Basic Foundation Types
The three common foundation types found in the United States are
basements, crawlspaces and slab-on grade.
- Basement:
an area below the first floor with a minimum height of 6 foot
8 inches. Basement foundations have foundation
walls placed on footings.
- Crawlspace: a shallow and
uninhabitable area, between the soil and the first floor of the
home. A crawlspace usually extends below the frost line or to a stable substrate.
Crawlspaces are generally constructed with foundation
walls and footings,
however, piers may be used when the
crawlspace is above grade.
- Slab-on-grade: a concrete floor (slab) that is poured directly
at grade (ground level) and acts as the first floor sub-surface.
The slab is usually supported by a continuous (spread)
footing, piers or piles
and grade beams.
Foundations transfer the weight or load of the
house to the footings. For more information on foundations, follow the links
below.
________________________________________________________________________
Structure Main Page
Footings
Foundation Walls
Piers
Basements Crawlspaces
