2006 CFA Media Coverage

Tech Talk - Energy performance of RCF concrete homes Part II
In this article, we will cover air infiltration, control and introduction of fresh air, and the sizing of mechanical systems for concrete homes. The previous article in this series explained the effect of thermal mass on comfort, heating and cooling in RCF (Removable Concrete Form) concrete homes. Position of mass and insulation was discussed. In this article, we will cover air infiltration, control and introduction of fresh air, and the sizing of mechanical systems for concrete homes.

The Changing Residential Market
Gone are the days when residential construction consisted of deep-seated relationships between local firms. The housing industry has changed dramatically as large home building companies have expanded in number, size and geography. This has led to bigger, more powerful companies dictating the terms of work, which requires today's poured wall foundation contractors to adapt to these changing market conditions. Understanding the changing dynamics of residential construction and being willing to alter your business to accommodate them will be essential for future success.

Poured Wall Contractors May be Leaving Profits Behind
Poured wall contractors who leave the below-grade foundation wall waterproofing to another contractor may be leaving incremental profits behind when they pull away from the jobsite.

Removable Concrete Form Systems…
When you walk up to a home or walk in the front door, what is it that attracts your attention? Do you find the spaces, the light or the colors calling your eyes to look or are you intrigued by the finer elements that show the care taken during construction?

Top Ten Myths in Concrete Construction
Myths and misconceptions are rampant in the concrete construction business. After a while, some of these myths take on a life of their own and everyone starts to take them for granted. In this article, we take a revealing look at ten popular, but completely wrong, myths that still make the rounds in concrete construction.

No Oklahoma Wind Comes Sweepin’ Down These Homes
At 10,000 and 8,500 square feet this pair of all-concrete homes is defining durability and security in the windswept plains of the Central U.S.

Conquering the “Dragon House”
It was a foundation with so many twists and turns that the crews who worked on it named it "The Dragon House." The structure, a 5,964-sq.-ft. basement in Easton Township, Pa., was selected by the Concrete Foundations Association as the Basement of the Year. With a multitude of corners, T-walls and Y-Sections, the basement stood out from the average residential foundation.

Managing Cross-Cultural Crews
The melting pot that is America finds people from different cultures working together, particularly on construction sites. While early immigrants were usually from Italy, Ireland, Poland and other European countries, today's non-native workers are most likely to come from Mexico and other Hispanic countries. Concrete contractors are faced with the challenge of blending the best of the traditional American work ethic with the work practices of these newer arrivals.

Dragon House Basement Scorches the Competition
The “Dragon House,” a 5,964-square-foot complex basement with garden walls, curved walls, stone ledges, jumps, a multitude of corners ― and very few right angles — won the Concrete Foundations Association’s (CFA) 2006 Basement of the Year competition. Alternately known as “The Spaceship,” the basement of the Hattersley residence in Eastown Township, Pa. was built by foundation contractor Balmer Brothers Concrete Work, Inc., of Akron, Pa. Article also features the 2nd place project by Louisberg Foundations and the 3rd place project by Marone Contractors, Inc.

A New Form of Home Building
The big equipment comes in to pour concrete into the forms used to construct the insulated home. A crew from Insulated Concrete Structures and oversight by employees of Western Forms make sure the pour from Red River Concrete of Duncan goes smoothly.

CFA’s Cold Weather Research
Local members of the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) have been touring Ohio informing audiences of some very important research that they conducted in our state in 2003. Audiences have included builders, building officials, architects and engineers. The CFA Cold Weather Research Report 2004 is aimed at improving the knowledge base used to define building codes affecting cold weather wall construction.

CFA Details Summer Meeting
The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA), an international association dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations, will gather for its annual summer meeting in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. from July 19-22 at the Kalahari Resort.

‘Dragon House’ Basement Scorches the Competition
The “Dragon House,” a 5,964-square-foot complex basement with garden walls, curved walls, stone ledges, jumps, a multitude of corners ― and very few right angles — won the CFA 2006 Basement of the Year competition. Alternately known as “The Spaceship,” the basement of the Hattersley residence in Eastown Township, Pa. was built by foundation contractor Balmer Brothers Concrete Work, Inc., of Akron, PA...

CFA Awards
The Concrete Foundation Association recently presented its 2006 Contractor of the Year Award to Arie Van Wyk. Van Wyk, president of Van Wyks, Inc. in Waldo, Wis., is known throughout the industry as a dedicated contractor who enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. A member of CFA for 27 years, Van Wyk served on the CFA board of directors for 14 years. He was selected for this award for his commitment to innovation and willingness to assist those getting started in the business.

Safety Setting Concrete Boom Pump Outriggers
Setting the outriggers of a concrete pump with a placing boom is one of the most critical jobs of the concrete pump operator and should always be done in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended procedure. If not done properly, it can lead to a serious accident. Tip-over accidents can be avoided if people take precautions when the unit is set up. Both operators and contractors must be aware of the potential danger that exists when a large boom is unfolded and extended over outriggers. If the contractor remembers to offer additional cribbing and if the operator remembers to ask for it when it isn't offered, the problem can be minimized even before the boom is extended.

Foundation Contractor Saves Time with Stay-in-Place Footing Forms
With years of experience in his field, pouring foundations is second nature to concrete contractor Dave Detweiler. Daily operations began running even smoother, though, about seven years ago, when he decided to try a new kind of footing form on one of his projects.

Built Like a Bank Vault, Concrete Houses Promise Storm Strength
Steel-reinforced concrete has been a mainstay of industrial construction for a long time. But this incredibly durable material hasn't been used to anywhere near its potential in residential buildings.  This is likely to change as home buyers in hurricane-prone areas demand greater security, said Harold Muxlow, a Charlotte County home builder since 1983. Muxlow is trying to change some consumer perceptions by building two model homes on adjacent lots on Darby Drive in Port Charlotte.

Modern Marvels:  "The Basement"
Venture down that creaky staircase to explore the most misunderstood room in the house! From Pompeii to Pittsburgh, the dark, cool, and often forlorn spaces beneath our living quarters have always helped us live more comfortably.  Ancient Hittites, Phrygians, and Persians carved subterranean rooms for food, water, and wine storage, and for shelter from weather and marauders. For ancient Greeks and Romans, a basement greatly increased a house's value. Ruins of homes at Pompeii reveal the importance of basements in providing both heat and storage for rich Roman families. Renaissance architects placed kitchens, servant quarters, and laundry rooms there, hidden from the eyes of their aristocratic patrons. Colonial Americans expanded the practice, with a typical protestant thriftiness, and by the 20th century, the basement was a common feature of American homes.  Come along as MODERN MARVELS® demystifies the domestic underworld.  AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON DVD.

A New Kind of Concrete Code
Construction codes can often be a source of frustration for designers and contractors. Codes provide the minimum requirements to ensure that structures withstand the test of time and provide life safety. However, codes can become so complex that implementing them causes struggles that delay work, or worse yet, halt it indefinitely and often needlessly.

Basement from Hell, 2nd Place – Louisburg Foundation of Bucyrus, KS
Local members of the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) have been touring Ohio informing audiences of some very important research that they conducted in our state in 2003. Audiences have included builders, building officials, architects and engineers. The CFA Cold Weather Research Report 2004 is aimed at improving the knowledge base used to define building codes affecting cold weather wall construction.

This document is archived here with permission from the Concrete Promotional Group of Greater Kansas City.

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