What You Need to Know About Crawl Space Foundations

When determining what type of foundation is best for your new home, you need to take several factors into consideration. Going through the list of the pros and cons of each type of foundation instead of looking at one type of foundation at a time will help you determine which method is best for the area of the country you live in. Crawl space foundations have a huge benefit over slabs and basements in certain regions, particularly in areas prone to flooding or areas with a large amount of red clay. Crawl space foundations are also common in areas that get earthquakes because they are less likely to crack than slab foundations or basements.

Is a crawl space foundation the right choice for your home? Here are some other benefits to consider:

Crawl Space Foundation Benefits

• Crawl spaces are good for sloped lots since the footers can be installed in "steps."
• Crawl spaces offer more access to utility lines.
• They are easier to inspect for termites or other pests.
• Depending on the type of walls and insulation in your crawl space, the space can be used as additional storage.
• Crawl spaces allow you to build decks or porches off the ground.
• Crawl spaces can last 50 or more years if properly taken care of and not damaged by flooding.
• A crawl space is less likely to suffer damage from tree roots.
• The subfloors are usually wood, which is more comfortable to walk on than the hard concrete in a slab foundation.

The Disadvantages of a Crawl Space Foundation

One major disadvantage to crawl spaces is that it's difficult for those with mobility challenges to access the area under the house. Also, unless properly insulated, they are not as energy efficient as a basement or slab foundation.

Additional disadvantages to consider:

• Crawl spaces require you to build steps up to your home.
• Crawl spaces can be more expensive and more time-consuming than other foundations to build.
• Crawl spaces allow pests to make their way under your home.

Valuation

When you decide to sell your home, the type of foundation you select could affect your home's value depending. Some people do not like the look of a house sitting on the ground and would be less likely to make a higher offer on a house with a slab foundation as opposed to a home with a crawl space.

Additionally, if you decide on a slab and the rest of the homes have crawl spaces or basements, this could drop the value of your home, simply because it's not like the rest of the homes in the neighborhood. This also works in reverse - if the homes in you area have slabs and you elect a crawl space, you could affect the valuation of your home.

Before making a decision, discuss your options with your builder and find out what he thinks is the best type of foundation for your area.