You may have found the perfect lot of land and are dreaming of the new home that will go on it. The design choices you make for the exterior will certainly add to your pleasure when viewing your newly built home, but without a proper foundation that pleasure can turn to pure terror. Foundation issues can lead to cracks, sinking and slab upheaval. To prevent costly repairs in the future, choose the right foundation for your home based on the natural environment where you’re building and whether you need extra living space. The most common types of foundations are listed below.
Wood Foundation
Wood foundations are typically found in northern areas. The benefits can include quicker construction time because wood can be paneled in a factory before being brought onsite, simpler basement finishing because wiring and piping can be run through the studs and larger square footage because no furring walls are needed. Wood is excellent at wicking away moisture in the environment and can be inexpensive to repair when necessary.
Concrete Slab Foundation
When the climate is temperate through the winter, with minimal ground freezing and thawing, a concrete slab Tulsa OK can be used. This is one of the most popular and least expensive options and can protect your home from termites. Also called a slab-on-grade foundation, this type can prove difficult when needing access to drain and water pipes. If you’re area is prone to flooding, however, a concrete slab can prevent costly water damage.
Basement Foundation
There are two common types of basement foundations. A full basement is built entirely underground, while a daylight basement is built partially underground. A finished basement is the most expensive foundation option, but can increase the value of your home tremendously and provide extra living space to enjoy while you’re living in the home. An unfinished basement can be used for additional storage space. Large home equipment, such as water heaters and furnaces, can be placed in them instead of taking up space in the living areas above. If you have the proper slope on your property, you can build a daylight basement, which allows natural light into some areas of the basement.
Before you move onto the more exciting choices of your home design, take the time to choose the proper foundation. Knowing your beautiful new home is settled on a secure foundation will give you peace of mind and confidence for years to come.
