• 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

Magazine Issues

Mar
16

Bontrager Concrete Specialists, Nappanee, Indiana

Bontrager Concrete Specialities Inc. of Nappanee, Indiana, considered their most challenging project for 2000 to be the residence of the Sheperd family in Bristol, IN. This home is set on a wooded but fairly level lot, but it contains many angles and some special features, such as a theatre in the basement level. Kevin Bontrager […]

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Mar
16

Loucks Concrete Specialists, La Porte, Indiana

While not the largest job of the year, a residential job at the exclusive Aberdeen Subdivision in Valparaiso, Indiana, was definitely one of the most challenging of the year for Loucks Concrete Specialists of La Porte, IN. This 4,500 square foot home is carved into the side of a hill, the walls varying from three […]

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Mar
16

Formco Foundations, West Jordan, Utah

On a mountainous lot in The Colony residential development in Park City, Utah, lies the foundation that Formco Foundations considers its “basement from hell” for 2000. Kirby Justesen, president of Formco, which is located in West Jordan, UT, gave us the statistics on this job: 698 yards for the foundation walls, 408 yards for the […]

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Mar
16

Balmer Brothers, Akron, PA

Folks must be making money in Philly, because one notable basement project last year was for a 29,000 square foot house in Philadelphia. Not as beg as Bill Gates’ house, but still plenty romy. Balmer Brothers Concrete Work of Akron, PA, noted that some of the difficulties in this job were the circular stairways, angled […]

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Mar
16

CFA to Fund Energy Study

The CFA Board of Directors voted at their board meeting in Las Vegas to donate $3000 from the CFA Education and Research foundation to partially fund a study of the energy benefits of building with removable-form wall systems. The study, with a total cost of $15,000, is part of a PCA funded project that will […]

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Mar
16

Balmer Brothers Wins Basement of the Year Award

Balmer Brothers Concrete Works, Inc. of Akron, Pennsylvania was voted the winner of the 2000 Basement of the Year (Basement from Hell) Award. Over 160 votes were cast between Tuesday and Thursday in the CFA booth at the World of Concrete and their 29,000 square foot basement was the odds-on (this is Las Vegas) favorite. […]

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Sep
25

Record Attendance at Summer Meeting

Summer in Niagara Falls, Ontario is not nearly as warm as summer in southern Missouri. Just ask the record crowd that attended the annual CFA summer meeting held from July 26th through the 28th at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Ontario. There were no complaints about the heat. The hotel offered some magnificent views […]

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