The foundation of a house plays a vital role. It is constructed in order to provide a base for the rest of the house’s components such as the roof and walls.
Every house, regardless of its size and what it is made of, is built on a foundation. If you want to build your house, remind yourself that there are various kinds of house foundations. It is best to educate yourself first about them before anything else.
The Types of House Foundations
Primarily, there are three commonly used house foundations – crawlspace, concrete slab, and basement. However, some houses are built on concrete masonry units and insulated concrete forms.
#1 Crawlspace Foundation:
From the name itself, it is a type of foundation that provides an accessible space with limited headroom. A crawlspace is normally between the bottom of the house’s first floor and the soil. It is used in areas where the soil comes with a heavy clay content.
#2 Concrete Slab Foundation:
This type of foundation is commonly used in the southern part of the United States. This is due to the fact that the area has a relatively high water table, which pertains to the depth in the soil at which water is found.
In constructing this foundation, a structural concrete slab is poured on the grade. This provides the needed support for the whole house. Also, it is ideal in places where the ground doesn’t freeze during winter season.
#3 Basement Foundation:
A basement is considered an accessible space between the bottom of the house’s first floor and the soil. It is somewhat similar to a crawlspace foundation except that its headroom is more spacious.
This kind of foundation is used in places where there is a cold climate because the foundation has to be located below frost level.
#4 Concrete Masonry Units:
Also known as CMUs, this foundation is made of hollow, concrete blocks. In order to construct its wall, it requires the use of a mortar in between blocks. Doing so holds the blocks in place. As a result, a wall is formed.
#5 Insulated Concrete Forms:
Often dubbed as ICFs, insulated concrete forms are constructed with the use of rigid foam insulation forms. This type of form is a system consists of mold, hardware and bracing in order to hold the concrete together. It is used in places where the building code requires homeowners to build an insulated foundation.
A Final Thought on House Foundation Types
If you are planning to build a house, you probably have a specific foundation type in mind. However, you need to keep in mind that there are certain factors to consider before you make a final decision. Choosing a house foundation depends on factors such as geographical location, moisture, type of house, budget, climate and soil, recently reported at regional contractors’ reunion in Houston, Texas ABC Foundation.
For instance, if you have a cold climate, you may have to dig down at least 4 feet in order to put the footings of the house below frost level. On the other hand, if your lot is in a slope then a slab foundation is not a good idea. Needless to say, you need to carefully consider various things before opting for a specific foundation type.
The good thing is, you can hire a professional builder to help you in determining the right type of foundation that best suits your area. This saves you a lot of time and money.
Assigned category: Foundation Repair
