Housing construction question.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-08-11 01:48am

All the new houses around here are being built on concrete slabs instead of the older raised foundations. I was just curious, is this done for economic reasons or is there something better about a slab from an engineering point of view?

Are slabs common all around the country now or just here in CA ? Most houses here dont have basements, and newer tract homes, never have basements.

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-08-11 02:30am

I'd imagine it's for stability on soft land...

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-08-11 02:45am

Slabs are cheap and quick. Its hard on the feet, though.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-08-11 03:01am

Howedar wrote:Slabs are cheap and quick.

The true not only of the slab its self, but its easier to build everything else on top of one as well. They are also better for earthquakes then a riased foundation, but only if built stoutly.

Basements are not found with many new houses because they're expensive and slow to dig and also can be quite expensive to maintain in many areas.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-08-11 03:07am

Yes, but you leave out the intermediate of the crawlspace system.

Thats what our house has, and I like it that way.

theski · Post by **theski** » 2003-08-11 07:54am

It also is an advantage when it comes to resisting Termites...

It is the way to build in the South.. also if you have a high water table or build on marsh land....

Hethrir · Post by **Hethrir** » 2003-08-11 07:57am

I think warmth has something to do with it as well.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2003-08-11 08:01am

Also, if you can get in before the concrete sets, you can write your name in it.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-08-12 12:47am

Thanks all for the answers. I spend about an hour under the house Im helping fix up. Having a crawl space certainly makes running wires easier.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-12 12:38pm

It's also because on soft ground they tend not to have the same problems with settling. Quite simply there's less weight to worry about not to mention it's quicker and cheaper.