Your house is only as strong as the foundation it sits on. It’s crucial to choose the right one to build your home on; otherwise, all that hard work might be for nothing. You might also be here because you’re curious about what foundations your house is sitting on. Here, we talk you through the different house foundation types, what situations they’re best for, when to avoid them, and if they’re cost-effective.
Table of content
4 types of foundations for houses
1. Stem wall crawl space foundation
A stem wall is just one of two crawl space foundation types. It serves as a continual masonry wall distributed over a massive area beneath the house. While this not only lifts the structure, the durable materials forming these walls also protect your crawl space from disasters, such as flooding.
Pros of crawl space foundations
Crawl spaces prevent flooding because their walls are raised and thick.
You can use the additional storage below your home to store items that are 18 inches and under in height, though remember to dehumidify the area to prevent molding.
Crawl spaces also offer a lot of flexibility and accessibility, which allows you to easily manage your electrics and plumbing.
Cons of crawl space foundations
While the walls supporting your house are useful for preventing floods, they’re not the best at energy efficiency .
These areas are prone to moisture, causing mold to can leak through your flooring if it’s not addressed.
You also need to keep this area heated to prevent cold air from seeping through your floor during the winter, as that can attract pests.
2. Pier and beam crawl space foundation
The second type of crawl space foundation, pier-and-beam foundations use concrete footings burrowed within the ground to support a collection of wooden piers. Concrete beams are then distributed between the piers for optimal support. This house foundation type is very common in coastal areas where the soil often shifts, erodes, or is prone to flooding.
Pros of pier and beam foundations
Pier and beam foundations prevent heavy homes from shifting or sinking by displacing the weight of the house over a large area.
This type of house foundation is great if you live in an area with weak or unstable topsoil.
Cons of pier and beam foundations
Pier and beam foundations are often expensive because they require expensive materials and professional engineers to carry out the design and installation.
They need to maintained regularly, especially in humid areas where moisture and mold are likely.
Lots of pests, including rodents and insects, can enter these crawl spaces and sneak into your home during the winter.
3. Basement foundation
There are two basement foundation types too: daylight and full.
Daylight basement foundation: Daylight (or walkout) basements are built on slopes. As such, some of the walls are below-ground while others are above, meaning the basement doesn;t entirely extend underground. At least one wall opens up onto the outside, serving as a cool area with excellent airflow on a hot day. These basements can serve as a beautiful addition to your home if you want to rent it out later.
Full basement foundation: There are usually no windows with a full basement, unless you opt for installing small ones above ground. The structure extends underground and can go with a finished or unfinished basement, depending on its intended purpose. Full basements are a better option if you want additional rooms or storage without the added costs .
Pros of basement foundations
Basements foundation increase the value of your house.
You can use them as an energy-efficient room to relax in during the summer to dodge the heat.
You can expand your living space or create a money-making space that can be rented out.
They also provide a stable shelter during severe disasters, such as tornadoes.
It’s much easier to deal with repairs if you have a basement foundation vs slab and crawl space foundations.
Cons of basement foundations
If you are looking to save on costs, building a basement isn’t the way to go.
You’re more likely to face radon-related issues if you don’t install a radon mitigation system when planning your home’s construction.
4. Slab foundation
There are three ways to go about creating concrete slab foundations.
Slab-on-grade is a thick slab of concrete usually between six to eight inches thick. With this method, you pour concrete into prepared soil mixed with gravel. Afterwards, rebar reinforces the home’s frame and footing while you add mesh to reduce the chances of cracking.
T-shaped foundation uses concrete footings that run above the frost line and reach the prepped soil’s surface. The slabs are then poured on top of the tees.
Frost-protected (FPSF) slabs containing foam insulation to prevent the foundation from freezing . With freezing comes an increased chance of cracking. Only use FPSF for heated buildings.
Pros of concrete slab foundations
These house foundation types aren’t just affordable but will save you money in the long run because they require little maintenance.
Slabs don’t require specific soil conditions for construction and are more durable than other foundations.
Slabs protect from pests and moisture due to the lack of open space beneath the house.
They’re easy to build and don’t take long to create.
Concrete slabs give more options for flooring than other foundations.
They provide a tremendous thermal mass to control your home’s temperature throughout the year.
Cons of concrete slab foundations
All plumbing sits below the slabs, meaning you have to shatter the concrete to gain access to the pipes if any work needs doing. It’s also a lot harder to detect leaks in the first place.
Concrete is subject to cracking if certain moisture and weather conditions are right.
If you’re in an earthquake-prone area, this foundation isn’t right for you. If you’re considering concrete slab foundations as an option, be sure to look into what causes cracking and how to prevent it.
Outdated types of house foundations
When researching house foundation types, you may also have come across wood foundations and stone foundations. However, both are rarely used today.
The former was historically used because it was cheap and easy to assemble, but the wood is prone to rot and insect activity. As such, new homes are no longer built on wood foundations.
The latter is highly durable but the cost of the building materials and labor are too high to be used regularly. We would recommend using one of the more modern types of house foundations listed above instead.
Which house foundation type should I choose?
When choosing a foundation type for a new home, key factors to consider include soil type, climate, budget, and the intended use of the basement or crawl space. Soil stability and moisture levels can dictate the best house foundation type, while climate considerations such as freeze-thaw cycles and flood risk are crucial.
Understand your property’s dimensions before you dig with My Site Plan’s Basic Site Plan. Our plans include lot lines and sizes, and can help fix encroachment issues. If you’re not completely satisfied, we offer free adjustments.
House foundation FAQs
How long does it typically take to construct a crawl space foundation compared to a slab or basement foundation?
Construction time can vary between types of house foundations. A crawl space foundation might take less time than a basement due to less excavation but more than a slab foundation because it involves more complex construction with piers or stem walls.
Can daylight basements be converted into separate rental units, and what are the zoning considerations?
Daylight basements can often be converted into rental units if local zoning laws permit. Homeowners should check with local planning agencies to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations regarding egress, ceiling height, and separate utilities.
What are some specific steps homeowners can take to improve the energy efficiency of crawl space foundations?
Homeowners can improve energy efficiency by insulating the crawl space walls, installing vapor barriers to manage moisture, and ensuring proper ventilation to prevent mold and reduce heating needs.
How does the cost-effectiveness of pier-and-beam foundations compare to other types of crawl space foundations?
Pier-and-beam foundations can be more cost-effective in areas with unstable soil as they require less extensive excavation and material than full stem wall foundations. However, they may require more maintenance over time due to potential issues with wood degradation.
What additional complexities are involved in building on a slope for daylight basements?
Building on a slope requires careful design to manage water drainage and structural stability. Additional engineering may be needed to ensure the foundation is secure and that the home is safe from sliding or erosion.
This post was originally published on 2021-03-31 by Ryan Crownholm. It was updated on 2024-06-19 to reflect the most recent data.
