wood versus concrete foundation/basement

[yipyipyoho]

Does anyone have any experience with wood versus concrete foundation or basements? Specifically permanent wood foundations versus Superior Walls basements. I would like to hear any and all experiences or thoughts on the two. Specific concerns relating to mold/mildew, drainage systems, vermin control for the longrun, etc. Please dual post responses here and directly to my email [e-mail]. Thanks in advance.

[SteveF]

"Permanent wood foundation". Is that like "congressional ethics" or "military intelligence"?

Personally, having developed a hatred for fixing rotted wood, I don't use wood for any exterior use if there is any other choice. Plus two years ago the chemical used in pressure treating was changed from CCA to ACQ which is already being found to be very corrosive to steel fasteners. It would kinda' suck to build a house on it and find out it also doesn't hold up well in the long term.

I saw the Superior Walls at a trade show. IIRC they were something like $75 per foot. Pulte Homes is using them in a subdivision in Raleigh. Looks like a neat idea.

Steve.

[Gary KW4Z]

First of all a disclaimer, I'm no expert nor do I have experience however like you I have done some research and have some concerns. Below is a link to a company that makes wood panels for the basement and from there site is links to a video that talks about it. Funny that they mention the foundations of buildings Venice, Italy but they never really go back to telling you how the wooden pillars or post maintain themselves under the waters in the City of Venice.

My concerns are for the long run but I believe that company that makes the wood foundations provides a lifetime warranty but then if the foundation gives way and you lose a house are they just going to replace the foundation and too bad for your house and belongings and maybe your lives? I also wonder about termites and other wood infestations that can happen. I don't know that I trust even the treatments that are going into the wood products these days. Although there are problems with concrete a lot of those problems depends greatly on who does the work and how good they are.

If you get something really informative in your email I hope you will forward it to me as I'm going through the same decision process myself.

[Matt Whiting]

I used these under my log house when I built it in 2000 and so far, so good.

Matt