I frequently get questions online about foundations. Often, homeowners want to know what materials to use to create a strong, lasting foundation for their homes.

The foundation is the most important part of your home. It’s – well – the foundation to building a strong home and doing it right. If you’re building a new home, you will want to ensure that you’re taking care to start with a good foundation, and that you’re protecting it properly. You want something that will last – while keeping water out.

There’s a lot to read out there about foundations. Here’s some information on concrete blocks, concrete pour, and insulated concrete forms:

Concrete Block

Strong, sturdy, and easy to work with, concrete blocks offer an affordable material for your next foundation.

A well-built concrete block foundation has great compressive strength – that is, its resistance to breaking under compression is high. That’s a good thing because it means it can stand more weight being placed on top of the foundation.

Concrete blocks contain hollow areas that should be further strengthened by rebar and poured concrete filling these spaces. Along with added strength, this gives the foundation an extra insulating power to help keep the house warm during the winter.

Concrete Pour & Insulated Concrete Forms

Generally a little more expensive than concrete block foundations – a pour foundation may be a stronger choice than concrete block. While concrete block boasts higher compressive strength, you can count on a pour foundation to have greater lateral strength. This means it has better resistance against the pressure from soil or water from the outside. This will resist fracture from these elements a little better, but no matter what kind of foundation you have, you always need to take extra steps to ensure it’s waterproofed.

A concrete pour foundation tends to be a quicker install than what you’d see with a concrete block foundation, which could end up saving you money on labour costs.

When looking at pour foundations, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are an option to consider. ICF use shapes made of rigid foam insulation and are reinforced with steel. These forms guide the pouring of concrete to create a permanent wall. They fit together like my grandkid’s building blocks, which I think is really slick. Once the concrete is poured, you end up with a straight, strong wall.

The downside to using ICF is that it can be difficult to see defects after the concrete has been poured. You want to make sure that you’re using a reputable contractor and that it’s installed with proper techniques. That said, if I’m building a foundation – I’m using ICF.

Protect From the Outside

Choosing the right foundation style is only half the battle. Concrete is porous and can absorb any air or moisture that it comes into contact with it. Waterproofing a foundation is a no-brainer – the last thing you want is water seeping and causing damage to the rest of your home.

Once the foundation is set, you will want to have it wrapped in a waterproof membrane. Usually this will be a black tar compound that will be painted on top of the foundation – and is then covered by a waterproof mastic coating, mesh coating, and one final layer of mastic. This is all in the name of preventing water vapour from penetrating your concrete.

Your home needs to start with a strong foundation. Make sure you’re choosing the right material – and having it waterproofed properly. By using the correct materials and waterproofing from the outside, you’ll have taken the right steps to having a solid foundation and keeping the inside of your home water free.

A Good Home Needs A Solid Foundation That Will Last by Mike Holmes | National Post