House Foundations
Table of Contents
Basement: Full and Daylight
A full basement has structural foundation walls that are supported by foundation footings. In modern homes, they are made with poured concrete or mortared concreate block. Footings extend below the frost line. If desired, it can be heated or cooled like the rest of the house. A full basement can act as a living space with a height that is at least 6ft tall [1]. A daylight basement is when the foundation is built against a slope and it has one or more sides that are completely embedded in the ground from floor to ceiling. As the slope descends, certain sides of the foundation are exposed to light allowing large windows and doors to bring daylight in [1]. Modern basements are made with poured concrete or mortared concrete block whereas basements located in old homes can have stone walls [1].
Pros
Cons
Full Basement [1] |
|---|
 Full Basement [1] |
Crawlspace
A crawlspace has foundation walls that stand on footings. The walls are short (can be 4ft tall for storage) creating a space where you must crawl to get through. These spaces are unheated but can be ventilated to allow a small amount of airflow. It is cheaper than full basements because they require less excavation, foundation wall material, and labour to build. Typically, crawlspaces are made with poured concrete or mortared concrete block [1].
Pros
Cons
Crawlspace Basement [1] |
|---|
Crawlspace Basement [1] |
Pier Foundation
Similar to crawlspaces, “pier foundations are constructed using small circular or square pads of concrete that are located in strategic points along the outer perimeter of the home. These pads are inserted and secured into the ground using treated wood posts or steel rods. These posts or rods are then connected to the home for support.” [3].
Pros
Cons
Pier Foundation [2] |
|---|
Pier Foundation [2] |
Concrete Slab-On-Grade
This type of foundation is used in climates that do not experience freezing and thawing (otherwise it would lead to cracks in the concrete and shifting of the foundation). It is a solid piece of concrete that rests on the ground. Grade refers to the ground-level and slab refers to the monolithic concrete pad [1]. The thickness of a slab can range from 4 inches – 8 inches and are reinforced with steel rods and drainage pipes [3].
Pros
Cons
Concrete Slab-On-Grade [1] |
|---|
Concrete Slab-On-Grade [1] |
Contributors: