Three Types of House Foundations
Slab
One of the first types of house foundations is the slab. This is simply just a slab of concrete that is a few inches thick. These house foundations are usually poured on crushed gravel in order to improve drainage. Wire is also placed in the concrete to help prevent cracking.
Slab house foundations are ideal in areas that have high water tables. They are also commonly used in areas where the ground doesn’t freeze during the winter. If these house foundations will be subjected to frost, they will need to be insulated.
Crawlspace
One of the next types of house foundations is the crawlspace. This space, which is large enough for you to crawl into, is located between the bottom of your home and the soil. The space created by these house foundations is usually 18 inches tall.
These house foundations are suitable for locations that have a lot of clay in the soil. They have the advantage of being the most affordable. These house foundations also make it easy to access and install heating and plumbing. The main disadvantage of these house foundations is that they have to be insulated. If you don’t insulate these foundations, then moisture can build up and eventually lead to severe problems with mold.
Basement
One of the final types of house foundations is the basement. They are commonly used in colder climates where the ground freezes during the winter. These house foundations are used when the foundation needs to be located below the frost level. They are constructed by digging a hole then pouring a concrete slab on top of it. The footing is wider than the walls in order to provide additional support. These house foundations usually have more room then crawlspaces.
These are the different types of house foundations. The concrete slab is ideal for areas that have high water tables or where the ground doesn’t freeze during the winter. Crawlspace house foundations are commonly used when the soil has a high amount of clay. Basements are commonly used for colder areas where the ground freezes during the winter. They usually provide more room that crawlspaces.
