• 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

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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Mar
12

CertainTeed® T-Roc™ Foundation Insulation System Achieves ICC-ES Approval

Leading North American building products manufacturer, CertainTeed Corporation, has received an evaluation report from ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. (ICC-ES), confirming that T-Roc™ Foundation Insulation System is building code compliant. T-Roc enables building professionals to bypass several costly, time-intensive tasks required to turn foundation walls into finished walls as part of a livable basement space. Through the analysis of […]

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Mar
12

Irving Equipment is the new CIFA dealer

As 2012 begins, Cifa announces its new business strategy for the North American area. The historic Italian concrete machinery company, previously represented by its subsidiary Cifa USA, has appointed Irving Equipment LLC as its new sole dealer for the US market, with the aim of meeting new requirements on a market that is starting to show signs of […]

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Mar
12

CFA ANNOUNCES PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT

We are saddened about the loss of CFA member and past-president Travis Gene Gloyd, 70, of Fort Wayne who passed away February 27, 2012. Born on December 9, 1941 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late Robert and Evlyn Gloyd. He graduated in 1961 from Huntertown High School. Travis worked at GE for 5 years. […]

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Mar
12

12 TIPS For Preventing Back Injuries In Construction

25% of construction injuries are back injuries, so it’s worth planning, equipping and staffing sites to preserve back health The Center for Construction Research and Training says the construction industry has the highest incident rate of back injuries of any industry except transportation. Of all the construction-related injuries that occur each year, 25% of them are back injuries. Every […]

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Magazine Issues

Dec
17

Coastal Homes with Staying Power Coming to the Carolina Coast

Uniquely Disaster-Resistant Cast-in-place concrete homes promise to be the home of the future Topsail Island, a prized vacation and living destination on North Carolina’s Treasure Coast, will now feature a cluster of innovative homes of the future built to endure the region’s hurricane season with unparalleled luxury and comfort. Security Building Group (SBG) has six […]

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Sep
26

Bartley Receives Sawyer Award

Robert “Buck” Bartley of The Bartley Corporation was awarded the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award at the CFA annual awards luncheon August 2 at The Resort at the Mountain in Welches, Oregon. Buck, co-founder of The Bartley Corporation of Ashton, Maryland, is recognized for his devotion to the industry over several decades. He and […]

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Sep
25

Poured Walls Achieve Thermal Performance Equal to ICFs (with half the insulation)

The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) participated in a Portland Cement Association (PCA) research project this past year studying the dynamic behavior of multiple wall systems. The conclusions from this report, PCA Residential Construction Energy Study For PCA R&D Serial No. 2518, are very beneficial for the contractors that are represented by our association. This article […]

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Sep
25

Easton Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The CFA presented Jack Easton, owner and co-founder of Durand Forms, Inc. of Durand, Michigan its first Lifetime Achievement Award at the CFA Summer Meeting luncheon in Niagara Falls, Canada last July. Easton was recognized as a leader in the concrete and aluminum forms industry. The award was presented by long-time Durand salesman and former […]

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Sep
25

CFA Directors Elected

Two new directors were elected and two incumbents were reelected at the CFA Annual meeting held in conjunction with the Summer Meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Reelected to three year terms were Arie Van Wyk, Van Wyk’s, Inc. of Waldo, Wisconsin and Gary Moore of Moore & Cormier Construction, Ltd., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Elected to […]

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Sep
25

Understanding Fabric Formwork

The use of fabric to form concrete is a very new technology. In fact, one of the first articles published on this method appeared in the October 1998 issue of “Concrete Facts”. Since that article appeared, considerable progress has been made, and fabric forming is finding various economic applications throughout North America. This article will […]

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Aug
13

CFA Announces Foundation Fundamentals Venues

The Concrete Foundations Association announced the venues for the next two Foundation Fundamentals Seminars. The fall seminar will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2002 at the Richmond Marriott West, located at 4240 Dominion Blvd. Glen Allen, Virginia. The seminar will have a slightly different twist than previous seminars in that the noon luncheon will […]

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Aug
13

The Building Code Process

Adoption of Codes The development of building codes is an ever evolving and ever changing process. It can be mystifying and frustrating to even those who understand the process. Most wall contractors operate under one of the current standard building codes, primarily the Uniform Building or the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling code. If […]

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Aug
13

CFA/CHC in New Trade Shows

The CFA and the CHC will make appearances in two new trade shows this coming fall. These efforts are part of an expanded initiative to increase awareness of not only concrete in homes and bases but also the activities of the CFA and its alliance, the Concrete Homes Council. Both shows are inaugural events. The […]

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Aug
13

Abfalter Brothers Concrete

“It is really quite simple,” said Gib Abfalter, president of Abfalter Brothers Concrete. “Customer satisfaction is a key priority and our goal is to ensure that our customers don’t have to make a lot of phone calls to get the job done.” A member of CFA since 1996, this business approach has allowed the Abfalter […]

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Aug
13

Cold Weather Protection Procedures for Footings, Foundations, and Retaining Walls

Cold weather concreting is becoming a topic that has the potential to substantially affect nearly every contractor in the CFA. This past year alone, members in Ohio experienced the frustration that can develop when misinterpretation of the ACI requirements for cold weather occurs. Based on this and similar occurrences over the past few years, the […]

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Aug
12

CFA Presents Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Buck Bartley

MT. VERNON, IOWA (Aug. 12, 2002) The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA), an organization dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in place concrete foundations, recently presented its Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Robert “Buck” Bartley at the CFA annual awards luncheon held Aug. 2. Bartley, co-founder of The Bartley Corporation of Ashton, […]

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