Part IV- Different Types of Home Foundations and When to Use Each

Written by Mark Mathis


The foundation isrepparttar first piece of a home to be constructed and creates a base forrepparttar 147422 rest of a home's components. There are three types of foundations that are commonly used inrepparttar 147423 U.S.: slab, crawlspace, and basement.

Slab Foundation

Slab is a type of foundation consisting of a structural concrete slab poured directly onrepparttar 147424 grade. No accessible space exists in slab construction. Slab foundations are popular in areas (i.e.repparttar 147425 Southern United States) where there is a relatively high water table. (Water table refers torepparttar 147426 depth inrepparttar 147427 soil at which you find water).

Crawlspace Foundation

A crawlspace is an accessible space with limited headroom, typically betweenrepparttar 147428 soil andrepparttar 147429 bottom ofrepparttar 147430 first floor of a home. Crawlspace construction is predominant in areas where there is heavy clay content inrepparttar 147431 soil.

Basement Foundation

A basement is an accessible space betweenrepparttar 147432 soil andrepparttar 147433 bottom ofrepparttar 147434 first floor of a home. It usually has more headroom than a crawlspace. Basement foundation construction is predominant in cold climates whererepparttar 147435 foundation needs to be situated belowrepparttar 147436 frost level.

All three foundation types are usually constructed out of concrete, but can also use concrete masonry units or insulated concrete forms.

Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are hollow, concrete blocks. To createrepparttar 147437 foundation wall, mortar is used between blocks to hold them together, formingrepparttar 147438 wall.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are made of rigid foam insulation forms (a system of support assemblies, including mold, hardware, and necessary bracing to hold concrete) into which concrete is poured. Oncerepparttar 147439 concrete has gained its full strength,repparttar 147440 outside forms,repparttar 147441 inside forms, or both are left in place to insulaterepparttar 147442 wall. ICFs are common in regions in whichrepparttar 147443 local building code requiresrepparttar 147444 foundation to be insulated. Another benefit is thatrepparttar 147445 homeowner or builder is able to finish basement immediately, without adding studs.

Choosingrepparttar 147446 Type of Foundation:

Homeowners and builders make decisions about which type of foundation to use by gauging cost, needs/desires, and soil and weather conditions. If you have high water tables then it may not be possible to have a basement. If your land has shallow bedrock or boulders then it may be more costly to dig a basement. If you have a sloping lot it may be difficult to use a slab foundation. If you have a cold climate then you may need to dig down at least four or more feet to putrepparttar 147447 home's footings below frost level. If you have to go at least four feet deep then it may be worth spending some extra money to dig a few feet deeper and have a full basement. Also, it is easier to install and maintain mechanical systems in basements (compared to a crawlspace). Your builder can help you determine what type of foundation is best suited for your area.

Store Discount Cards

Written by David Catt


Publishing Guidelines: Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print as long as it is unedited andrepparttar bylines atrepparttar 147421 end are included. If published onrepparttar 147422 web,repparttar 147423 url inrepparttar 147424 resource box must be hyperlinked. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Thanks!

The Litter Box by David Catt Subject #1.2: Store Discount Cards. ©2004-05 - David B. Catt - all rights reserved

Ever wonder why stores really offer a discount card instead of just a sale? Loyalty?? Whatever name they put on them. One store calls it "Preferred". Makes me feel just so special (not). Funny how I never get "Preferred" treatment over someone that doesn't have a card! Maybe an exclusive checkout lines for those of us to whomrepparttar 147425 store has grantedrepparttar 147426 privilege of a card. So many times, I have been stuck waiting at checkout behind someone that does not have a card. :(

Where is what I believe happens: So what doesrepparttar 147427 store get in return for giving you a discount? Answer: Money! Hard to believe thatrepparttar 147428 store can make lots of money by giving you discount!

How? Answer: They sellrepparttar 147429 information about what you purchased to marketing research companies. Yes, several different marketing research companies. By allowing them to scan your card each time you shop, you give them permission to collect information that they may share (read as sell) with others as they see fit. That isrepparttar 147430 easiest and low investment moneyrepparttar 147431 store makes. The informationrepparttar 147432 store already gathers to track their stock instantly turn into easy money withrepparttar 147433 swipe of your card. Why do you think they always ask you forrepparttar 147434 discount card even if you don't necessarily have discounted item?

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