There’s a lot to consider when you build a house and pros and cons for what type of foundations or subfloor will work best for your type of situation.
You’ll need to consider:
- The topography of the site
- The soil type
- The style of the home
- The costs
House foundations aren’t the most exciting part of the home building process, but as it’s what your new home will sit on, it’s worth putting a bit of thought into it!
The foundation needs to be done properly, so you have a good, solid base from which the rest of the house will grow. Any imperfections in the subfloor will have knock-on effects on the rest of the build, so this step is worth doing right.
You can build on stumps or a concrete slab, and both have points in their favour, but the advantages of concrete slabs Western Suburbs Melbourne are pretty significant in the right dwelling. They may be unexciting and fairly humble, but the concrete slab is pretty affordable for most homeowners.
Concrete slabs are used in 90% of Australian Homes and are one of the most durable materials on the market. They provide your home with many lifestyle and thermal advantages!
Each home is different, and every site differs in some way from the next so you’ll need a company that knows its stuff to get a durable, cost-effective concrete slabs Western Suburbs Melbourne laid that will not crack or chip.
Overall, concrete slabs are the best foundation due to their reduced labour and cost, reliability, ease of construction and fast turnaround times. Stumps are recommended in certain situations, but the advantages of the slab are far greater for most home builders.
If you aren’t sure what you need, that’s where we come in. Read on to find out why we think concrete slabs Western Suburbs Melbourne is the best foundation to build on.
Benefits of using concrete slabs Western Suburbs Melbourne for foundations
Price
With labour costs for stump and joist floors being quite high, you’ll find that concrete floors are quite cost-effective in the end.
Stump foundations might also need extra cladding depending on the height and insulation on the floors if it’s cold where you are building.
Insulation
Concrete is a natural insulator that will absorb the sun’s heat during the day and release it during the night, giving your home a higher energy rating.
When concrete slabs are used with other passive design principles, the energy costs of the house can be greatly reduced, giving you more temperature comfort at a much lower cost.
Being in contact with the ground below, concrete slabs maintain stable temperatures, which helps with cooling and heating costs as there are no wild fluctuations in temperature.
Speed of installation
Concrete is pretty easy and reasonably fast to install. Concrete slabs need a bit of preparation work, but once that’s done, the overall construction time is reduced when compared to stump foundation heavy input of labour.
Acoustics
Concrete also absorbs sounds, making them quieter to live in. Concrete slabs reduce the transfer of all kinds of noises from room to room and even ceiling to floor if you have a second story.
Other design considerations for noise reduction could be to use sloping roofs, suspended cupboards and large fabric wall hanging to absorb and dissipate sound as well.
Longevity
If done correctly, a concrete slab should last longer than the house built on top of it. A concrete slab is considered more solid than a stump and joist and is less susceptible to movement in the structure above.
Reliable and durable
Concrete slabs require less maintenance than timber stumps and can handle the movement of the building above them without compromising the structural integrity of the foundation.
Great for the elderly
Generally, a concrete slab is cast on the ground, and there are little or no steps into the home. This is great for the frail; and elderly, as they have fewer hazards in their worlds to trip and fall on.
Concrete slab foundations are great for anybody who needs to avoid steps.
Pest and moisture barrier
Concrete slabs create a natural moisture barrier and are a great protective barrier against termites too!
Easy to heat
Heating systems are easy to put into concrete floors, helping reduce energy costs and keeping your home toasty in Melbourne’s cold winters! The thermal mass lends itself well to areas that are permanently occupied and ends up being a very efficient way to heat a home.
Attractive flooring option
If you have a more modern home and like the look of polished concrete, then getting a concrete slab as the foundation of your home will be perfect for you! You’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Turning the slab into a beautiful polished concrete floor is both easy and the finished look is very attractive and on-trend at the moment!
Contact us today for quality concrete slabs
We are happy to come out to your site and discuss what you need and measure and then get back to you with a quote for a high-quality concrete slab that is durable, hassle-free and will last practically forever! We are experts in slab construction for Melbourne homes. We build to Australian Regulations and codes and meet all relevant Australian Standards.
Whether you are building your dream home or an investment property, your journey will start with the best foundations you can afford.
Getting the perfect base for your new construction will help make the rest of the build go smoother and easier.
We provide a complete range of concrete slab solutions for your new home. All our concrete slabs are strong, secure and reinforced and are experts in concrete hose slabs. Give us a call anytime to discuss what you need.
We are a family-owned business with many years of experience as well as a reputation for high-quality workmanship and professional, reliable service.