BSC Showcase Awards Deadline Extended

The BSC Excellence in Marketing & Home Design Awards are the only nationwide awards program recognizing each facet of the systems-built housing industry. The competition is open to BSC member manufacturers, associates, and any NAHB builder member using systems-built housing.

Complete awards information, including award categories, entry forms and entry guidelines are available on the BSC Awards Resource Page. Award winners will be announced during a special ceremony at SHOWCASE 2004 before the grand opening of the Exhibit Hall. Winners will have their materials displayed during SHOWCASE 2004, published in The Systems-Built Advantage, NBN Online, Building Systems Magazine, in press releases to the nation's real estate community, and posted on NAHB's Web site for one year. At just $50 per entry ($25 for the builder categories), entering the BSC Excellence Awards is a steal!

If you have questions or would like more information about the awards, visit the NAHB Web site, or call 800-368-5242 x8576.

HVAC Sizing for Concrete Homes


Developed as part of a HUD-sponsored project, this software provides an alternative means of estimating heating and cooling system capacities for single-family concrete homes. The software calculates the system capacities based on the house dimensions, construction materials, location (U.S. and Canada) and thermostat set point. Based on U.S. Department of Energy 2.1E calculation engine and various ASHRAE standards.

To purchase your copy visit NAHB Builder Books.

See Your Dream Concrete

Visit www.concretelifestyles.com and the virtual concrete designer. This Web site was launched by Degussa geared toward home builders and home owners. The virtual concrete designer includes eight views of driveways, pool decks and patios. It provides the viewer to choose different colors and stamping patterns.

xLerator™ Solves Traditional ICF Ledge Form Reinforcement Problems

During the research and development process for their recently introduced ledge form,
Reward Wall Systems, Inc., CHBC member, discovered that the commonly recommended way of reinforcing manufactured insulating concrete form (ICF) brick ledges and ledge forms fails to satisfy American Concrete Institute (ACI) guidelines. As a result of this discovery, Reward invented a whole new product for reinforcing its new ledge form, and significantly improved the way ledge
forms should be reinforced from now on.

xLerator is a patent pending galvanized welded wire reinforcement piece that simply drops into the pre-formed reinforcement slot in Reward’s ledgeform and provides maximum strength in every corbel, or concrete pocket, within the form.

For more information, visit www.rewardwalls.com.

Outinard Builds in Key West

Outinord Universal Inc., CHBC member, supplied tunnel formwork to the all concrete structural shells of the luxurious Sea Side Residences in Key West, FL. The developer, The Argonaut Group of Key West, and builder, Current Builders of Pompano Beach, chose concrete as the building material for strength and resistance to flood waters, hurricane force winds, pests, sound transmission, humidity and fire. 

The 96 townhomes feature private elevators, concrete circular stairs, lofted ceilings, with beautiful views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the protected wetlands of Key West.  Pastel colored concrete, galvanized tin roofs, and large balcony square footage match the neighboring architecture of the island.  Being the last new building permits on Key West until 2010, this property is near sold out.

Web Site Has Stucco Covered

In response to many technical inquires on stucco, the Portland Cement Association has added a stucco section to its Web site with basic information on materials and installation, color and texture, repair, frequently asked questions, and other resources. Visit www.cement.org. 

New Residential Wall Standard Will Remove Market Barriers

The Portland Cement Association is developing its own standard on residential concrete wall systems to address the failure of current standards to include insulating concrete forms (ICF). In accordance with the consensus standard process, the committee will develop a standard on the prescriptive method for design and construction of residential concrete walls. The first draft of the standard is based on the PCA publication, Prescriptive Method for Insulating Concrete Forms in Residential Construction.

World of Concrete
Visit the Concrete Home Building Council at the 2005 World of Concrete in Las Vegas immediately following the International Builders Show.
  [ return to top ]