If you’re considering installing an extension onto your home, or engaging in a residential construction project, the first thing you must do is look into the different types of building foundations to identify which will be best to suit the requirements of your project. To determine the correct type of foundation for your site, you will need to see what options are available on the market. Let’s take a further look into the different types of foundations and how they are suited for different project requirements.
For house extensions and residential builds, the most common types of foundations are:
- Strip Foundations
- Raft Foundations
- Trench-Fill
- Pad Foundation
- Piled Foundation
Let’s take a look at each of these types of foundations in more detail:
Strip Foundations
This first type of foundation is made up of a strip of concrete. Strip foundations are a type of shallow foundation used for relatively low loads, usually on reasonably stable earth. The concrete strips comprising the foundation are continuous end-to-end, spreading the load evenly across the area. Strip foundations are best suited for smaller projects consisting of a single storey house or an outbuilding.
Raft Foundations
Raft foundations are a great option for grounds that are too weak to withstand a regular traditional foundation. Raft foundations are similar to strip foundations, except the ‘raft’ covers a large area (or the entire area) of the structure, rather than using parallel strips.
Trench-Fill Foundations
The trench-fill foundation are also very similar to strip foundations, and could be considered a cast in-situ version. Contractors will create a trench to the desired depth and then fill it with concrete to form the foundations. Trench-fill foundations can be less invasive, and require fewer materials, than strip foundations.
Pad Foundations
Pad foundations are mostly used to provide additional support to isolated loads, such as support columns and pillars. The pad will sit underneath a major support point, acting as a miniature raft foundation, to offer it additional load bearing support.
Piled Foundations
Piled foundations are deep foundations used to either transfer to load to a stronger layer of earth (end-bearing piles), or to transfer it to the surrounding soil (friction piles). Deep foundation piling is a fantastic option if the grounds you are working on are unstable or aren’t sturdy enough to support the load.
Here at Rhino Piling, we are full of knowledge on all things piling extensions and everything in between. We pride ourselves on offering a premium and top-quality service that you can rely on.
If you’re looking for the best piling Manchester has to offer, or want to make an enquiry about our mini piling services, get in touch with the Rhino Piling team today!
