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rebar
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 08:14pm - Edited by: rebar
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Hello folks..
 I apologize because I started a similar discussion which quickly went south due to my notifications not being set up.
I don't want a cabin that has free space between it and the earth, because I don't want rodents under me. Rodents tore the heck out of my mobile homes "rodent barrier" and I don't want to deal with that again. And my spot is level with good drainage, so why shouldn't I place my cabin directly on the surface?
To keep the wood cabin "slab" dry, build the cabin well within a large 40x60 "roof only" polebarn perma-column structure.. This would keep the wooden cabin foundation dry with less ground moisture heave in the winter..
In my case, I have a hill top so the base would remain dry and level.. Â My thoughts are to start with a sturdy moisture barrier, then two 3/4" layers of AdvanTech resin flooring staggered screwed and glued together to make a 16x20 rodent barrier. Â Then laminate perimeter "beams" made from four treated 2x12's glued/screwed vertically all four sides. Â Then span 2x12's every 12" between to support another layer of AdvanTech sheathing after you've insulated with rockwool.. No foam.
 This foundation would simply rest on the surface like a skid shed or a wooden slab, but would distribute its weight so well, it might not ever settle or rot if kept dry..  It would also have a thick rodent barrier and have a R30 rating without having to crawl under it, and only one step up to enter. Â
Anyway.. Is this attempt at keeping taxes low and critters out from under me a idea worth considering? Or how else could I build which would give me a great rodent barrier, R30 and never need to be crawled under ever again?
Thanks
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LittleDummerBoy
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 09:52pm
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Normally, the weight of a structure rests on a narrow perimeter.
Your design, as I picture it, has no particularly strong areas that either carry the weight on the walls to the earth, or spread it evenly across the surface.
I predict the walls will sink as the organic content in the soil decays.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 10:37pm
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My short response is, if you want to build on grade like that, pour a concrete slab. That has been proven to last.
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snobdds
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2020 12:25pm
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Yep, just build a slab on grade and go from there.
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rebar
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2020 06:45pm - Edited by: rebar
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Quoting: LittleDummerBoy Normally, the weight of a structure rests on a narrow perimeter. Your design, as I picture it, has no particularly strong areas that either carry the weight on the walls to the earth, or spread it evenly across the surface. I predict the walls will sink as the organic content in the soil decays.
Thanks. The entire perimeter of the wooden foundation is a laminated 6x12 beam and that should carry and distribute the weight.. But I see what your saying drummerboy.. If the gravel under the cabin is level, the walls will settle faster than the middle floor area, and push the floor up when the walls settle..
What I'm trying to do, is build without concrete and foam. If I pour a slab, I might as well pour stem walls, but then here comes the tax man..
Maybe if I build the laminated perimeter beams from four 2x14's, with 10" floor joists giving me 4" of space.
I really don't think there will be much settling with the weight spread along the entire perimeter 6" wide beam instead of small spots like a normal cabin supports. With no water reaching the gravel because the roof eave is 12' away, settling and heave would be reduced.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2020 07:24am - Edited by: Brettny
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Rodents get in buildings because of holes. Close all holes and tjdy have no acess. In addition you can bait them outside of the building and lower the population even further.
No need to reinvent the wheel here.
Also the rodents will still get under the first layer of plywood your putting down.
I prefer to build about 2ft high, use flashing on vertical posts and cover the underside of the floor joists with thin plywood.
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LittleDummerBoy
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2020 01:28pm
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Would a layer of1/2" crushed stone with a 3" layer of stone dust be a taxable foundation?
If well compacted, it's a lot like concrete.
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