Monolithic Slab vs. Traditional Foundations

In the world of new-home construction, there are generally two ways that builders can choose to pour the concrete foundation of a home. The traditional method, used by most builders, consists of three separate steps; footings, foundation walls, and a slab. The footings are the wide pieces of concrete that are placed deep into the ground to prevent movement. The foundation walls are then placed on top of the footings, and resting in between the two is the concrete slab which makes up the basement floor. Though this is the method most commonly used to pour foundation, it can delay the construction process, as each of the three sections must be poured and cured before the next step can ensue. Each section can take up to a week to cure, adding to the overall construction timeline.

The quicker, more efficient way to pour a concrete foundation utilizes what is known as a monolithic slab. Instead of three separate sections to pour, the foundation walls and slab are combined and poured at one time, and the footings do not need to be dug as deep as with the traditional method. The slab generally rests on a bed of gravel for drainage and is reinforced with a fiber mesh throughout, to strengthen the foundation and protect from other elements. This ensures both time-efficiency and quality in each foundation.

At Rosewood Communities, all of our homes are built using a monolithic slab foundation. We are committed to ensuring that each home is built to the highest standard of quality, starting with the foundation. Be sure to check out our multiple communities in progress in Upstate South Carolina, and fill out a contact form to begin the exciting home-building process!