Building Series: Preserved Wood Foundations
Let’s stop the stigma around Preserved Wood Foundations. In this episode, Natalie is joined by Verlin Koch, a structural engineer for 45 years who specializes in preserved wood basements. A popular foundation technique in Calgary, you have nothing to fear when you see one in a house.
So, what are Preserved Wood Foundations? They’re built of engineered wood that has been specially treated in a way that prohibits breakdown and insect burring, then frames the basement out of that material using special details, such as galvanized nailing. They grew popular starting in the 1960s in Calgary. When the wood basements were catching on in the mid to late 70s–90s, there were a lot of wood basements being built.
There’s a stigma around it… Should people be freaking out when they see one, instead of the typical concrete foundation? No! Wood basements are significantly warmer. Over time concrete degrades as well, and given proper maintenance, PDF & concrete basements have the same lifespan. All wood basements must also have an engineer design & inspector; thus, quality is always checked. Concrete foundations aren’t engineered or checked the same way. !
“It is absolutely imperative to have a specialized structural engineer come out and inspect your PWF basement because a home inspector is not experienced enough to give you an opinion on this certified engineered build. You need a structural engineer for those kinds of situations.”
It has the same life span as concrete and there are no negatives. It’s nothing to be afraid of. If you become more educated about this, it will also level you up in your own real estate experience!
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