Slab vs Crawl Space: What's The Difference?
Building a sturdy home starts with the foundation. This fact of life is so widespread you even see house foundation metaphors in other areas of life, such as your career or getting married!
Choosing the proper structure for your home involves studying elements such as the soil, your site plan, and the kind of foundation you want to use. The slab and the crawl space are two increasingly popular options among home building projects. Contrary to what some may say, neither option is better or worse. We’re firm believers that homes are as unique as we are!
Keep reading to learn more about the slab vs crawl space and why the difference will make your home even better.
What is a Crawl Space?
Before diving into the options for your home, let’s get the basic definitions out of the way first. The crawl space (also known as a crawl space foundation) uses several concrete walls to lift the house at least eighteen inches or higher.
What is a Slab?
Another popular home foundation is the slab. Unlike the crawl space, the slab foundation is a heavy concrete slab sitting on the earth.
Each foundation has its ups and downs depending on your building environment. Your contractor will provide additional expertise to ensure you’re not missing out on any vital details. Speaking of which…
Is It Better to Have a Crawl Space or a Slab?
Crawl spaces and slabs are diverse foundations designed to ensure your home rests comfortably in certain climates, soils, and angles. Depending on where you want to live, one option could be better.
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No home should stand without an accurate reference. Our site plans have state-of-the-art software and careful research to keep your project viable.
Below are the pros and cons of each foundation.
Slabs are a Very Affordable Foundation
Consider a slab foundation if you’re on a very tight budget and want to ensure your house remains sturdy. Due to their simple design, you’ll hover in the $7,000 to $10,000 range.
Compare this price to the crawl space, which usually exceeds $8,000 to $20,000.
Slabs Aren’t Ideal for Cold Environments
The downsides to slab foundations are their incompatibility with cold environments. While the occasional cold night is fine, we don’t recommend this option in locations with a lot of snowfall or cold snaps.
Understanding foundations means understanding soil. How does this work? When the weather gets cold, the soil will contract and stiffen in response to moisture becoming icy. Since slabs stand on top of the earth, they can crack or shift around.
Slabs Are Easy to Maintain
The last benefit of slab foundations is their low maintenance. These foundations have the ability to last around fifty years, provided they’re built correctly and are in a suitable environment.
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Crawl Spaces are Great For Hotter, Drier Environments
Do you live in a sweltering, arid environment? You’re better off installing a crawl space. Higher temperatures and air circulation make these top-notch choices for hot locations.
The concrete design of a slab means moisture can’t build up, making these foundations safe and clean year-round. The design of a crawl space means darkness and moisture will gather over time, inviting mold, pests, and animals.
That said, builders can design crawl spaces that are better at removing moisture and saving energy.
Crawl Spaces are Ideal for Remodeling
Do you plan on remodeling your home anytime soon? You should consider installing a crawl space foundation instead of a slab foundation.
Slabs are, literally and metaphorically, concrete. Since elements such as plumbing are built into the solid stone, changing your house plan is more difficult. The open environment of the crawl space makes home remodeling easier by giving you more space.
Should I Use a Site Plan?
If you’re thinking of building a new home, make sure to have a site plan on your side. Proper home construction needs careful planning, vetting, and research to execute properly.
We provide helpful site plans to map out your future home in easy-to-understand diagrams. With a blend of modern software and the skills of experienced drafters, our site plans will be your foundation.
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Conclusion
Slabs and crawl spaces are two popular foundations for homes. While slabs are made out of solid concrete, crawl spaces use elevated concrete walls.
Slabs are better suited to cold environments and tight budgets. To contrast, crawl spaces are fantastic options for hot environments and homeowners who like regular remodeling. Take your time choosing the best foundation for your house. It is, quite literally, what everything else is built on!
Before you get started, make sure you have a site plan on your side. These tools ensure you’re not building where you shouldn’t, giving you and your family a home that will last for years.
Give your home’s foundation a map to success. Contact us today for custom site plans with a twenty-four hour turnaround, Monday through Friday!
- Ryan Crownholm
