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What is the difference between strip footing and foundation slab?

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Choosing the right method of foundation of a building is one of the most crucial decisions that an investor faces. The most popular is the traditional solution, i.e. strip foundations. An alternative to it is still a less frequently chosen album. Before making the final decision, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. What exactly is the difference?

Strip foundations – what are its characteristics?

Strip footing and foundation slab – is the choice so important? To find out, take a look at the characteristics of each of them. A bench is nothing more than a special beam made of reinforced concrete. Thanks to this, it is an element with high resistance to compression or stretching, thus guaranteeing high stability of the structure. The exact parameters of the strip footing are determined by the constructor, taking into account:

For the production of strip foundations, C12/15 or C16/20 ready-mixed concrete is usually chosen, to which reinforcement in the form of 4 steel bars with a diameter of 12 mm is added. Between them, every 30 cm, there are stirrups with a diameter of 6 mm.

Strip foundations can be constructed in two basic ways:

Each time the method of construction is very similar, and the differences occur in the technique of excavation or the creation and protection of subsequent layers already at the stage of building construction.

What is a foundation slab?

Another solution for the foundation of a house or other building is a foundation slab. Do the benches find a worthy competitor in it? This type of foundation consists of several layers – it is also a structural element that transfers the load of the building to the ground. Slabs are most often made of reinforced concrete, i.e. classic concrete reinforced with rods, cables or ropes.

On a base of mechanically compacted gravel, a layer of gravel or sand 15–30 cm thick is piled up. Next, it is necessary to create polystyrene thermal insulation and pour a reinforced concrete support board. The parameters and arrangement of reinforcement are also the designer’s domain – as in the case of strip foundations.

Strip footing and foundation slab – how to decide?

Each of the foundation solutions has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice must therefore depend on individual factors and technical capabilities on the construction site. Strip foundations are definitely a cheaper option and good knowledge of technology among contractors. Thanks to this, they are able to cope with even the most unforeseen situations during the work. However, the footing should not be used on plots where the ground is characterized by low load-bearing capacity.

When it comes to foundation slabs, the loads are distributed over the surface much more evenly. When the ground conditions are unstable, it is better to choose this solution. In addition, the slab does not require advanced earthworks – the foundation of the building is shallow in this case. If you properly insulate the slab at the foundation stage, it can be a ready-made floor on the ground.

Not everyone knows that the foundation slab can be used to create underfloor heating. After all, a heavy, reinforced concrete element isolated from the ground perfectly accumulates heat. Remember that if you decide on a slab instead of a strip foundation, you should hire a construction team that has experience in the construction of this type of building foundations. The concrete necessary to pour the slab cannot be prepared on your own in a concrete mixer – it is necessary to bring it from the concrete batching plant.

Also check what foundations for a frame house to choose.