PWF- attaching to ground

wwsteel7

Hi everybody,

I've been doing some research on building a permanent wood foundation, PWF, and cannot seem to find an answer to the question: How is the foundation affixed to the ground?

Assuming the foundation is built upon only a gravel pad, no concrete anywhere, I found many examples and illustrations regarding the construction details of the PWF kneewall-upon which the raised floor is built-, but nowhere can I find how the PWF kneewall is attached to the ground.

Does the kneewall just sit there with no bond to the gravel pad? Is the bottom plate somehow bolted to ground with rebar?

Anyone have any experience with PWF kneewalls?

joecaption

And why would this be a good idea.
Wood rot, termites, all things to look foward to.
Why not a poured, slab or block foundation?

wwsteel7

Because a DIYér like myself can do it alone, and installed correctly with vapour barrier and ventilation, can last decades.

And it is econmical and cheap, and quick.

Joe Carola

Cheap...quick.......DIY'er ...and only last decades...what good is that if a wood foundation only last decades????

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Joe Carola

wwsteel7

Hey man, I work in new home construction, steel stud framing, and see on a daily basis poured concrete foundations with HALF INCH CRACKS in them within weeks of them being completed.

Concrete is NOT the end all be all for foundations, especially for a simple 1-story project in the middle of nowhere such as my cabin I am building.

Btw, PWF do last for decades if done correctly. That is sure good enough for me and my life.

Joe Carola

Again....decades mean nothing....knock youself out....if you don't care about the wood foundation only last a couple of decades.....compared to block or poured foundation...

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Joe Carola

jomama45

From what I've seen, it's not affixed to the ground at all. Not really any different than most older block, poured, or even newer "Superior Wall" foundations though. Most of them merely sit on a footing as well (gravel with the "Superior" system) with no vertical attachment to the footing, at least until recently. I would tend to believe that the friction created by the lateral soil load would be more than enough to keep it in the ground though.