It’s pretty much a do-it-yourself system.Īll I had to do was put deck block piers on top of the soil, put support boards and then attach the final deck boards. This kind doesn’t require concrete or digging holes. I built a deck in my backyard recently with a floating foundation deck system. What type of foundation is needed to ensure the winter/summer ground movement does not pull the new addition away from the existing unit? The mobile home sits east to west, and the new addition will be positioned north to south from the back door opening. Our mobile home is already sitting on a slab foundation and we want to add another 24x20 addition to the unit going in the opposite direction. In the future, as more and more flooding occurs, these houses will become more highly in demand around the world, especially when sea levels rise. They use giant slabs of foam in the foundation for extra buoyancy and insulation, and as an extra safety measure if a leak in your foundation occurs. In Texas in dangerous flood areas, the government is considering cancelling flood insurance, especially in Houston. While everyone is underwater your high and dry. And not to mention a cold floor in the winter months.
The biggest drawback is external water and sewer installations. Securing the floating house on giant pylons is necessary for keeping the house in one spot.
When flooding occurs your house will be underwater. Some places in the country sit 7 meters or 21 feet below sea level. The average house stands already 6-7 feet below sea level. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get the latest TimberTips videos.Here in Holland they are becoming increasingly popular. TuffBlock footings are available at any TimberTown location, we also have more info and installation guides in our resources section. This hybrid method works great in high wind load areas or in areas with potential shifting soil.
#Floating foundation decks install#
Austin Deck Company built the poolside deck and boardwalk and TuffBlocks were an excellent choice for a quick install without disturbing the root system of the large heritage trees on the property.Īnother reason I like TuffBlock is the system can be used in conjunction with traditional concrete footers as an intermediate support, which can save some install time. TuffBlock footings were recently used at a boutique hotel in downtown Austin called The Carpenter Hotel. They also work great on residential low-profile or raised decks, even when there is a slope.
Since TuffBlock is a floating foundation system, it can easily be used over concrete or asphalt for temporary structures. TuffBlock footings only weigh 1.5 lbs but can support 1,700 lbs! According to TuffBlock's documentation, it's been tested to over 11,000 lbs without collapsing. One of those products is called TuffBlock: an instant foundation system made of recycled polymers. Now, there are new products hitting the market that are making deck installs quicker and easier. Another method for low profile decks is concrete blocks that can be placed directly on the ground. When building a deck, traditionally the builder will dig footings and pour concrete for the foundation. Could a piece of plastic replace traditional concrete footings?