You only have one chance to get your foundation right
The High Performance Foundation
While you don’t necessarily see the foundation of your home on a daily basis, it’s arguably one of the most important aspects of construction to get right the first time around. It’s not glamorous, but when done correctly, a high performance foundation will keep your home comfortable, healthy, durable and in the long run more sustainable than a traditional foundation.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of foundation cracks, cold and leaky basements, and sinking houses… how do you avoid these terrors?
Build a home with a high performance foundation
In keeping with Passive House standards, a high-performance foundation in a humid climate like the Midwest must take into consideration four crucial control layers: water, air, thermal, and vapor.
Thermal Control Layer
- R-20+ sub slab insulation to eliminate thermal transmission from the ground and maintain a comfortable temperature in the basement
- R-20 insulation on the inside of the foundation wall isolating the wall from touching any other layers of concrete
Bulk Water Control Layer
- Waterproofing on foundation walls and footings to stop moisture seeping in
- A capillary break that prevents moisture wicking up from the foundation footings
- A dimple board that allows water to drain and reduces pressure on foundation walls
- Interior and exterior drain tile to take water out and away from the home
Vapor Control Layer
- A vapor barrier that creates a tight seal, preventing excess air movement and moisture buildup
- Vapor layer is taped with Compego tape to seal it to the foundation wall and taped at all the seams and plumbing penetrations
Air Control Layer
- 15 mm plastic sheet lines the insulation above compacted gravel and is taped to the interior side of the foundation wall to create a continuous air control layer
All of these details come together to create a foundation system that will stand the elements over time. Maintaining the same attention to detail through the mudsill ensures that the control layers are continuous up into the wall system.
Take a look at how we've tackled important, but often overlooked, foundation details on recent projects:
