The New American Home 2004 Steals the Show

For the first time since 1994, and with assistance from PCA and numerous industry partners, concrete provided the vast majority of the structural elements for The New American Home, the official Show Home of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Many of the more than 104,000 people who attended the 2004 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas got a first-hand look at a modern concrete marvel—The New American Home. An estimated 5,000 show attendees visited the home during the tours, which quickly sold out each day during the Show. Dozens of newspaper and magazine editors from across North America explored the home during a private press party. More

Concrete Pavilion a Success at NAHB

For the second year in a row, the Concrete Pavilion encompassed 11,400 square feet of floor space at The Builders' Show. Spearheaded by PCA, the pavilion included 31 other companies to form a concrete products area that has become well known by many who attend the show annually. Attendees could find information on everything from walls to flatwork to accessories. Many pavilion partners were pleased with both the number and quality of leads they obtained. More.

NAHB Forms New Council Covering Cement-Based Products

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has approved the formation of the NAHB Concrete Home Building Council, effective January 1, 2004. The new Council will become a resource for NAHB’s membership covering all cement-based products for the housing industry. Because of this, the scope and depth of our industry’s offerings are greater than any other NAHB Council. Cement-based materials are key components to NAHB’s builder membership. In addition to our ability to educate and train builders about concrete building systems and concrete product applications, our technical resources will prove invaluable to NAHB members. More.

Weber Elected Trustee for NCHI

During the National Council of the Housing Industry’s (NCHI) General Membership meeting held during the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael H. Weber, Director of Residential for the Portland Cement Association, was elected to a one-year term as Trustee. Having served as an Alternate Trustee for the last two years, Weber is excited about this new responsibility. More.

ICFA Successfully Defeats Proposed ICF Rule Change in Minnesota Building Code

The Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA), its members and allies, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) and Aggregate & Ready-Mixed Association of Minnesota (ARM), successfully defeated a proposed rule change that could have significantly altered the way the industry does business.

Recently, a proposed rule change was submitted to the Minnesota Building Codes and Standards Division calling for two "view ports," a piece of PVC pipe with a glass or plastic lens on the end, to be field installed on every 4-foot section of ICF block and panel. At $3 each, the view ports would have increased the cost of ICFs and job site labor dramatically. "With many ICF projects using hundreds and even thousands of blocks and panels, this could have seriously affected the price of using ICFs. The proposed rule change would have effectively meant the end of the ICF industry," says Joseph Lyman, Executive Director of ICFA. More.

ICFA to Celebrate its 10th Anniversary at ICFA Spring Meeting and Expo

From code advancements to product innovations, the Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA) will highlight accomplishments the industry has achieved over the past decade to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Held at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre April 26–28, 2004, the ICFA Spring Meeting and Expo will be filled with educational sessions and networking opportunities to help you succeed. More.

For more information or to register, click here.

Insulating Concrete Forms Construction: Demand, Evaluation & Technical Practice

Written by highly acclaimed ICF industry expert Dr. Pieter VanderWerf, this invaluable book walks contractors through both business and technical considerations in evaluating and adopting ICFs for both the residential and commercial markets.
LT282—$49.95

Concrete Homes Consumer Brochure

This 8-page, four-color brochure describes the durability, energy efficiency, sound reduction and disaster-resistant benefits that can be obtained from the use of residential concrete products. Among the products covered are structural concrete wall and flooring systems, decorative stained and stamped concrete flatwork, concrete roof tiles, basements and exterior concrete cladding. Sold in packs of 50.
PL999—$20

Bob Harris' Guide to Stained Concrete Floors

A 100-page, full-color resource with detailed information and practical tips on staining concrete interior floors. Published by the Decorative Concrete Institute, 2004. LT283—$35