Not a political question about the Marquette, Mi. area. A construction question

[NNN0LHI]

I was in Marquette a couple of months ago. I have a nephew who goes to college there and my brother and I went up to see him and take in the sights.

Very beautiful area. My brother says he would like to retire there. Too much snow for me.

But my question concerns the building foundations in that area. Where I live here in Il. the majority of home and small business foundations are all poured concrete. In Marquette I noticed everything had cinder block foundations. Even new construction. What the reason for this is I don't know? But it has been bugging me.

Is it because of a scarcity of concrete? Maybe a poured concrete foundation is more susceptible to cracking from the colder temperatures? (I was thinking cinder block could crack too but that could be more easily repaired than a poured concrete foundation maybe?

I don't know? I am just guessing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year too.

Don

[BR_Parkway]

1. if it's a poured slab foundation vs a crawlspace with cinder block

then the air space acts as an insulator along with the insulation in the flooring vs the direct transfer of heat through the cold earth to concrete slab

[NNN0LHI]

2. I am not sure?

The home I am living in now has a poured foundation with a 4 foot crawl space beneath it. This is a very common design here. Or they just go a bit deeper and put in a basement.

I have seen cinder block used occasionally around here but not very often. Mostly see them used on older homes or under double wides. But I hardly ever if ever see cinder block foundations used in new home construction around here.

But in Marquette it seemed cinder block was the exclusive way to go for some reason?

Perhaps concrete costs are so close to cinder block around here most people just go with poured concrete? Might be code? I never even considered that until right now.

Thanks for your help.

Don

[LisaM]

3. Is it related to having basements?

I know that in Michigan you need to have some sort of basement, crawlspace, or cellar - as I understand it, unless it's changed, you can't just pour concrete on the ground for a house. I live in Washington now, and you can do that - it seemed very strange to me when I moved here that all the houses didn't have basements.

[noonwitch]

4. There might be a reason why they don't have basements in Marquette

maybe there's an issue with the water table or something. I've never been up there, so I can't tell you why it is that way.

[Lefty48197]

5. Good question.

First things first. Marquette county IS one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Go a county or two west to see THE most beautiful places on earth.

If a home's foundation is made out of block, then they must have excavated the entire basement, or at least a crawl space. Otherwise, you just dig a trench with a backhoe and fill it with concrete and rebar, and build your house right on top of that. Once you've excavated the basement, it's cheaper to use a block foundation than a poured concrete foundation, plus you can also fill the block with vermiculite or something similar which adds to the insulative properties.

[etherealtruth]

6. I love the U.P.

My guess is that it is a heating/insulation issue ... It is cold and snowy there so I googled Poured concrete vs. cinderblock foundations and got:

http://www.soundhome.com/wkstone/webkeystone.py/Q/UserID-biz_soundhome/A/Profile-consult/consult.prof/A/topic-Foundations/A/keyword-

Question #140
Topic: Foundations
Subject: Concrete Slab Versus Crawl Space
Q: I am having a house built near Indianapolis, and the builder I am looking at now uses concrete slab foundations and will not build a crawl space or basements. My concern is about future maintenance should the plumbing develop leaks. I have been told that the water pipes will be continuous pipe, insulated and surrounded with pea gravel. The slab itself will be insulated. Should I be concerned about future maintenance of plumbing?
Jeff
A: I would be less concerned about the potential plumbing issues than about the quality of insulation and even heating of the house. It is much easier to insulate the floors of a house with a crawl space or basement.
Slab on grade foundations tend to be less expensive and work quite well in warmer climates. However, due to the fact that they place the floor level near ground level, drainage and soil/wood contact issues are also potential problems.
George


Question #141
Topic: Foundations
Subject: More on: Concrete Slab vs. Crawl Space
Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a concrete slab house versus a pier and beam house? Is it possible to build a pier and beam house with floors that will never creak?
Rachel
San Angelo TX
A: I can only think of one reason for a slab on grade foundation--lower cost. A concrete perimeter foundation and an adequate crawl space is my first choice - basements are also a good choice. A crawl space allows for the installation and maintenance of insulation, ducting, plumbing, electrical wiring, ventilation and drainage systems. While all of this is possible without a crawl space, any future maintenance, repair or modification is much more difficult.
What's an 'adequate' crawl space? Code says 12" of clearance under the beams and 18" under the joists. My girth - ever growing - calls for more, say 24" - 36" minimum. I think that most of my colleagues would agree.
One common argument for a slab on grade floor in lack of floor squeaks. Good framing with "truss joists" (wooden I beams) can create a very stable and very quiet floor.
George