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Slab or pier and beam foundation
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:14 pm
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:14 pm
Is there a definitive winner between the 2? Should one be avoided at all costs?
21
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:16 pm to RedRifle
Are you in a flood prone area? If so, pier and beam is better for a couple reasons.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:19 pm to RedRifle
Each has its advantages especially when considering location, but I know which one I prefer and have gone out of my way to have.
Slab all day, everyday.
Slab all day, everyday.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:21 pm to RedRifle
Pier and beam is easier to actually work on, particularly if you are a DIYer.
This post was edited on 5/29/20 at 5:22 pm
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:23 pm to RedRifle
Hybrid slab / pier and beam.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:24 pm to RedRifle
Slabs wear out your back.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:24 pm to LegendInMyMind
quote:
Pier and beam is easier to actually work on, particularly if you are a DIYer.
I was able to completely re-plumb our's with PEX when we tore out part of the kitchen floor due to a leak. It was much easier due to pier and beam construction.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:34 pm to RedRifle
Pier and beam is better if you decide you want to add electrical or plumbing later.
There’s no right or wrong answer to your question.
If you go with pier and beam, I’d suggest pouring a thin slab. It’s no fun crawling around in wet slimy dirt. When Pop built his house, he had the contractors pour a slab between the chain walls. His was on 4’ piers and it was so nice when we had to do work for additions under there.
There’s no right or wrong answer to your question.
If you go with pier and beam, I’d suggest pouring a thin slab. It’s no fun crawling around in wet slimy dirt. When Pop built his house, he had the contractors pour a slab between the chain walls. His was on 4’ piers and it was so nice when we had to do work for additions under there.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:36 pm to RedRifle
Depends on your local geology
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:38 pm to RedRifle
quote:
Slab or pier and beam foundation
Wheels on cinder blocks are GOAT.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:50 pm to RedRifle
frick a slab. Any settlement, you're fricked. Broken plumping, cracked floors, flooding during heavy rains.
Pier and beam, easy peasy to adjust for differential settlement, maintain electric, water and drain lines. Only neg is chance of freezing water lines if you live somewhere really cold but nothing a little pipe insulation can't handle.
a-hole contractors like slab on grade because it is cheaper and easier to construct and idiot homebuyers only care about what is above the foundation.
I would strongly avoid slab on grade construction. Even post tensioned will have problems with differential settlement and a maintenance nightmare for the plumbing.
Spend the extra money for pier and beam. You can thank me later.
Pier and beam, easy peasy to adjust for differential settlement, maintain electric, water and drain lines. Only neg is chance of freezing water lines if you live somewhere really cold but nothing a little pipe insulation can't handle.
a-hole contractors like slab on grade because it is cheaper and easier to construct and idiot homebuyers only care about what is above the foundation.
I would strongly avoid slab on grade construction. Even post tensioned will have problems with differential settlement and a maintenance nightmare for the plumbing.
Spend the extra money for pier and beam. You can thank me later.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:50 pm to RedRifle
Slab 100%
Posted on 5/29/20 at 6:19 pm to RedRifle
In a hot, humid climate properly sealing and insulating an elevated structure is vey difficult.
Access is another issue for anybody who has to access the structure with a walker or wheelchair.
Pier and beam definitely has access advantages for some utilities but you can certainly run water overhead in slab on grade and only have low pressure sewer under the slab.
In a severe settlement environment like New Orleans my recommendation is the exact opposite due to settlement issues in that region.
Access is another issue for anybody who has to access the structure with a walker or wheelchair.
Pier and beam definitely has access advantages for some utilities but you can certainly run water overhead in slab on grade and only have low pressure sewer under the slab.
In a severe settlement environment like New Orleans my recommendation is the exact opposite due to settlement issues in that region.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 6:46 pm to AndyCBR
I've had both...My current home is pier and beam (it's 85 years old and I suppose most homes that age would be), and If I'm going to generalize, I'd say that's my favorite type of build. The flexibility it gives when you need to work on really anything - HVAC, electric, plumbing, A/V - you always have a route to do it. I also agree with the posters on comfort. Feels better under foot. I have no idea how the two compare in cost for new construction, but I know concrete is very expensive right now, but most new houses I see are slab where I live.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 6:49 pm to RedRifle
Who doesn't pour a slab in 2020? How poor are yall 
I've seen one P&B new house in NWLA in the last 25 years
I've seen one P&B new house in NWLA in the last 25 years
Posted on 5/29/20 at 6:51 pm to RedRifle
I built a year ago in Baton Rouge with a post tension slab. If I could do it all over again, I would probably do pier and beam depending on cost differential. Bringing in dirt and building a huge house pad is $$$$. Thankfully I didn't have to do that because I'm in flood zone X, but that also means my house isn't as high as I would prefer for aesthetics (like with a few stairs leading to front porch). Now, other houses are starting to build next to me and they're pouring their slabs slightly higher, which makes my house look lower and I get all the water runoff. Although I should never flood based on where I live, I still get all kinds of nervous when rain is pouring down.
I don't know what cost difference would have been, but I I definitely wish I would have at least inquired about pier and beam.
I don't know what cost difference would have been, but I I definitely wish I would have at least inquired about pier and beam.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 6:54 pm to DLauw
quote:
If you go with pier and beam, I’d suggest pouring a thin slab. It’s no fun crawling around in wet slimy dirt
Good idea. I remember helping my Dad fix a broken pipe. Lying under the house in the mud, my Dad said "Son...always rent".
Posted on 5/29/20 at 8:01 pm to RedRifle
I only dropped in to say I have never lived in a house on a slab.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 8:17 pm to Strannix
Is P&B only for poors?
Posted on 5/29/20 at 8:22 pm to RedRifle
It depends on soil conditions.
Some like pier and beam because you have crawl space and access to underfloor.
My brother did an elevated slab.
Mine is post tension slab on grade but I’m in an area with expansive soils.
Some like pier and beam because you have crawl space and access to underfloor.
My brother did an elevated slab.
Mine is post tension slab on grade but I’m in an area with expansive soils.
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