House Foundation Types - A Complete Guide
As experts in construction and landscape machines, we often receive questions about the house foundation. How do you build it, which equipment do you use, and if they are even necessary? That is why, today, we would like to devote a few paragraphs to stressing the importance of a solid house foundation and guide you on the types of foundations.
Table of Contents:
- What is a House Foundation?
- Factors to Consider When Building a House Foundation
- What are Home Foundation Types?
- Summary
What is a House Foundation?
The main function of a building foundation is to evenly distribute the entire weight of a home across the area it lies on. Such structural stability also allows the building for an even settling. The foundation is the so-called bedrock of the whole structure. Without it, the house would not remain upright and secure, and adverse conditions (heavy downfall, strong wind, earthquake) could easily cause its collapse. Structural issues are a serious matter, as they can and most probably will only show over time. That is why it is important to ensure your house foundation is well-built. Another crucial foundation advantage is protection against moisture. Thanks to that, your home is not in danger of water damage and the development of mold.
Of course, there are many other beneficial factors a good house foundation brings. However, the question of how to build a good house foundation arises. There are several factors one must consider to build a solid construction.
Factors to Consider When Building a House Foundation
Structural integrity, longevity, and safety of your house are all at stake when considering an adequate foundation for a building. That is why this critical decision must be based on certain factors that ensure your foundation meets the particular needs and conditions. Have a look below to find out which factors are the most important to consider.
The Type of Soil
It is no surprise, that soil type plays a crucial role when it comes to any work in the ground. Building a foundation is no different. Therefore, choosing the appropriate type of foundation for the soil your property is situated on, is the main factor you must consider. Different soils have different drainage capabilities, and load-bearing capacities, and such factors contribute greatly to the foundation’s stability and durability.
Water Table Level
Your home foundation is also impacted by the water table level of the area. If the water tables are high, you may need to undertake some waterproofing measures or choose foundation types that are more water-damage resistant.
Climate Type
Climate is another crucial factor that influences how well a house foundation works. Temperature and precipitation levels change, and nowadays, it is easier to experience floods, blizzards, and earthquakes than it used to be. It is of utmost importance to choose the foundations that perform well in the climate you live in. Such constructions will provide flawless protection against environmental factors.
Building Codes
Any construction must be approved before building works commence. Therefore it is important to know the building codes and regulations that apply to the location and adhere to them also when it comes to the foundation type. The codes ensure the safety standards are met and the type of foundation you chose is suitable to the local conditions.
Finances
Undoubtedly, you have a certain budget you can devote to building a foundation. However, note that the types offoundations have different complexities and are built of different materials. It greatly affects their price. The key is tofind the balance between the cost and the quality.
Plans
It is also worth considering whether you plan to expand the property or build any extra structures. Make sure that you build the foundation that is ready to handle the changes you might want to implement in the future.
What are Home Foundation Types?
Since we already know what to consider when choosing the type of foundation, now let us introduce the types you can choose from. We also include a quick sum-up of all of them in the form of the advantages and disadvantages of every solution. The three most popular types of house foundations are full basement foundations, crawl space foundations, and concrete slab foundations.
Full Basement
This very popular choice is usually made of concrete, which builds a base, and walls of a height of at least 8 feet.The whole construction is mostly underground and can be used as a living space. This type of construction is very common in areas with colder climates as it is perfect for managing freezing conditions. Basements are also a great choice in the fight against the groundwater. From a practical point of view, a basement is also a perfect storage for seasonal decorations, items, tools, and toys. On the other hand, such extra construction is an expensive solution and often not the easiest to maintain.
Advantages:
Basements create extra space, protect from adverse weather conditions, and increase the value of the property.
Disadvantages:
Basements are an expensive option to build, maintain, and repair (if needed). They also tend to get flooded during heavy rainfall and require thorough moisture control.
Daylight Basement
A daylight basement is a special type of basement foundation, which has one of the sides exposed to daylight. Such a basement is the perfect place not only for storage but also for residents as it can serve as an apartment with a door, stairs, and windows. One of the most important features that come with the exposition to daylight is the airflow and natural light, which help in keeping mold away. However, such exposed foundations may be prone to flooding or leaks. A daylight basement is also the most expensive option among all foundation types.
Advantages:
Daylight basements provide natural light and fresh air, which allows for installing windows and doors and creating apartment opportunities, which increases home space and gives private access.
Disadvantages:
Daylight basements require a lot of costly maintenance, installation, and repair. They can also be damaged by flooding or leaks.
Crawl Space
Crawl space foundations are poured concrete walls, which have a base of deep footings that provide stability for the building. The walls are not as high as in the case of full basements and are usually just 2-3 feet tall. The floor of a crawl space can be made of concrete or bare earth. Such places usually hold pipes, gas, and electrical systems and connections that can be accessed by crawling into the area (as the name indicates). The cost of installing such a foundation is a lot cheaper than building basements.
Advantages:
Crawl spaces constitute good protection against heaves or freezing conditions and are also very cheap. They provide a good for storage and mechanicals.
Disadvantages:
This option is more expensive than slab-on grade or simple concrete foundations and their installation requires excavation works. Crawled spaces also tend to get wet and can be a home to pests.
Slab-on-Grade
This basic foundation type is relatively easy and quick to build. It is a single 4-8 feet thick concrete slab. To install it you will need forms holding the concrete until the slab sets. These temporary forms are removed once the concrete is cured. Then the building of the main structure can commence. Slab-on-grade performs well in moderate and warm climates with no long periods of temperatures below zero. They are also perfect for garages, sheds, and workshopsand can be built cheaply and without an expert. However, it is worth remembering that frost can cause the concrete to crack or shift.
Advantages:
Concrete slabs are fast and affordable foundation type that works well in warm climates and is easy to maintain.
Disadvantages:
Slab-on-grade foundations do not perform well in cold climates and their mechanical systems are not easy to repair. Slab-on-grade does not provide extra space for storage or living.
Poured Concrete
Residential foundations often use poured concrete as a material for many types of foundations (basements, crawl spaces, slab-on-grades). It is versatile, durable, and very sturdy. It is usually independent of the type of climate as long as the foundation footings are anchored to the ground. This protects from frost heave and soil movement.
Advantages:
The poured concrete foundation works well as a foundation in freezing conditions and is an easy construction that has few weak points. You can tailor it to your needs and have a versatile and durable foundation.
Disadvantages:
This solution requires excavation works, the installation of solid footing, and the use of temporary forms. Weather can negatively affect the concrete curing time.
Pier and Beam
This solution works for properties located near bodies of water (eg., lake, ocean, river) where there is a high possibility of flooding. Thanks to the pier and beam the house is elevated above the ground level and the house istherefore protected during adverse weather conditions.
Pier and beam foundations consist of solid piles/piers (wooden or concrete) and beam structures forming the base of the building. This type of construction is also typical for sloped areas. However, it is of utmost importance to drive the piles deep into the ground. Only then can they constitute a solid structural support.
Advantages:
Pier and beam constructions protect buildings from flooding and are relatively easy to install (no excavation. They work perfectly in coastal areas and on the slopes providing also easy access to the property from all sides.
Disadvantages:
The installation of this type of foundation requires the work of heavy machinery. The whole construction needs frequent inspections and possible repairs as wood foundations are susceptible to rot and weakening.
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF)
In the process of foundation creation, many builders choose to use insulated concrete forms instead of poured concrete. These forms are made of poured concrete but are not removable after the concrete cures (as in the case of slab-on-grade foundations). ICF foundations are a great alternative because of their good resistance to moisture and pest infestations. What is more, they are energy efficient and as durable as poured concrete foundations.
Advantages:
ICF foundations provide permanent insulating layers that show high resistance to moisture and pests and provide good durability even in frost heave and freezing conditions.
Disadvantages:
On the other hand, the insulated concrete forms require a lot of excavation, are not cheap and relatively few businesses offer their installation.
Stone
The stone foundation is one of the oldest types of foundation and can be found in houses built more than a century ago. Stone as a base of your home has the advantage of a more aesthetic look than concrete. However, it does not protect well from water or pest infestations. What is more, it tends to be more expensive to maintain than a concrete foundation. However, if it is well-preserved, stone foundations may increase the property value.
Advantages:
Stone foundations are durable solutions, providing not only aesthetic value but often increasing property value when the foundation is well-preserved.
Disadvantages:
This type of foundation needs performing maintenance activities often and it is not water resistant and may be vulnerable to pest infestation. It is also quite costly to repair.
Wood Foundation
One last type of foundation we would like to discuss is not commonly used pressure-treated wood foundation (PWF). It can be found in locations where concrete does not perform well due to seasonal cold temperatures. Then builders use chemically treated lumber as the foundation instead of stone, or concrete. Wood foundations are not as durable as concrete blocks, however, they are more resistant to adverse weather conditions thanks to the fibrous wood that builds them. The elevation wood provides additionally protects from water damage and pest infestations.
Advantages:
Wood foundations are a long-lasting solution for colder climates, which are very energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages:
Unfortunately, wood is susceptible to water damage and rotting so if not properly taken care of, PWFs can be at risk of insect damage. Wood foundations are also not easily built and can take quite a long time to implement.
Skidsteers.com - Your Partner in Foundation Laying
As you can see, many foundation options require using specialist equipment, often heavy machinery to successfully implement them. Your home should be safe and stable. There is no way around it, so make sure you do a good job by using high-quality attachments. We carry a wide variety of skid steer attachments, mini skid steer attachments, and excavator attachments made of flawless American steel. Get in touch to get assistance in choosing the perfect equipment for your foundation works.