|
Permanent Wood Foundations
|
|
|
Check Out Nick's New Book On Amazon |
Permanent wood foundations (PWF)
have been in existence for many years. Yet, talk to many contractors and
you’ll find relatively few have actually investigated this method for
building a warm, dry and comparatively easy basement or crawlspace. Many builders have scoffed at the idea of wood foundations, suggesting they will not perform as well under adverse conditions. Yet, wood foundations have in fact compared as well or better than concrete in all types of extreme weather, such as floods or earthquakes.. In fact, wood foundations performed much better during seismic testing thanks to their ability to “give” during earthquakes, whereas concrete simply cracked. Wood foundations circumvent many of the problems associated with poured concrete or block wall construction methods. The wood foundation, constructed from specially treated lumber (it must be coded for use in foundation applications…it’s not the same as pressure treated lumber), can be built in any climate…no waiting for good weather to pour concrete. The construction methods are the same for building any type of above grade wall, so there’s no need to hire a separate concrete crew. The walls of a PWF can be insulated, providing a dry and extremely livable below grade living space. With over 200,000 wood foundations installed, the method is proven, reliable and approved by all major building codes. The overall cost is lower, with a finished PWF (insulated to about R-20) coming in at roughly the same cost as an un-insulated concrete foundation. The life expectancy of a PWF is rated at 100+ years. Like any foundation, drainage must be properly designed to prevent water infiltration of the structure. The exterior of a PWF is lined with a heavy plastic barrier, which effectively seals it from moisture. Final grading around the perimeter should shed water away from the structure. These types of foundations are adaptable to any type of design and can be used in almost any type of residential project. Most manufactures of wood foundations will be happy to assist the new builder with design specs, test data and building code assistance, if needed. While some wood foundations are set on concrete footers, most are simply built below grade with the bottom plates resting on a layer of gravel covering undisturbed soil. As always, soils tests are recommended, as any type of foundation should be engineered for local soil conditions. As with any building technique, builders should always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and discuss this type of building method with their local building officials prior to construction. For more information, go to www.woodfoundations.com.Construction Estimating Software |
|
|
Copyright (c) 2006-2008 Litening Software, LLC Contact Us Your PrivacyAre Your Sick and Tired of Losing Money on Every Estimate? Discover how you can:
|