Replies

1. 
   budreaux | Feb 05, 2005 03:13am | #1

   I don't know if this helps but Morton buildings still builds Homes and other buildings  using pole construction.

   http://www.mortonbuildings.com/MortonBuildings.htm

1. 
   TerryNewkirk | Feb 05, 2005 03:52am | #2

   Thank you, I will check that out.

    

   Terry

2. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 05, 2005 05:43am | #3

   It's hard to say without knowing what exactly you're trying to achieve. What is it about a pole foundation that makes it particularly well suited to your site? Your location also might make a differece. (Click on your name in the To: line and you can add that to your profile.)

   People build pressure treated wood foundations that are supposed to last indefinitely if properly engineered, installed, and maintained, which mostly consists of keeping them dry. The same is probably true of pressure treated posts. The problem with posts set in concrete is that if it's not designed and installed correctly, the concrete can trap water an hold it next to the post, which accelerates decay, even in pressure treated wood.

   You might also consider posts or piers of materials other than wood. Reinforced concrete and structural steel come to mind. Both are likely to be more expensive than wood, but could also last a lot longer.

1. 
   TerryNewkirk | Feb 07, 2005 07:19pm | #6

   Thanks, Unle Dunc, basically, I guess I am trying to save the expense of a standard foundation, plus our ranch lends itself to not having the land so torn up as would, I guess, be done with standard trenching, etc.  We also like the looks of pole construction.

    

   I like your thought of exploring other avenues and will do that.

    

   Thanks for your help and thoughts, much appreciated.

    

   Terry

1. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 08, 2005 05:45am | #9

   There are lots of different reasons for using poles, and that's why I asked why you thought your site was especially well suited. Are you thinking of a house that's significantly elevated on poles, or are you just thinking of a normal house built on piers instead of a slab or crawl space or basement? Does the ground freeze in the winter where you are? How deep? What's the soil like where you want to build? Is there much ground water? Surface water? Is the site flat, sloped, vertical? How far from the road? How far from the neighbors? Is there vegetation you want to save? Etc.There have been half a dozen or so pole foundation articles in Fine Homebuilding magazine. Some were on seashore houses, elevated to get the living area above the high water line. One was on a very steep site in California where a conventional foundation built to seismic standards would have been fabulously expensive, if it was even possible. One was on a forested site where the owners didn't want to clear as much road as would have been required to bring in excavating equipment. There was a related article where the house wasn't elevated on poles but was built on a conventional foundation that rested on driven piles, because the solid ground was under 20 feet of unconcolidated fill. And probably some others I don't remember.You can go to this page and search for piers, poles, pilings, etc.http://www.taunton.com/cgi-bin/artresult-fh.cgiSome of the magazines are still available from Taunton Press, here.http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/backissue_fh.aspOut of print issues are available on eBay, or possibly through interlibrary loan.You should also post your question at Breaktime, with as much information as you can. This forum is really about architecture and interior design. Breaktime is where the people who actually build houses gather.http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E

1. 
   TerryNewkirk | Feb 08, 2005 07:58pm | #10

   Uncle Dunc, thanks again for your time and expertise.  I'm leaning toward pole structure for reasos of cost, my skills limitation and plus we just like the design.

    

   I'm leaning more toward pier supports and beams with platform framing, again to coincide with my skill level.

    

   I'm in Northern California, very little if any ground freeze and if it occurs, would be minimal.  The soil is lots of hardpan and rocks.  We are on a ranch, well removed from neighbors, about one mile off of county roards. Neighbors are few and far away.

    

   Maybe some ground water during rainy season, but pretty well drained on the building site.  There is a minimal slope. Vegetation is not an issue.

    

   I will, as you suggest, post on the Breaktime forum.  This was my first venture here and I am not yet familiar with the structure and protocol.

    

   Thanks very much for your assistance.

    

   Terry

3. 
   spinnm | Feb 05, 2005 07:01pm | #4

   You might check here.  http://www.countryplans.com

   They have a post/pier foundation in all their plans.  Have a tutorial about it on the web site.  Have different configurations depending up climate.

   ShelleyinNM

1. 
   TerryNewkirk | Feb 07, 2005 07:20pm | #7

   Thank you, I'll look into that.

4. 
   Blacky | Feb 05, 2005 10:04pm | #5

   Hi Terry

   Look at socket systems its on the web.  They make a steel base that anchorsinto your concrete and leaves a airspace between your column and your concrete.  Ive used them a few times and they are very slick.

   Good Luck

   Dan

1. 
   TerryNewkirk | Feb 07, 2005 07:21pm | #8

   Thank you, Dan, that opens another possibilioty for me. I'll look into that.

    

   Terry