FoundationsFoundations

Mr. O’RourkeMr. O’Rourke

ConstructionConstruction

DefinitionDefinition

the first piece of a home to be the first piece of a home to be constructed and creates a base constructed and creates a base for the rest of a home's for the rest of a home's components. There are three components. There are three types of foundations that are types of foundations that are commonly used in the U.S.: full-commonly used in the U.S.: full-height basement, crawlspace, height basement, crawlspace, and slab on grade. and slab on grade.

Full Height BasementFull Height Basement

an accessible space between the an accessible space between the soil and the bottom of the first soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. It usually has floor of a home. It usually has more headroom than a more headroom than a crawlspace. Used in cold climates crawlspace. Used in cold climates due to frost.due to frost.

CrawlspaceCrawlspace

an accessible space with limited an accessible space with limited headroom, typically between the headroom, typically between the soil and the bottom of the first soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. floor of a home.

Slab-on-GradeSlab-on-Grade

a type of foundation consisting of a type of foundation consisting of a structural concrete slab poured a structural concrete slab poured directly on the grade. directly on the grade.

Important InformationImportant Information

Frost LineFrost Line

48” in NYS48” in NYS

Building a FoundationBuilding a Foundation

Usually constructed out of poured Usually constructed out of poured concrete. concrete.

Other options: Other options:

Concrete Masonry Units Concrete Masonry Units

Insulated Concrete FormsInsulated Concrete Forms

Concrete Masonry UnitsConcrete Masonry Units

CMU’s- (Cinder blocks)CMU’s- (Cinder blocks)

Hollow concrete blocks connected Hollow concrete blocks connected with mortar to form wallswith mortar to form walls

Insulated Concrete FormsInsulated Concrete Forms

ICF’s are rigid foam forms which ICF’s are rigid foam forms which concrete is poured into. Once concrete is poured into. Once concrete is cured, forms can be concrete is cured, forms can be kept in place for insulation kept in place for insulation purposes.purposes.