The type of foundation your home has is important. Here’s why

Building a new home comes with so many decisions, and some days they all seem equally important. But there is one decision that has the greatest impact on the stability and longevity of your home: choosing a foundation.

There are several ways to build a foundation, and thanks to North Texas’ unique climate and soil conditions, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right type of foundation for your home.

We’ll talk about these considerations, but first let’s look at the types of foundations available for you and your new home.

Foundation types

Although there are more types of foundations, there are three foundations that are most commonly used in single-family homes. When we’re talking about the Dallas-Fort Worth region, it’s actually only worth considering two of these foundations – the third, a basement foundation, is rarely used in Texas because of the region’s warm climate and expansive soils is compatible.

Here’s what you should know about the remaining two foundation types:

• Pillar and beam foundation: This foundation is built above the ground and consists of beams supported by concrete or masonry pillars. This elevation (which places the house at least 18 inches above the ground) creates a crawl space beneath the house. Pier and beam foundations work well for homes built on shifting or unstable topsoil, in areas at risk of flooding, or in areas of ongoing erosion.
• Slab foundation: This foundation is simple: it is a concrete slab reinforced with rebar (you also hear it called a “slab foundation”). Plates are typical of Texas (and the South more broadly) due to the region’s warmer climate. In a cold climate, a foundation must be buried deeper in the ground, but thanks to Texas’ relatively mild and short winters, a slab works just fine.

Ground and weather readiness

The type of house foundation not only depends on the preferences of the owner or builder, but should also depend on soil and climate aspects. Before we talk about the durability of pier and beam foundations compared to slab foundations, let’s address DFW’s challenging soil conditions.

North Texas has extensive clay soils, meaning the soil shrinks and shrinks when dry and expands when the soil is saturated. The volume of expansive soils can change drastically depending on weather conditions, which can cause shifting and cracking in the foundation.

With that in mind, let’s learn how each foundation interacts with the region’s soil and weather.

Slab foundations

When drought, heat, or winter freeze in North Texas causes the soil to shrink and retreat by a slab; the plate itself can move or settle. This movement can cause cracks in the foundation and other parts of your home, which can be serious if not addressed.

However, it is relatively easy to maintain a slab through regular watering and watering so that the outer edges of your slab remain as moist as the center of the slab. Moisture is another consideration, as panels also cannot withstand excess water.

If you are having drainage issues in your yard, your soil may need an associated sump pump or drainage system. A free consultation with the DFW foundation experts at Ecoscape could help you explore slab drainage solutions.

Pillar and beam foundations

Pier and beam foundations offer a little more flexibility on expansive ground because they can be adjusted and leveled to accommodate movement. However, these foundations have their own challenges in the North Texas climate. During a cold snap, uninsulated pipes in an open crawl space can freeze.

On the other hand, if a crawl space is not properly ventilated, the structure and your floor can become moldy and rot. This is an especially important consideration in DFW, a humid subtropical climate where summer days can be stuffy.

Comparison of costs and maintenance

These two types of foundations have different initial investments and maintenance requirements that you should consider when choosing a foundation.

Slab foundations

A concrete slab foundation is generally less expensive than alternatives and is a cost-effective option. While your final price will depend on labor costs, slab thickness, and square footage, you can expect to pay between $4 and $8 per square foot for a slab foundation.

However, a reasonable price doesn’t mean the quality is inferior – with the right contractor and careful maintenance, a concrete slab can last 100 years.

When it comes to maintenance and repairs, panels have a major disadvantage. Your plumbing and some electrical infrastructure are typically embedded in the concrete, meaning this infrastructure can be damaged if your slab moves or cracks. To fix these problems, a professional will need to go over the foundation.

Repairing a floor slab can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on whether you are dealing with a small crack or need a larger solution such as mudjacking. Luckily, DFW homeowners can turn to Ecoscape for any type of slab repair—and for a free, professional evaluation.

Pillar and beam foundations

These foundations are a bit more expensive – expect to pay around $7 to $12 per square foot to install pier and beam foundations.

The pier and beams require significant maintenance and vigilance to protect them from moisture damage or rot, and the associated crawlspace provides space for bugs and insects. However, this crawl space also allows easy access to the plumbing and electrical functions beneath your home, making other types of maintenance easier.

Ecoscape is one of the few companies in Dallas that still repairs this type of foundation, making them the perfect choice for slab and beam maintenance.

The foundation of your home should meet your needs. When it comes to choosing the right type of foundation, you can trust the professionals at Ecoscape – now available for free testing – to help you make the right choice.

This article was created by an external contributor. Members of The Dallas Morning News Editorial and news staff were not involved in the creation of this content.