Why have a wood basement?

Wood foundations originated in 1938, following the development of preservative-treated lumber and plywood designed to resist decay from moisture and infestation from insects. To date, over 300,000 homes in the U.S. have been constructed with wood foundation systems.

Some people mistakenly believe that wood foundations are only for sheds and other small structures. The reality: Wood provides the foundation for many of the largest and most beautiful new homes being built today. Wood offers several key advantages:

Adaptable design. A wood foundation can be used for a crawl space, a split-entry basement, or a full basement. Remodelors have also found wood foundations ideal for room additions. This is particularly important when site access is limited.

Easy scheduling. A wood foundation can be installed by the same carpentry crew that builds the house’s frame. And it can be installed in practically any weather condition, even under freezing temperatures. This can eliminate the delays and high costs of using concrete and masonry, especially on remote sites.

Easy finishing. With a wood foundation, nailable studs are already in place. This simplifies wiring, plumbing, and installation of interior walls. Finishing is easy enough that many homeowners choose to do it themselves. This helps save money and lets homeowners build to their own tastes and vision.

More living space. A wood foundation wall can be less thick than comparable concrete or masonry walls. Insulation takes less space too; it can fit into the wood wall’s cavities without extra furring strips or wall studs.

Improved sales appeal. Real wood lends comfort and warmth to basement living areas. It can eliminate the musty, clammy feeling of traditional basements. Also, wood-framed walls allow use of thick batt-type insulation, which reduces heat loss through the foundation wall and saves on energy bills. The result: The new home is more desirable when the homeowner decides to sell.