• 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 […]

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  • 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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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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 […]

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Feature

Mar
1

Garland Industries Acquires DryDog Barriers, Expands Line of Waterproofing Products

Garland Industries, Inc. recently acquired DryDog Barriers, LLC, a manufacturer of waterproofing products and related accessories for the residential and commercial marketplace, expanding its line of high-performance, below-grade waterproofing solutions for the building envelope. The DryDog line of products and services will be integrated into GMX, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Garland Industries and a leading manufacturer of waterproofing solutions […]

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Mar
1

2013 International Concrete Sustainability Conference Co-Sponsorship Agreement

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) and Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) are co-sponsoring the upcoming 2013 International Concrete Sustainability Conference scheduled for May 6-8, 2013 in San Francisco at the Hotel Sofitel. The Conference is designed to bring researchers and practitioners together to exchange the latest ideas, knowledge, and tools to build the future of concrete construction as it relates […]

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Mar
1

Cost Reduction Technology’s Solution to Musculoskeletal Disorder Injuries in the Construction Industry

Editor’s note: The information contained in this article is a demonstration of the efforts the CFA is putting forward toward the development of a revolutionary risk management program to assist companies in qualifying for and taking the greatest advantage of the Insurance Captive forming for this industry. After a successful introduction to this company during the 2006 CFA Annual Convention in Wisconsin, CRT has continued to strengthen their network and […]

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Mar
1

Robotic Systems for Layout — A Consultant’s View

It has been a while since any of us have even wanted to think about investing in more layout equipment or upgrading the current systems. Here are just a few ideas on the subject and things that you may want to consider: 1st…Relax, you did it right the first time Chances are your existing system (Geodimeter/Trimble 5600 systems or […]

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Mar
1

Content You Bring to the Market: What CFA Members Write About

The following discussion is an excerpt taken from a CFA Member newsletter. CFA members are becoming aggressive to their markets and supplying their customers with education and information to better inform them of the expertise that resides in their service. Marketing your company today needs to be about a lot more than just building the […]

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Mar
1

CFA WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS… ANOTHER GENERATION

Without a doubt, one of the most exciting aspects of remaining connected to a powerful industry organization is the evidence of evolution and the perspective that it brings to your business. Benjamin Franklin once said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” Certainly one can adamantly support this for the goals and challenges of an Association […]

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Magazine Issues

Aug
8

CFA Cold Weather Research Transitions to Contractors

Jim Baty, CFA Technical Director “You can feel it in the air, you can feel it on the breeze…” isn’t that how the song goes? For many contractors throughout the middle to upper states, cold weather is not only on the horizon, it is approaching rapidly. What better time for the CFA to finish production […]

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Aug
8

CFA Standard Updated

The CFA published the “2003 CFA Standard” in late 2002. It was our first attempt to present a wide variety of foundation construction information and minimum standards in a “code format” for use by our members, yet it goes well beyond the basic code approach. The Standard established a base-line for construction. It followed the […]

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Aug
8

The Tropics Call Contractor to Build Concrete Homes

By Wendy Shannon & Libbie Hough of Shannon & Company, a marketing communications firm for the Concrete Homes Council. K-Wall Poured Walls, Inc. is located in Traverse City, Michigan and has been in operation for the last 11 years. Kubica is the owner and president of K-Wall and is a man who loves to challenge […]

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Aug
8

Subcontractor Agreements – What Does This Mean to Subcontractors?

Doug Staebler, Custom Concrete Company, Inc., Westfield, IN Over the past year, there has been a marked increase in the use of subcontractor agreements in residential construction. Although these agreements were used for years in commercial construction, residential contractors often operated on handshake agreements. Like it or not, those days are probably gone for good, […]

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Aug
8

Building Officials Announce Change in Pressure Treated Lumber Materials

Ohio, as well as other states, recently warned residents and the building industry to be aware of the lumber, anchors, and fasteners used on their construction projects. The preservative-treated lumber used for the last 60 years was deemed unusable because it contains arsenic. It was replaced with a new preservative-treated lumber that contains a chemical […]

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Aug
8

Subcontractors, Beware! Your Assumptions Can Cost You

One of the most dangerous words in the English language for subcontractors is “assume.” For example, do you assume that your company will be reimbursed for costs incurred as a result of project delays caused by another subcontractor on a project or by the general contractor? If the subcontract document doesn’t say it and the […]

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Aug
8

Why all Poured Wall Contractors Should be Members

The CFA is a great group of men and women who are dedicated to the advancement of foundation contractors and the industry in which we work. Some are just starting up companies, while others have been around for years, some member companies are huge while others are very small, some appear tremendously organized and experienced, […]

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Aug
8

Building Codes – We can make a difference.

The CFA has been involved in the development of building codes for nearly ten years, beginning with its effort to add input to the ACI Residential Code. The CFA has also been a participant in the ACCS, the Alliance for Concrete Codes and Standards, a group of allied associations that meets biannually to review and […]

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Jun
6

Change in Lumber Affects Contractors

New preservative treated lumber requires new fasteners, bolts and anchors for most building applications. Ohio, as well as other states, recently warned residents and the building industry to be aware of the lumber, anchors, and fasteners used on their construction projects. The preservative-treated lumber used for the last 60 years was deemed unusable because it contains […]

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Jun
6

Construction Materials in Short Supply

As the construction season heats up for the summer, the economy improves and slow construction starts begin to turn around, report s are indicating possible cement shortages. In Florida, ready mix companies are on four-day-a-week allocations and California and other U.S. markets are also on or headed toward allocations. The domino effect is that demand […]

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Jun
6

MTSU Unveils Degree in Concrete Construction

Where does one go to learn how to run a concrete construction business? Not the nuts and bolts of building a footing or wall, those are still best taught on-the-job. I’m talking about finance, estimating, managing personnel, marketing… the things that can make or break a business even if you pour the best wall in […]

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Apr
4

CFA Announces 2004 Basement of the Year

Wendy Ward, Constructive Communication Today’s homeowners are constantly pushing the envelope to ensure their home meets their needs, which has caused concrete foundation professionals to respond with inventive techniques and employ new technologies. Such is the case with the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) 2004 Basement of the Year competition (sometimes referred to as the Basement from […]

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