• 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
12

PART II: IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME… Taking the next step.

In the last edition of Concrete Facts you were given some simple instructions to some very valuable assets for connecting with your Association and peers during a time when the economy makes travel difficult. Being able to plug in to discussions is the most inexpensive decision you can make to provide tools for progress in today’s market. So, I […]

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Mar
12

Our Customers

Spring is in full bloom as you read this (and as I write it, with 65 degree temperatures in February). Hopefully, the phones are starting to ring and work is beginning to pick up for us all. If you recall my last letter, you know I will be elaborating on the second leg of our mission statement […]

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Dec
22

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute Recommends Return to Inch-Pound

At their recent meeting on November 9, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) Board of Directors urged all CRSI producer members to revert to an inch-pound bar marking system for all sizes and grades of deformed reinforcing steel products. CRSI members produce more than 90% of domestic reinforcing steel. The intention of this resolution is for all new rollings of reinforcing steel […]

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Dec
20

Fall Protection Systems in Residential Construction:FORMWORK SCAFFOLD BRACKETS – A Feasibility Study

Dear CFA Members- In the wake of last year’s decision by OSHA to rescind the rule allowing residential contractors to walk atop concrete walls, I know that many of you have searched for a feasible way to be OSHA compliant and most have found nothing. Could that be because walking atop formwork is the safest way to accomplish the […]

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Dec
20

OSHA Videos Focus On How To Protect Construction Workers

Two- to four-minute videos (English and Spanish versions) cover falls, workers struck by vehicles, sprain and strain injuries, trenching and excavation hazards, and carbon monoxide poisoning Created: November 14, 2011 The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released 13 educational videos http://www.osha.gov/dts/vtools/construction.html about potential hazards in the construction industry. The educational videos are easy to understand, […]

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Dec
20

Why I Remain A Member!

The CFA has been a volunteer choice for our business and my family for 25 years. We’ve been involved as directors on the CFA Board, we’ve been to countless events like the Summer Convention and we put a lot of effort into being a CFA member. For years, we’ve not been shy in stating that we get far more […]

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Magazine Issues

Jun
13

Concrete Homes – It’s not a Question of If – but a Question of When

As the most innovative and progressive poured wall contractors in the US and Canada, the members of the CFA have always thought in what ways they can expand and make their companies more successful. This success has normally occurred through the training and retention of personnel and acquisition of additional equipment. Now that the economy […]

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Jun
13

Jack Easton “RETIRES” From Durand Forms, Inc.!

Durand Forms, Inc. announces the retirement of long time owner and co-founder, Jack Easton. This announcement became final on March 14, 2001; shortly after Jack’s favorite time of the year “World Of Concrete”. Jack has been a leader in the aluminum forming industry and a strong member and supporter of the CFA since 1977. Jack […]

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Jun
13

World of Concrete 2001 Draws 77,225

The construction industry’s largest annual international trade show held February 26 to March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada drew a record crowd this year. More than 77,000 construction professionals from 105 countries registered for the five-day event at the Las Vegas Convention Center In both attendance and size, this was the largest World of Concrete […]

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Jun
5

Student Selects Foundations as Science Fair Project

We all know and understand the importance of foundations. For one student at Bible Baptist School, the importance of foundations was so exciting she wanted to share it with her fellow classmates. Rebekkah Stanko, an 8th grader, wrote a paper and conducted an experiment on different types of foundations for her science fair project. Her […]

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Mar
16

Scott Smith Named Contractor of the Year

Scott Smith of Modern Poured Walls, LaGrange, Ohio was named contractor of the year at the CFA Annual Winter meeting held in conjunction with the World of Concrete, Las Vegas, Nevada. The contractor of the year award recognizes an individual or company that exemplifies the ideals, goals, and standards of the association. Scott Smith, with […]

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Mar
16

CFA and PCA Cast-In-Place Concrete Homes Brochure

In an effort of cooperation to grow the traditionally formed cast-in-place concrete homes market, the Concrete Foundations Association and the Portland Cement Association have produced a new brochure promoting the benefits of above grade concrete homes using traditional forming methods. The brochure was introduced at the National Association of Home Builders annual show recently in […]

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Mar
16

Pyramid Poured Walls, Inc., Forked River, NJ

The beautiful new home for Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Crofoot in Toms River, New Jersey, was one of 2000’s most challenging projects for Pyramid Poured Walls Inc. of Forked River, NJ. John Winton General Contracting was the builder. The home took four days overall to do the layout for footings and walls. The majority of […]

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Mar
16

Solid Foundations, Inc., Bellevue, Ohio

We have jus completed our tenth year in business, and this one put us to the test,” said Daniel and Valerie Gore of Solid Foundations, Inc. located in Bellevue, Ohio. They were referring to a job on a home in Sandusky, Ohio, which but required 500 yards of concrete and 25 tons of steel. “This […]

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Mar
16

Modern Poured Walls, Lagrange, Ohio

Modern Poured Walls Construction Services of Lagrange, Ohio, had an interesting project last summer for Bennett-Dover Home Remodelers of Lorain, Ohio. The Zeller residence in Lorain, which is designed with numerous angles, required wall heights, two widths, 425 feet of brick ledge, and 57 corners. The job took three estimates, five major print revisions, and […]

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Mar
16

Custom Concrete Company, Westfield, Indiana

Custom Concrete Company of Westfield, Indiana, submitted to our basement competition a residential project from their are that included on very unusual detail–this home has a basketball court under the garage! Built on a gentle slope down to a lake, the walls for the basketball court are 16 inches thick and 22 feet tall. There […]

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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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