Essential Materials for Building a Strong Foundation

It’s almost a truism to say that any worthwhile structure will need to rest on solid foundations. You’ll find this used as an analogy just about everywhere – from speeches made by modern politicians and business leaders to ancient religious texts.

But in the world of construction, we need to think about foundations in a much more literal sense. What materials are appropriate, and how should they be used? Which makes the best match for your budget? Let’s take a look at a few of the more popular options.

Concrete – The Backbone of Your Foundation

For many builders, concrete is a default choice for a foundation. It’s cheap, easy to work with, and hugely strong. You might expect it to last for an extremely long time before it needs to be maintained.

On the other hand, concrete does tend to be vulnerable to water damage. In a foundation, this can lead to cracking and other problems. Thus, proper sealing is essential. You might consider your use of waterproof membranes – which we’ll address later on.

Builder’s Sand – The Essential Filler Material

Despite any parables you might be familiar with, sand can actually form an essential part of a strong foundation. It can form a part of mortar, and help to fill in the gaps between the other elements of your foundation. It can also settle evenly, which makes it great for achieving a level surface. Builder’s sand is inexpensive and widely available, and it’s often a must when you’re planning a foundation.

Gravel – Ensuring Proper Drainage and Stability

You can think of gravel as like sand – except the individual particles are big enough for water to slip through them easily. Gravel is therefore essential when it comes to drainage. Install it in areas where water is likely to settle.

Steel Reinforcement – Adding Durability and Flexibility

Solid steel can add much-needed flexibility and structure to any foundation. It will last for as long as your foundation does, and it plays a critical role in rebar and mesh concrete. Rebar is a kind of high-tensile bar that’s perfect for heavy-duty structures that are expected to deal with lots of punishment. Mesh is a welded wire sheet that spreads the load more evenly, making it fantastic for driveways and paths.

Waterproofing Membranes – Protecting Your Foundation from Moisture

We’ve already mentioned how certain materials, like concrete, might be more vulnerable to water damage. Through the use of waterproof membranes, you can protect these elements, channelling water away from the foundations and thereby protecting the structure as a whole. The right membranes can complement the other drainage features of the building, like guttering, and ensure that your foundation lasts for many years to come.