Building Foundations – What are Their Common Types?

A foundation refers to the structural section of construction on which a construction stands. It’s a structure located below a construction’s columns and plays a critical role by distributing its own load to the ground. Construction builders construct building foundations mainly with conventional building materials, like steel, stone, and concrete. Besides keeping out groundwater, they also act as a bar to soil vapor and water.

Different types of Building Foundations

In this revealing blog post, we’ll look at the common types of foundations.

Let’s start!

Crawl Space Foundation

Crawl space foundations feature short foundation walls standing on footings. Besides having an open space of around 2 feet below the building, these foundations also elevate the construction off the ground.

You can support a building using two ways. First, there is the stem wall (which is a continuous wall commonly applied in crawl space constructions). Next, there is the pier-and-beam, which applies concrete footings to hold up the wooden piers.

Crawl space foundations will work well if you stay in areas that have high water tables or tend to flood. Also, crawl space foundations protect homes from shifting soil because they minimize the flood risk. Moreover, the open space ensures your home has some extra ventilation.

These foundations make it easy to access utility pipes and lines. Also, as a homeowner, you can use the crawl space as a store for some of your items.

However, the crawl space can host moisture issues, pests, and mold. If you stay in colder climates, you may need to seal the space by adding foam insulation.

Basement Foundation

Basement foundation is another common construction foundation you’ll come across. Construction Builders use concrete pillars to construct buildings with basement foundations, These pillars help to hold up the construction above-ground structure.

Another crucial thing to note about basement foundations is that they are dug at least 8 feet above the construction’s footing. The added space and square footage form the primary benefit of basement foundations.

These basement foundations provide additional storage or extra living space and deliver the best gap for future renovations. The foundations also offer natural ventilation below the building, an excellent cooling mechanism, especially during summer.

However, expect to pay hefty prices to install a basement foundation and enjoy the outstanding features it offers. Also, basement foundations can result in more maintenance cases if you don’t give them proper care.

Concrete Slab Foundations

Concrete slab foundations are the most common with modern home constructions. Here, the terms “Concrete Slab” help explain the primary role played by these foundations.

Generally, concrete slab foundations refer to slabs created by blocks of concrete. Note that slabs range from four inches to eight inches thick and drainage pipes and steel rods provide their support.

These foundations are the most preferred because of the low cost involved. Besides being the cheapest option, a concrete slab foundation is also the quickest solution. Moreover, expect the concrete slab foundation to be laid within the shortest possible time if you hire a professional crew.

Besides this, the drying process of the concrete slab foundation does not take long. However, expect to get a challenge in repairing damaged and leaking lines embedded into the concrete.

Also, your home is likely to be susceptible to warming because there is no ventilation between the concrete slab and your building.

Final Thoughts

Generally, the land you want to build on has a significant impact on choosing the construction foundation. Also, consider the material longevity and maintenance needs before choosing a specific construction foundation. Therefore, take your time to choose the best foundation that can ensure you remain comfortable while in your home.