Permanent Wood Foundations: Nothing Complicated; Nothing Complex

Case study follows the construction sequence of building a home on a Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF) system. Site preparation, drainage, basement walls and wood floor construction steps are presented. Materials used, advantages and features of the PWF system are explained.

[@armanflint]

Serious custom Elvis style sterling bling going on at 2:58

[@corystadman9089]

Is there a health risk with the Treated materials being used in living spaces?

[@anasraddii2767]

At long last, this is what can help me finish up one of Woody Hyezmar’s projects. Found him online and as it happens, he’s giving away his plans for free!

[@pcno2832]

From what I've read, if done right and under the right conditions, this system can be built to last. I've heard that they even build houses this way and cover them with thin stone, so you'd never know how they were built from the outside. But I'd have reservations about it today, since some of the hazardous chemicals that were used in pressure treated wood back when this video was made have been removed. Would today's pressure treated lumber resist rot and termites as well as what they are describing here? Would you want to find out?

[@dennybro1]

Is it a good idea to put a wood foundation on a concrete footing. Does it matter?

[@CeeKayz0rz]

Remember: Insurance companies often charge extra for wood foundation homes, and resale on wood foundation homes is usually tough at best. It may be cheap and quick now, but it may be exceedingly costly later... >Do you want it done quick, or do you want it done right?

[@rubbersole79]

Any facts to back that up?

[@CeeKayz0rz]

@@rubbersole79 Google it.

[@armanflint]

@@rubbersole79 CK's channel said, "No, accept my surrender!"

[@dontfit6380]

I built mine 22 years ago. It was no cheaper then concrete but is a world of different then concrete. Warmer, dryer and was so much easier to install and work with. It has made no difference in the value of my home. Mine appraises the same as the equivalent with a concrete foundation. There is also absolutely no difference in what I pay for home insurance. You can google anything you want and get any answer you want. I’m telling you the facts at least where I’m at. Now there are states such as communist California that it could be different.

[@annehause7118]

@@dontfit6380 we also have a wood foundation. No issues with ANY of the above mentioned things. I have a question for you though. Did you finish your basement? And if so, did you put a vapor barrier on the walls before putting up sheetrock??

[@vikassharma-lq4bi]

where can i find permanent wood foundation contractors near bushkill pa?

[@nezerac]

I was thinking about doing this in culmination with earthbagging. wanna avoid wood as much as possible for the first floor. And then move to mostly wood on the second floor.

[@valkukec916]

How does this foundation system protect against uplifting in case of a tornado since their are no anchor bolts used?

[@CmdrGendoIkari]

A different kind of anchoring could be added at the base of the walls on the outside perimeter, projecting away from the walls that then gets back fill earth on top of it. To pull up the structure, it would have to pull the fan like anchors through the feet of dirt on top of them as well. Another way would be to construct the basement walls with a slight inward tilt to help wedge it in the ground more when back filled. Maybe still not quite as good as the weight of concrete, but those methods would help some with your concern. I feel a rebar reinforced foundation resists potential ground deformation better over time than this would. Might be okay for large flat areas, but I wouldn't do it on terrain with any slope. This video seems old. I wonder if anyone still builds like this. lol

[@pcno2832]

They could add those helical posts that are sometimes used to reinforce sagging foundations or to support a new foundation; tie-downs could probably be attached to them.

[@neithrantulre9297]

Would it be possible to sink large posts vertically deep into the ground, and somehow build off of that?

[@jimmyschmidt14]

That's called piles and they used to be used for houses around 1900.

[@chrissnyder8108]

still are if soils are expansive and poor for bearing on soils.

[@Mary-yh2qj]

If later down the road, you did get water damage, can you change a wood foundation into a concrete foundation?

[@weili42]

Not worth the cost better off infill

[@dontfit6380]

You have a better chance of getting a wet basement with concrete then with wood

[@karlloper3838]

How deep do you need gravel under foundation walls?

[@NorthernWindNut]

2015 IRC is available online and provides dimensions like this.

[@shawncockrell6007]

It is still allowed in the code book and some of these are 40+ years old now with no problems...…..

[@erikdale9145]

Meh, no problems lol you obviously don't own one

[@77quagmire]

Wow! Why aren't we building all our houses like this!? Oh ya, because fast and cheap isn't always the best option.

[@dontfit6380]

It’s no faster and no cheaper

[@rubbersole79]

Just can't get used to the idea of no concrete footings......

[@annehause7118]

We have concrete footings and a concrete floor. We have a split level home

[@sinnombre5466]

So , it’s kinda like helical piers … but in a impractical and dumb kinda way that doesn’t work

[@Beandiptheredneck]

Please tell me this isn’t still allowed by any modern code! Why not go with concrete. Pressure treated wood still rots

[@michellepatrick7704]

It is definitely allowed. Nothing wrong with it at all. There has been multiple studies on this type of foundation. Predominately in cold climates: Madison, WI Minneapolis, MN and University of North Dakota. Structural engineers have recommended this type of build for cold climates because of how to control condensation that occurs with concrete vs. wood. There are different styles of wood foundation elsewhere, such as in Dallas TX--they build it different. Why not used? it is MUCH warmer than concrete foundation.

[@NorthernWindNut]

It was still in the 2015 IRC (R402.1). Couldn't say about 2018 but I don't know why it wouldn't be.

[@shanevmax34]

I worked for a contractor 20 years ago that sold this garbage. Still not convinced. I can understand the concept, but the walls should be on a concrete footing. We fought those buildings to the peak as they settled

[@stevegillett9533]

Garbage is exactly what you built. That's not how everyone else works

[@mkmr888]

Main point: fast and cheap

[@candygranger314]

Them legs though..

[@jagboy69]

That's NOT what you were looking at! :-P

[@mariagillinson8527]

Ask you dad but I think you need to start with the floors just because they’re so precarious.

[@mr.taxpayer5289]

I cannot believe that ANY modern building code would allow a pressure treated wood foundation. Fast and cheap.......this wood foundation will rot in 10 years. A modern home has concrete footings with poured walls or cinder block for a foundation. The only type of below grade wood foundation allowed is for a pole barn, and even then the posts will eventually rot.

[@swa401]

Mr. taxpayer just see a home with wood foundation it is 31 years old had Structure engineer check it and it’s in good shape...

[@davidstein1445]

I'm living in a home built in 95 with a wood foundation and it's holding up fantastic. The key is drainage.

[@jburch8583]

Possibly that's to say POSSIBLY this could've been done reliably before the epa destroyed the longevity of treated lumber by banning the treatments that, you know, work.

[@dontfit6380]

Going on 22 year now. When I first looked into it. I toured a home that was going on 80 years old with a wood foundation. The basement was warmer and dryer then any concrete foundation with no cracks or collapsing walls.

[@Ilove3SGTE]

There is a house at Forest Products Laboratory in Wisconsin that was built in the 80s and is doing just fine. It has sensers in the wall to monitor moisture. It looks like it was built yesterday. It in fact looks much better there most concrete basements built around that time. If you plan on ever finishing the basement this it a good idea. With more modern water proofing products and drainage layers it could last 100 years if done right.

[@brianhodgson2078]

This video is so friggin old! These practices are not allowed in any Canadian province. Pull this video.

[@lisajenkins9050]

These foundations are currently allowed according to the National Building code in Canada. These are great solutions for many situations. Hard to reach areas or on Islands. I have built a few of these and one that is 30 years old. No problems whatsoever. Like anything , do it right and it will last. I am currently working on one. Never had an issue. Long lasting, reasonable cost, SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT than any other material and a sustainable product. Somebody is out of touch.

[@carter102]

You're of the ban clan type eh? Ban based on my non-facts. Preserved wood foundations are very allowed in the NBC and OBC to this day. As an inspector of 15 years I've seen a few of these foundation and they were 40+ years old and looked brand new, worked great.

[@jburch8583]

@@carter102 yes and all dangerous activities must be outlawed post haste.