […]

Read More
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, […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
Aug
3

2012 Projects of the Year: Single Family Residence

Single Family Home Canton Herbert Construction Co. Canton, Georgia   Herbert Construction Co. of Marietta, Georgia is a Project of the Year winner for the foundation of a 19,942 square foot home currently under construction in Canton, Georgia. When the homeowners purchase an entire new subdivision to build their home, you know the house will […]

Read More
Aug
3

2012 Projects of the Year: Single Family Residence

Single Family Residence Chenequa Coello & Associates, Inc. Chenequa, Wisconsin   Coello & Associates, Inc. of Waukesha, Wisconsin is one of the winners of the Project of the Year category.  Their foundation for a 9,543 square foot home in Chenequa, Wisconsin is a testament to the fact that concrete can be very attractive. Great care […]

Read More
Aug
3

2012 Projects of the Year Overall Grand Project: Single Family Residence

Overall Grand Project, Single Family Residence La Jolla Ekedal Concrete, Inc La Jolla, California   Ekedal Concrete, Inc. from Newport Beach, California is the winner of the overall grand prize for a massive single-family home foundation they completed in La Jolla, California. The foundation for the 8,700 square foot home looked more like a commercial […]

Read More
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; […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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, […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More