When adding an extension to your home, the first thing you will need to consider is what type of foundation will need to be used to accommodate the project.
How do you determine which type of piling your foundation will require?
You will need either a traditional or deep piled foundation. But what is the difference between the two? We can share some insight into what goes into determining the type of foundation that is required before you call a qualified professional for a first-hand inspection.
Main Types of Foundation
For house extensions, the main types of foundations are:
- Strip Foundations
These foundations are made up of a continuous strip of concrete. They are most suitable for supporting load-bearing walls for a single storey house or outbuilding.
- Raft Foundation
If the soil is too weak to bear the load with a traditional foundation – if the building work is done on peat or clay, for example, a reinforced concrete ‘raft’ helps distribute the load’s weight over a much broader area.
- Trench-Fill
A somewhat simplified version of a strip foundation where contractors will dig a trench to an appropriate depth for the building and fill it with concrete. The concrete will most likely be reinforced.
- Pad Foundation
Used to support isolated loads, such as those created from heavy steel beams, or at joint intersections for post-and-beam frame houses.
- Piled Foundation
Piled foundations are used to create a strong support in soil that is unstable or incapable of bearing a load on its own. If the soil has a large content of sand, clay or peat, this will be the most effective way to build out the foundation.
For most building extensions, it is important to look at the current foundations used in order to ascertain which will be the preferred option for any further piling extensions. Contact Rhino for queries into piling in Manchester.
