A slab foundation is a layer of concrete on which a structure is built, best suited to climates without freezing and thawing. It is cost-effective but has drawbacks such as strain on the body, higher heating costs, and limited space for appliances. Footings are critical for stability.
A slab foundation is a layer of concrete, usually poured over a prepared surface of earth or gravel, upon which a house or other structure is built. Best suited to climates where freezing and thawing of the ground, and associated soil movement, are not of particular concern, the slab foundations are still securely anchored in the ground to prevent structural damage from environmental causes such as adverse weather conditions or soil displacement. While a structure built on a slab does not have “below grade” space that can be used for residential or storage purposes, it is generally much less expensive to build than a comparable structure with a basement.
In addition to providing a stable, flat, level surface for occupants, the purpose of a slab is to distribute much of the weight that is placed upon it. For example, many walls are “load-bearing” and without some kind of foundation to stand on, they would not only sink to some extent into the ground, but would also respond to every movement in the ground. This is one of the reasons why the soil under a slab-type foundation must be prepared before concrete is poured. For example, the land is usually leveled and covered with gravel and moisture barriers. The thickness of the foundation is calculated based on a number of factors, including the expected load that the slab will bear.
Another critical element of slab construction are footings: concrete “anchors” poured into holes dug in the ground for this purpose. When the foundation is poured, it either rests on these anchors or is attached to them by rebar, steel reinforcing bars that are sunk into the foundation while still wet, providing a high degree of stability for the slab foundation.
The main advantage of slab foundations is cost; a slab is the least expensive foundation option available. However, there are many drawbacks to a slab foundation, especially in residential construction. For example, a slab puts a strain on inhabitants’ legs, feet and backs when they walk on the ground floor. Even with carpeting, much of the shock from each step is absorbed by the skeleton and not the floor. Heating costs in houses with slab foundations are also usually higher, because a lot of cold enters the house through the floor. Plumbing and electrical lines either pass through the slab, making access difficult, or have to be run out of a wall, incurring extra bedding and weathering costs.
Another significant drawback of a slab foundation is that the space must be devoted to appliances that would normally be kept in a basement, such as water heaters, furnaces, and HVAC equipment.
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