Concrete Home Building Council - 04/21/2005 (Plain Text Version)

CHBC Chairman
Michael Weber

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In this issue:
Concrete Technologies Tour — Just Around the Corner
Do You Want to Learn More About ICF Construction?
Basement of the Year Awarded
Building Green with Pervious Concrete
Thomas Edison's Vision of Concrete Homes
Home Plans for Better Living
CHBC Cements Two New Nationwide Relationships
Tune In to See CHBC Members
Working Safely with Concrete
Concrete Briefs . . .

Concrete Briefs . . .

PCA Has a New Tech Brief
The Portland Cement Association recently published a tech brief, Concrete Homes Technology Brief — Concrete Roof Tiles, to inform the building industry and consumers of the value in having concrete roofs.

Concrete roof tiles most often last the lifetime of a house, typically carrying a limited lifetime, non-pro-rated, transferable warranty. They are Class A fire rated and resistant to damage from hail and high winds. Concrete roof tiles have grown more competitive in price, due in part to the rising costs of petroleum-based products such as asphalt shingles. Concrete roof tiles are available in many styles and color options, visit The Tile Roofing Institute to find out more. Visit the PCA Bookstore to get your free downloaded copy today.

NAHB 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas
Mark your calendars! Don't miss the 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas, November 3-5, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City. Attend the conference to gain valuable insight into the market and make critical housing industry connections in Mexico. The conference features an education program addressing key housing topics in Mexico including how to enter the housing market, Property Tours of high-end housing, Table-top Exhibits, and numerous networking opportunities.

Added Bonus: The first 100 registrants to the 3rd International Housing Conference in Mexico receive a complimentary full registration to the 2006 International Builders Show in Orlando, Fla., January 11-14.

Learn more about this exceptional conference series by clicking on: 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas; Tel. 800-368-5242 ex 8417 or e-mail: international@nahb.com.
See you in Mexico!

Portland Cement Releases February Producer Price Index

Lumber prices jumped 3.7% in February, while concrete products and asphalt rose 1.0% and 0.3% respectively. Steel mill product prices declined 0.2%, their first monthly drop since July of 2003.

Steel mill products stand at 37.7% higher than one year ago. Lumber is 7.3% higher, concrete is 9.4% and asphalt is 6.0% higher than one year ago.

The source of these data is the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data are provided by PCA market research to aid in the promotion of concrete and cement-based products.

American Polysteel Introduces a New Form to Product Line
Known for its steel tied insulating concrete forms, PolySteel has introduced a new form, PolyPro® Knock-down Flat Wall form. Polysteel will now offer both a steel and plastic tied product, giving them a comprehensive line of ICFs.

PolyPro® is designed as a knock-down ICF form that can be shipped as a flat panel and assembled on the job site in a variety of wall thicknesses from 4" to 24" and beyond. The result is an easier form to ship and inventory that also provides consumers with maximum flexibility in a more affordable ICF package. To learn more about this new product, visit PolySteel online.

PCA Issues First Standards Ballot
The Portland Cement Association issues its first ballot on Prescriptive Method for Design and Construction of Residential Concrete Walls. The standard is under development by PCA using an American National Standards Institute accredited process.

The standard provides prescriptive design and construction requirements for concrete walls of one and two-family dwellings. The ballot will close May 7, 2005. Copies of the draft standard are available for comment by contacting Karalin Derencius at 847-972-9024 or kderencius@cement.org.

Jim Dorr Takes Helm of Insulating Concrete Forms Association
The ICFA is pleased to announce the elevation of Jim Dorr, of Eco Block, LLC to the Chairmanship of the Association effective, March 31, 2005. As a result of the resignation of the previous Chairman, the Board of Directors has unanimously voted to place Jim in this position. "I am very pleased that the Board has moved quickly to maintain continuity in the management of the Association, and it speaks highly of the policies that the Board the ICFA have in put in place to keep the organization strong and moving forward with its strategic initiatives," stated Joe Lyman, ICFA Executive Director.

Jim, a graduate of Clarkson University with degree in mechanical engineering, has been in the ICF industry for 14 years and brings a wealth of experience to the position. Please welcome Jim to the position when you have the opportunity.

Building in a Bag
Using a cement-impregnated fabric dubbed “the concrete canvas,” two British engineers have invented a new method of building emergency shelters for war zones and areas devastated by natural disasters, reports Rowan Hooper in WIRED. The building is formed by adding water to the cement-impregnated fabric and inflating it. In 12 hours, the concrete tent has hardened and is ready for use. Read the complete article.