How to choose foundations for a house?

One of the first questions that people ask themselves when facing the construction of a house is “how to choose the foundations“? Which type to choose? Today, on the Tadeks blog, you will read about the pros, cons and differences of solutions such as a foundation slab or a traditional foundation.

What foundations for a house? By way of introduction

The use of foundation slabs by customers is becoming more and more common and they are willing to ask for such a solution to the problem with the base, which after all supports the structure of the entire building. However, will it be a good solution in every case and there is simply no room for classic foundations? As it turns out, the traditional foundation is irreplaceable in many cases!

Differences between a slab and a classic foundation

Each solution on how to choose the foundations for a house has its advantages and disadvantages, and sometimes many adversities, rule out the possibility of building a house on a foundation slab.

Foundation Slab:

• – A safe solution for high groundwater levels and low-quality soils,
• – tight and simple insulation of the building against moisture and cold from the ground,
• – higher quality concrete is used for production,
• – resistance to uneven settlement of the building,
• – the construction of the foundation slab is durable,
• – requires hiring a professional team that has experience with this solution.

Traditional foundation:

• – A proven solution, well known by employees,
• – simplicity of execution,
• – possibility of making lower class concrete and foundation walls made of concrete blocks,
• – long construction period, which can last up to 4 months,
• – most ready-made projects use classic foundations in their plans.

Situations in which the house is built on a slope make it almost impossible to use a foundation slab, because it is simply difficult, expensive and does not offer a guarantee of quality. It is easier to make stepped foundations than to connect several slabs at different levels.

Access to the insulation layer

The insulation layer of the foundations and the slab is the basis for protection against moisture and low temperatures from the ground. By choosing a slab, users automatically get rid of the possibility of access to it, which is not a major problem in the case of traditional foundations.

Admittedly, by choosing durable, high-quality materials, it should not be damaged. However, if this happens for various random reasons, no one will have access to it for repair, because the insulating layer is under the board.

Insulated foundation walls only need to be dug out to be able to repair and get rid of the problem of moisture rising through the walls – despite manufacturers’ assurances about the indestructibility of their products, there are voices from customers who have found themselves in such a situation. The phrase that the prudent is always insured fits perfectly here.

How to choose foundations for a house? Find something for difficult conditions!

Strip foundations must be below the freezing level (this means a depth of more than 0.8-1.4 m, below the surface of the ground), while in the case of a slab, it is enough to select a fertile layer of soil and sprinkle it with gravel mixed with sand for stabilization.

Groundwater will, of course, approach the stabilizing layer, but not high enough to threaten the foundation slab in any way. Thanks to this solution, you can build houses in places that were inaccessible to the real estate sector a dozen or so years ago.

No more house subsidence

Cracking walls and slats above the floor are the bane of all investors who have decided on classic foundations and are waiting for the building to settle. If you use a foundation slab, you do not have to worry about this process, because the weight of the house is distributed evenly.

The question of how to choose a foundation does not have a clear answer. Which solution is better is a very complex matter, because, for example, often the foundation slab will be almost an obligation, and in other situations, the foundations will be the only profitable investment – it all depends on the design and the land on which the building is to be built.