| The foundation is the first piece of a home to be | | | | or more feet to put the home's footings below frost |
| constructed and creates a base for the rest of a | | | | level. If you have to go at least four feet deep then |
| home's components. There are three types of | | | | it may be worth spending some extra money to dig |
| foundations that are commonly used in the U.S.: slab, | | | | a few feet deeper and have a full basement. Also, it |
| crawlspace, and basement. | | | | is easier to install and maintain mechanical systems in |
| Slab Foundation | | | | basements (compared to a crawlspace). Your builder |
| Slab is a type of foundation consisting of a structural | | | | can help you determine what type of foundation is |
| concrete slab poured directly on the grade. No | | | | best suited for your area. |
| accessible space exists in slab construction. Slab | | | | The choice of foundation is also affected by personal |
| foundations are popular in areas (i.e. the Southern | | | | preferences and costs. Basements can add |
| United States) where there is a relatively high water | | | | thousands of dollars to the cost of a home |
| table. (Water table refers to the depth in the soil at | | | | compared to the cost of a crawlspace. However, |
| which you find water). | | | | when you consider the extra useable space created |
| Crawlspace Foundation | | | | by a basement it is some of the cheapest square |
| A crawlspace is an accessible space with limited | | | | footage space of a home. If you are tight on funds |
| headroom, typically between the soil and the bottom | | | | and can't afford the basement then it may be a |
| of the first floor of a home. Crawlspace construction | | | | good idea to find a slightly smaller plan and use the |
| is predominant in areas where there is heavy clay | | | | savings to create a basement. You'll end up with a lot |
| content in the soil. | | | | more storage space and potential living space by |
| Basement Foundation | | | | doing this. |
| A basement is an accessible space between the soil | | | | Changing the Type of Foundation on your home: |
| and the bottom of the first floor of a home. It | | | | Almost any house plan can have its foundation |
| usually has more headroom than a crawlspace. | | | | changed. It's common for people to design a |
| Basement foundation construction is predominant in | | | | different foundation if the available foundations do |
| cold climates where the foundation needs to be | | | | not suit their needs. If you are currently working with |
| situated below the frost level. | | | | a builder you may want to ask them if they will take |
| All three foundation types are usually constructed out | | | | care of making the foundation changes for you. |
| of concrete, but can also use concrete masonry units | | | | Sometimes with foundation design it may be helpful |
| or insulated concrete forms. | | | | for somebody who is near you to do those changes |
| Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are hollow, concrete | | | | because they will have more knowledge about your |
| blocks. To create the foundation wall, mortar is used | | | | local soil conditions and the slope of your lot. |
| between blocks to hold them together, forming the | | | | When changing foundation types, pay attention to |
| wall. | | | | where you will put the furnace, water heater, and |
| Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are made of rigid | | | | stairs. If you need to add basement stairs, the |
| foam insulation forms (a system of support | | | | basement stairs can usually be put under other |
| assemblies, including mold, hardware, and necessary | | | | stairways or you may be able to replace a closet or |
| bracing to hold concrete) into which concrete is | | | | small room with basement stairs. Another common |
| poured. Once the concrete has gained its full | | | | place to put basement stairs is to replace a |
| strength, the outside forms, the inside forms, or both | | | | mechanical room with stairs and move the mechanical |
| are left in place to insulate the wall. ICFs are common | | | | items (such as the furnace and water heater) to the |
| in regions in which the local building code requires the | | | | basement. Sometimes space near the laundry room, |
| foundation to be insulated. Another benefit is that | | | | or space near the garage can be used for a |
| the homeowner or builder is able to finish basement | | | | basement stairs. Larger walk-in closets are |
| immediately, without adding studs. | | | | sometimes reduced in size to allow space for |
| Choosing the Type of Foundation: | | | | basement stairs. You can often add a basement |
| Homeowners and builders make decisions about | | | | stairs to a plan without increasing the size of the plan. |
| which type of foundation to use by gauging cost, | | | | However, sometimes space may need to be added |
| needs/desires, and soil and weather conditions. If you | | | | to a plan to provide room for a basement stairs. |
| have high water tables then it may not be possible | | | | It should be noted that it is the owner's full |
| to have a basement. If your land has shallow | | | | responsibility to check with his/her local and state |
| bedrock or boulders then it may be more costly to | | | | building authorities, his/her builder, and the designer of |
| dig a basement. If you have a sloping lot it may be | | | | the house plan to ensure that the home meets all |
| difficult to use a slab foundation. If you have a cold | | | | applicable building codes and requirements. |
| climate then you may need to dig down at least four | | | | |