Mon, 2009-03-16 07:51 — thom
I plan on building a 2 story log home with a walkout basement. The home will be built on a slope.
I'm familiar with poured walls, but am wondering about prefab walls. I understand they sit on gravel with no concrete footings as is the norm. They also can be easily insulated and have areas for wiring, etc. Considering that I will be living in this home for quite a while, I want to do the right thing. The expense is secondary. I figure there is no sense building a durable and long lasting home with a foundation that may be questionable for this application.
Anyone who has had experience with them, good or bad, I'd like to hear from you. Naturally, their own website boosts quite a bit of advantages . Thanks.
Comments
Prefab concrete foundtations are designed for speed.
Not necessarily for the best foundation.
I'm with Rocklock on this one, go ICF.
THANKS!
Tue, 2009-03-17 09:44
Thanks guys for your input. And thanks Rocklock for the pics. I will be looking into ICF's.
Superior Walls, not necessarily.
I think you'll find when you do the engineering checks, that the Superior Walls precast foundations will not have sufficient bearing area to support the weight of the house.
basements - the easest way...
thom,
With out doubt, the easiest way to build a basement is by using icf's. We have a member that poured the footer on Thursday, and then poured his basement walls the next Thursday.
Icf's are insulated concrete forms. Check it out. You can do them your selves. I did. Look at my home pictures...
OBTW, two other member also did the same thing. I have another neighbor that also has an ICF basement.
If you want to see more pictures, let me know and I'll post more in the ICF area.
Good luck