Sunday, November 16, 2014

Why Permanent Wood Foundations Are A Good Idea

By Charles Powell


Universally Accepted - Using a permanent wood foundation (PWF) is accepted by nearly all insurance companies, warranty programs, major building codes, mortgage companies, and financial lending institutions throughout the nation.

Adaptable and Versatile - PWFs are usable in a wide range of building styles and configurations for level and sloping sites and provide a sturdy foundation system. The adaptability of PWFs allows for its use in buildings of virtually any external shape. It is capable of supporting both single- and multi-level homes. This system is easily adjusted in order to deal with a variety of soil conditions, including high-water tables and low-bearing soils. In addition, these wood foundations are able to be modified and expanded, lending them to major restorations.

Ease of Construction - Due to the overall construction of the PWF system, it is quick and easy to use. It consists of framing methods that are quite similar to those found in a standard building. The system can accommodate customizations, such as a crawlspace or a full-height basement.

Strong Foundation - The PWF includes an engineered foundation structure system created to effectively absorb and distribute soil and wind along with seismic stresses and loads that would otherwise typically split and crack other kinds of foundations. Furthermore, PWF is extremely resilient to certain damage due to cold weather conditions, while cracking from slight settlements in the soil is significantly decreased as well. The fact that the foundation's structure can "give" with slight soil settlements in addition to other changes greatly decreases the required maintenance it calls for.

Install in Virtually Any Weather Conditions - In addition to being structurally sound, quick, and easy to construct, the PWF system can be built in virtually any weather at nearly anytime throughout the year, which reduces the expense that generally occurs with other types of foundation systems.

Longevity - With a lifespan of more than a century long, the PWF can be installed with sheer confidence to enable a vast variety of building configurations and types for both sloping and level sites. The system's durability factor has been clearly illustrated time and time again with in-ground testing performed over the last 50 years by a number of Federal organizations.

Eco-friendliness - Despite the fact that using wood for a foundation seems non-eco-friendly, there is a sizable difference in the amount of energy used to produce the wood in question and the masonry products that might be used in place of it. As a result, it is actually more environmentally sound to use these wooden products. This wood also does not leach any harmful chemicals into the ground or spew them in the air. Since trees are considered a renewable resource, the wood that comes from them is also renewable. This quality earns PWFs the distinction of being "green technology."

Prefabrication - On days that are not conducive to placing a foundation, a PWF can be constructed elsewhere in a dry shop. This prefabrication allows for the foundation to ready for assembly when the weather cooperates.

Easily Finished - In a traditional foundation, there is a need to add in framing for the walls. Once PWF is installed, it is easily finished because the wall studs are in place already.

Perfect for Rural Areas - In rural areas, PWF can be built without any need for concrete at all; the best situation where concrete may not be readily available or cost too much.




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