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The first step of home construction is finding land. You must then decide what type of foundation to base the structure on to provide stability and moisture protection. Here is some insight into slab and crawl spaces to help you choose the best fit for your needs.

Slab Foundations 

home construction Dearborn County INHomes with slab foundations are built on top of thick, solid concrete. This option is best for flat or mostly-flat lots because it creates a stable foundation for shallow steel-reinforced footings to support a level concrete slab. 

Home construction teams don’t use slab foundations in places that go below freezing. These changing temperatures cause dirt to move as it expands and contracts, making it likely that a slab foundation will crack or shift and damage the home.

Building on concrete prevents outside air temperatures from permeating into the home, saving energy by insulating the floor and preventing cold transfer. Home construction experts may also install continuous horizontal insulation under the slab to prevent air exchange.

Slab foundations can last 50 years or more and are excellent for regions with exceptional amounts of rain because they won’t expose joists or flooring to moisture. Slabs also feature vapor barriers made of polyethylene sheeting under the concrete to limit water absorption from the ground. Homeowners can maintain slab foundations by refraining from planting trees within 50 feet of the house. This spacing prevents roots from growing through the slab and breaking it, making the home vulnerable to moisture and structural issues.

Crawl Spaces

Houses with crawl spaces are lifted about a foot-and-a-half off the ground via concrete walls. This space below the home allows plumbers and electricians to reach wiring and pipes under the building. Crawl spaces are great for sloped land because they require minimal excavation to install the walls instead of leveling off the ground for a slab. 

Home construction teams build footing below the frost line in places that freeze to provide ample foundation stabilization. Houses in wet areas should not have crawl spaces because high humidity under the home can cause mold growth and rot through the wooden subflooring and joists.

Crawl spaces can last 50 years or longer but may need structural repairs. Home construction on high-clay-content soil is likely to expand with moisture, potentially cracking the crawl space walls. These supports require wall and floor insulation to reduce air exchange that can minimize house energy efficiency.

 

People interested in home construction should contact the award-winning design team at Greg Gavin Construction in Dearborn County, IN. The area builder creates personalized houses based on your preferences and budget. Visit the website or call the Lawrenceburg location at (812) 637-5202 for information on their custom home building.

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