Step-by-step instructions for building the foundation of a frame house

Frame houses should be built on solid and reliable foundations. To do this, you need to build a high-quality foundation. To carry out such work, it is not at all necessary to turn to expensive services of specialists. Homeowners can build a good, durable foundation themselves. Today we will take a closer look at how to prepare the foundation for a frame house.

A frame house is a fairly light construction. Such structures can be erected on almost any foundations. The main thing is to competently approach the preparation of such a foundation and use high-quality materials that meet all the requirements. In addition, it is very important to take into account the type of soil and its characteristics.

Homeowners can do the following:

• Order drilling a well to take soil, then send it for analysis to a laboratory. Based on the results identified, engineers will be able to carry out all the required calculations. As a result, you will be able to build a very strong foundation "for centuries." If you decide to go this way, then you should know that it will cost a tidy sum.
• There is another method for constructing the foundation for a frame house. This method is based on the experience of neighbors living in this area, as well as on their own knowledge. This path is followed by most of the users who are going to build a dwelling.

A distinctive feature of the basis for a frame structure is its low cost. This is due to the fact that such buildings are lightweight, especially when compared with brick or block structures.

To choose a specific type of foundation for a frame structure, you need to take into account a number of specific factors:

• an important role is played by the properties of the soil, on which it is planned to arrange the foundation and erect a house;
• you need to take into account the presence of a basement area;
• the weight of the overall structure of the house is also important, which mainly depends on the materials from which it is planned to be built;
• the proximity of groundwater, as well as the rate of soil freezing.

Before proceeding with the construction of the foundation for a frame house, it is important to determine the properties of the soil. To understand this issue, you can order geological surveys, but this, as mentioned above, will be expensive. As a rule, people on their own determine the level of groundwater, their proximity, as well as the immediate composition of the soil. To do this, you need to dig a hole (with a depth of about 1.5 m) and examine the cut of the soil.

So, sandy-stony, rocky or gravel bases in which there is no clay, as well as coarse sandy soils without any inclusions, are an ideal solution for arranging a foundation. These bases do not accumulate moisture, and do not swell when freezing.

Soils with a high clay content, next to which there is groundwater, are distinguished by the fact that they swell under freezing conditions.

Only after determining the type of soil can you choose a specific type of foundation for a frame house. This feature must be taken into account, otherwise the structure may not be the strongest and most durable.

When choosing a suitable type of foundation, it is important to take into account not only the type of soil, but also the features of the frame house itself. Similar structures are erected from wooden bars or metal profiles. The structures are complemented by various kinds of insulation, finishing, as well as hydro and vapor barrier coatings.

In a single ensemble, these components form a kind of "pie", which consists of:

• plasterboard slabs, which act as a finish located in the inner part of the structure;
• special membranes that prevent fumes from entering the ceiling;
• insulation, which can be slabs or roll coatings;
• finishing material consisting of polymer raw materials or wood (it is these components that are responsible for the sufficient rigidity of the structure);

• a protective layer of polyethylene, which does not allow moisture and wind to pass from the outside of the building;
• finishing layer (materials such as siding, tongue-and-groove coatings or plaster mixes are most often used as the finishing layer).

Experts say that if there is a high-lying groundwater in the territory, it will not work to build a basement. In such conditions, it does not matter at all what type of foundation you chose and how high-quality waterproofing was provided to it - with any decision, there will be water in the basement on such a site.

It is recommended to build dwellings on a floating and bulk site, at the base of which there is a monolithic foundation slab. Such a component is indispensable in such conditions, since it provides the building with the required level of rigidity.

The weight of the "frame" structure mainly falls on the supporting parts, lintels, posts and rafters. All other components can provide only a minor load, which mainly depends on the specific project of the house. All this affects the selection of the foundation, as well as the location of its key nodes. It is also very important to take into account the data on the distribution of the weight of the components of the frame structure when preparing pile or columnar foundations.

To choose the appropriate type of foundation for a frame house, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics and features of all possible options for these foundations.

This type of foundation is most often chosen when building houses with a small number of floors. The popularity of such bases is due to their affordable cost and rather simple construction. Often, strip foundations are strengthened with piles. Such structures are also called pile-tape.

The strip foundation is divided into 2 types:

• The shallow structure has a shallow depth - no more than 70 cm. This foundation is located above the level of soil freezing. The base is formed during the construction of one-story buildings on the ground, which is prone to frost heaving.

• There is also a recessed strip foundation. Such a structure is addressed if there is a basement in the frame dwelling. The depth of this foundation can reach 1.2 m.

As a rule, a tape type of foundation is designed if the house is planned to be equipped with a basement or a heated underground. A shallow base is perfect for non-porous soil. However, with a deep level of freezing, it will be necessary either to dig a trench of great depth, or to strengthen the foundation with pile structures installed below the freezing level.

The strong base on screw piles is ideal for framing structures. It is built on loose and unstable soils, as well as in areas characterized by difficult terrain and the nearest location of groundwater.

The main advantages of pile foundations are:

• the ability to carry out installation work without the involvement of special equipment;
• quick installation, which can take just one day;
• excellent load-bearing properties;

• resistance to soil freezing and groundwater impact;
• a wide selection of dimensions and types, which makes it possible to choose the best option for different conditions;
• affordable price;
• the possibility of construction in any season.

However, the pile-screw foundation has one serious drawback - basements cannot be built with such a foundation. This type of foundation is designed only for the construction of lightweight structures or compact extensions.

This type of foundation is made of concrete pillars, set apart from each other. These elements are placed around the perimeter of the house, as well as at the intersection of walls located in the interior of the building. The bottom of the pillars is the base, and the top is the head. Consider one nuance: the heads should be in a clear horizontal position, since it is on them that the frame of the dwelling will subsequently be placed. The height of these parts is usually equal to the height of the floor of the 1st floor (about 50-60 cm from the ground level).

Half of the supports that are located underground are generally rounded in cross-section. The half that is above the ground is usually square or rectangular. For such a foundation, a well must be prepared. A simple garden drill can be used for this. The frame structure for such erections is recommended to be made from edged boards.

The pile area is usually small. For this reason, such a foundation should be built on reliable foundations - solid layers of soil that are lower than the freezing level. Typically, the drilling depth for such structures is approximately 2 m.

The ground half of such bases is made from materials such as reinforced concrete, brick or wood. The last option is the most short-lived. Wooden poles do not last long, even if they are pre-treated with expensive protective impregnations. As for brick pillars, their construction can take a lot of time and effort. From this it follows that a concrete columnar foundation is optimal.

Reinforced concrete guarantees a "long life" of the foundation, as well as maximum strength in both compression and tension, which excludes deformation in frosty conditions. It is possible to prepare a solution for the manufacture of such elements with your own hands, but this will require the use of a high-quality concrete mixer.

Foundation structures can have a section in the form of a rectangle or a cylinder., and they can be not only constant, but also variable (that is, broad base). For a variable base with pillars, much more earthwork will have to be carried out, however, due to the expansion of the support area, the bearing capacity of the foundation structure also increases.

The monolithic foundation is strong and reliable. It is a single monolithic reinforced concrete slab.This base is located directly under the entire frame structure. This base is distinguished by its maximum load-bearing properties, especially when compared with other options for foundations. Thanks to these characteristics, a monolithic structure can provide reliable and stable support even for a heavy structure in heaving soil conditions.

The thickness of reinforced concrete slabs starts from 10 cm. It is based on a compacted sand and gravel pad, supplemented with a waterproofing layer. A reinforcing frame is installed on top, consisting of 2 nets, securely connected to each other. Monolithic slabs are smooth and supplemented with stiffeners.

You can use online construction calculators to calculate the materials required for the construction of the foundation.

The volume of the required components can be calculated independently. To determine the required number of pillars for a pile foundation, you need to study the project of the house, if you have one.

If there is no house plan:

• you need to draw the perimeter of the future frame building and highlight the points of the installation of the piles (this must be done in the corners, at the junctions of the wall floors, as well as around the entire perimeter, maintaining a step of 1.5-2 m);
• since frame structures are lightweight, reinforcement of the structure is unlikely to be required, so the usual arrangement will be enough;
• now you need to count the number of marked points.

Before proceeding to the installation of the foundation, you need to carry out preparatory work. The reliability and strength of the construction will depend on this stage.

Stages of work:

• First you need to level the place where the house was built. All roots, trees, grass, sod and stumps should be removed.
• After that, it is necessary to make a contour marking of the construction. At the same time, it is necessary to mark all corners, while maintaining the necessary distance from the houses in the neighborhood.
• To correctly position a house on a site, you need to take into account several important factors, including the estimated height of the building, as well as the location of other buildings.
• After completing the marking, you need to install a pillow of sand or earth.

On this, the preparatory work can be considered completed.

Let us consider in detail the instructions for preparing the foundation for a frame house with our own hands.

To make a pile foundation, it is necessary to carry out the following work:

• It is necessary to deepen the prepared pillars using a special installation. They are driven to a certain mark in designated areas. After that, the remaining finite elements are cut in level. For a frame dwelling, it is permissible to purchase piles with the smallest section.
• Screw metal parts are twisted using a special device.
• If you want to install piles yourself, you first need to drill wells with wide bases. Their depth depends on the characteristics of the soil. You need to get to a hard foundation.

• Further, a waterproofing layer and a frame are laid out in the cavity and concrete is poured. It is recommended to take solutions M300-M400.
• After installing the piles, you need to fix the grillage. Subsequently, the frames of the wall ceilings will rely on it. The grillage can be monolithic or prefabricated.
• The prefabricated element is installed on reinforced concrete piles with a head.
• Monolithic parts are mounted on the construction site: they put the formwork, make a pillow at the bottom of the grillage, waterproof it, fix the frame and tie it to the reinforcement of the pillars. Next, a concrete solution is poured.

After that, we can assume that the foundation is ready.

Now let's look at the step-by-step instructions for installing a foundation from pillars under a house on a frame:

• Mark the plan. The racks should be located in the corners, on the lines of intersection of the floors, as well as along the perimeter with a step of 2-3 m. These marks must be transferred to the site.
• Next, pits are dug for pillars.If the structure is made of asbestos pipes or monolithic elements, then the excavations must be done with a motor pipe (it can be rented).
• Under the stone pillars, holes can be dug with a shovel. In this case, the dimensions of the excavation should be 60x80 cm, and the depth should be 20-30 cm lower than the level of freezing of the earth.
• Waterproof monolithic structures immediately (put roofing material in the holes). For parts made of brick, rubble or stone, waterproofing must be installed on an already finished structure.
• For a concrete structure, a reinforcement frame should be installed.
• Place the formwork above the ground at a certain height (at least 40 cm).

• After the solution is poured.
• Then the grillage is installed according to the same scheme as in the case of the pile base. However, it may not exist. Then a bar is placed on the top of the racks, which will become the support for the frame structure.

In conclusion, you need to equip the wall pickups that occupy the distance between the pillars. In these places, a trench is dug 20-30 cm deep. The base is filled with concrete. When it hardens to the end, you can design a wall. If you neglect this stage, then a lower partition will be needed for insulation, so that the floors in the dwelling are not too cold.

Consider how to prepare an inexpensive strip foundation with your own hands:

• First you need to dig a trench / foundation pit. Whichever you choose, the width of the cut should be 0.5 m larger than the specified perimeter. This is necessary to make the work more convenient.
• The depth of the trench / pit directly depends on the type of soil. As a rule, this figure is 0.8-0.15 m, taking into account the pillow.
• Then you need to mark the perimeter of the foundation wall. It is necessary to correctly measure all the corners, and then make sure that the sides are parallel.
• Next, you should fix the formwork. Its height depends on the dimensions of the base, if any. However, this parameter must be at least 40 cm above ground level.
• The width of the future tape is calculated in the same way as the thickness of the wall (100 mm must be added to this value, and for a frame structure it is possible to make 200-300 mm).
• Now the sand pillow is 10-20 cm thick.
• Next, the frame structure is mounted.
• Then concrete is poured. It is advisable to use the M300 or M400 brands.

As for the construction of a monolithic slab, here you should adhere to the following instructions:

• First, an excavation must be made in the soil to the depth of the fertile layer. The exposed layer needs to be compacted.
• After that, you should proceed to the installation of a sand and gravel cushion. Its thickness should be about 20 cm.
• Now you need to roll out a couple of layers of polymer waterproofing coating.
• Next, a preparatory concrete layer 5 cm thick is poured.

• After that, you need to install a reliable solid frame. To make a mesh, you should take a thick reinforcement with a diameter of 12-16 mm. It must be fixed, adhering to a step of no more than 40 cm in two directions.
• The rods must be tied with wire. Make two planes and connect them to each other at a short distance (about 10-15 cm).
• Now you can proceed to pouring the solution. For such a foundation, you will need a lot of it. In such works, you cannot choose cheap material of average quality. The optimal brands are M-300 and M-400.

When preparing the foundation for a house with a frame, it is necessary to use high quality cement mortar. Its brand must be at least M250. Experts recommend using the M300 and M400 formulations. On gravel, rocky and rocky-sandy soil, you can equip any type of foundation. If you decide to build a columnar foundation, then you should know that the most reliable foundation will be reinforced concrete. Such parts are not subject to deformation and are highly resistant.

If the soil on the site is stable, then you can not spend money and build a shallow foundation. The foundation on piles is often constructed in areas with a steep slope, since it is too difficult, time-consuming and expensive to level them. For the wells to turn out to be correct, the drill must be in a strictly vertical position.

A foundation made of bricks can only be installed on a concrete layer. This applies to both strip and columnar base. If you decide to construct a foundation from screw piles, then you should know that they can be lengthened if necessary. For this purpose, the upper ends of these parts are equipped with grooves and threads.

Screw piles can be installed in the ground not only with the help of special mechanisms, but also manually. Thanks to this feature, such structures are considered very convenient in terms of construction.

The monolithic foundation is rightfully recognized as one of the most reliable and strongest ones. Such a foundation will not be cheap, but it will provide the foundation and frame house with a long and trouble-free service life. An important role in the construction of a frame structure is played by the project of the house. It is better to order it from specialists who will not disregard all the necessary points and nuances.

When building a foundation, always follow the instructions, especially if you do not have the appropriate experience. Do not make mistakes when preparing the foundation for a frame house, as this can lead to negative consequences for the entire building as a whole.

This plot shows in detail how the preparation and installation of a shallow strip foundation for the future frame house is carried out.