Which Foundaton Is Best?

Which Foundaton Is Best?

WHICH FOUNDATION IS BEST?

There are six different foundation types commonly used throughout the US.

1. FOOTING AND STEMWALL

This is the most common foundation. It consists of a below frost grade concrete footing with a vertical poured or block stemwall on top of the footing, shaped like an inverted T.

Pros:

very popular with architects, engineers, appraisers, and building departments versatile: used for homes with crawl spaces and basements, in garages, shops, and commercial buildings. It is occasionally used in barns. useful in uneven and unstable ground • can be used in deep frost zones can be used with a wooden floor or a concrete floor

Cons:

More expensive. Requires 2 form ups, 2 inspections and 2 pours or block laying takes longer requires more excavation and backfill takes more concrete sometimes requires a concrete pump truck requires more form material

2. MONOLITHIC FOUNDATION

This is a floor slab with sides turned down to frost depth.

Pros:

acceptable to architects, engineers, appraisers, and building departments  less expensive than stemwall foundation easier and faster to install easier to build on better for multiple uses lends itself to remodeling less excavation and backfill popular for in floor heating systems

Cons:

takes planning to locate and install plumbing and electrical more difficult to insulate  floor is harder than wood might require a concrete pump truck difficult to install on a rainy day

3. EMBEDDED POST (POLE BARN) FOUNDATION

Pressure treated post is buried approximately 4′ in ground, set on concrete footing pad.

Pros:

fast and inexpensive to install (unless your land is a rock pile or soup hole) requires rental of inexpensive augur and skid steer loader final leveling can be done after posts are installed concrete floor is optional and can be installed after building is built sidewalls, doors, and windows are easy to install  larger clear spans are common 12′ post grid layouts make stall installation easier works well in combination with other foundations  remodel friendly

Cons:

harder to engineer for high wind and high snow load applications only moderately popular with bankers and appraisers. slightly more difficult to insulate and finish into living or office space may not last as long as a stemwall or monolithic foundation

4. EMBEDDED CONCRETE PILING

Usually a round concrete piling, embedded 4′ resting on a larger diameter concrete pad at the hole bottom.

Pros:

more popular than embedded pressure treated wood with some owners and builders eliminates wood with ground contact

Cons:

considerably more expensive to install takes longer to install requires Sonotube or equivalent to shape the piling before pouring more difficult to attach to building not commonly used other than cabins and small homes

5. PRESSURE TREATED WOOD FOUNDATION

Pros:

inexpensive fast to install easy to insulate eliminates concrete great for inaccessible places  less eco friendly

Cons:

may deteriorate over time in certain climates not as popular as concrete with bankers, appraisers, and building departments

6. LARGE CONCRETE FOOTING BLOCK FOUNDATION

Pros:

fast simple and inexpensive to install allows free air flow allows easy access little or no excavation

Cons:

not popular with architects, engineers, appraisers, bankers, or building departments

7. ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE

Pros:

combination foundations make good sense for multiple use buildings, especially when combining living, office, workshop, garage, or animal space

Cons: 

moderately expensive  may require additional inspections

This list was compiled by Uncle Howard’s Barns a leading supplier of Horse Barns, Barn Kits, Barn Homes, and Barn Doors.