CONCRETE CONTRACTOR RICHMOND, VA | RICHMOND CONCRETE COMPANY

What is a concrete footing?

Concrete footings are part of a home or building’s foundation. The footing is the part of the foundation that is in contact with the earth and goes deeper than the foundation itself. The purpose of a concrete footing is to support the building and prevent that building from settling. 

Settling is what causes cracks in the foundation and leads to expensive repairs, so it’s important that your concrete footing is well built and able to handle anything. To fortify concrete footings and make them stronger, metal rebar is often placed within the poured concrete. 

What is a concrete foundation?

A concrete foundation is found beneath a home or building and is what transfers the weight of the building into the ground. Concrete foundations are essential to any building. All buildings must have some kind of foundation, but not all foundations include concrete footings. Metal rebar is also used to strengthen concrete foundations.

Different kinds of concrete foundations:

There are several different kinds of concrete foundations, including monolithic slab foundations, T-shaped foundations, and slab-on-grade foundations. Each of these foundations has different pros and cons and each works best in a specific environment and climate. 

Monolithic slab

A monolithic slab foundation is a foundation that is poured all at one time. This single layer of concrete forms both the slab and the footing, which is what makes monolithic slab foundations different from other types of foundations. 

Monolithic slabs are typically 12 to 18 inches thick at the footing and 4 to 6 inches thick at the slab, but these measurements can change depending on the building type and other conditions. 

Monolithic slab foundations are ideal for homes or buildings without basements that are located in a mild climate where the ground doesn’t freeze and it doesn’t get extremely hot. Monolithic slabs are ideal in many parts of the Richmond, Virginia area. 

T-shaped

A T-shaped foundation is the traditional kind of foundation found all around the United States. A T-shaped foundation includes both a foundation wall and a footing. The wall and the footing intersect in a T shape, which is where this foundation gets its name. Because the footing is wider than the foundation wall, there is extra support. 

T-shaped foundations are ideal in colder climates where the ground freezes. Both the footings and foundation walls may be reinforced with rebar to ensure that the foundation is strong.  

Slab-on-grade

A slab-on-grade foundation is a single layer of concrete that is several inches thick. This slab is thicker around the edges, which forms a type of concrete footing. Slab-on-grade or often reinforced with a wire mesh and steel rods that run throughout the entire thing. 

Slab-on-grade foundations are ideal in areas where the ground doesn’t freeze. Slab-on-grade is also a type of monolithic foundation because it is all poured at once. 

Who can install your concrete footing or foundation?

No matter what kind of foundation you need, Oros Concrete can help. We’ve been installing foundations for years and would love the chance to work on your home. Contact Oros Concrete today for a free estimate or to schedule an appointment. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to learn more about concrete footings or concrete foundations.