A house foundation can be defined as the load-bearing component of the structure which is usually constructed beneath the ground. Essentially, foundations are designed to provide effective support to the structures built above them, keep off groundwater and serve as an efficacious barrier against water or soil vapor. Like most aspects of homebuilding, a property owner is always spoilt for choices when it comes to picking a suitable foundation for their houses. Best of all, making such a decision tends to be relatively straightforward and stress-free.
However, it is always important to bear in mind choosing the ideal foundation for your residential property is one of the most critical factors of constructing homes. Still, it is vital to state that when it is constructed properly, no foundation type holds up much better than the others in the context of longevity. Also, apart from topography, there is no vital factor in settling for one foundation over the next in terms of geography and soil type. So, your choice will tend to run down to personal preference and the budget you have set for your building project.
The Slab-on-grade Foundation
Slab-on-grade foundations are some of the most common varieties of residential property foundations and necessitate the lowest level of ground preparation when contrasted with other alternatives. A slab foundation is in vogue with property owners largely due to its fairly low cost. In fact, this is the greatest benefit of the slab-on-grade foundation and may be the right solution if you are working on a budget. A foundation repair Kansas City slab foundation is as well low maintenance which goes a long way in adding to its pricing value. On the downside, these kinds of foundations make it potentially costly and disruptive to perform repairs and upgrades to your home, particularly for plumbing and electrical fixtures. At the same time, a slab-on-grade foundation provides little protection from storms or other extreme weather conditions.
The Crawlspace Foundation
Houses that feature crawlspace foundations are elevated above the ground. Constructing a crawlspace foundation can help you to cut down on costs, especially when compared to a basement foundation. The greatest plus for a crawlspace foundation is it resolves the slab-on-grade foundation’s greatest problem, accessibility to plumbing fixtures, electrical wiring, and ductwork. This makes it infinitely convenient to execute future repairs and updates. On the other hand, crawlspace foundations, as with slab foundations, provide the least protection against the forces of the elements.
The Basement Foundation
Basement foundations are particularly suitable for anchoring a house to the ground. They also extend the foundation underneath your region’s frost line that assists in preserving the structural soundness of a foundation with the passage of time. The biggest benefit of a basement foundation is it offers extra square footage and at a significantly reduced cost per square foot when contrasted with other areas of a home. Additionally, basement foundations may serve as superb shelters from the elements and will as well offer a solid anchoring for a residential property. On the downside, the basement foundation is noted for being the most costly foundation type, especially if you wish to finish its space.
