FOUNDATION VS FOOTING

Sometimes the difference between Foundation and Footings might be a little confusing, not in small part because these parts aren’t visible most of the time. At iFix we’ve always maintained that ‘Knowledge is Power’ and we try to give you as much knowledge as we can. Understanding the difference between Footings and Foundations can help you anticipate foundation issues that might pop up in your home.

The Footing is what sits in the ground; it is a specific part of the foundation. The base of the foundation that transfers the weight of the structure to the soil. It is typically wider and thicker than the rest of the foundation and it is dug into the ground beneath the foundation walls or piers. 

Footings are usually made from reinforced concrete, and their purpose is to spread the weight of the building across a larger area to prevent the structure from settling too much into the ground. They also prevent movement and shifting by providing a stable base.

Footings are typically designed to be below the frost line to avoid any shifting caused by freeze-thaw cycles.

The Foundation is the entire structure that supports the building and transfers its weight to the ground. It acts as a base for the rest of the building, preventing settling, tilting, or shifting over time.

It can either be in contact directly with the soil or sit on footings.

Essentially, the foundation is everything that connects the house to the ground, keeping it stable and level over time.

Generally both Foundations and Footings are made out of concrete. Footings are also used on their own to support smaller structures like sheds, pergolas and fence posts.

To recapitulate before we go further, you can think of the fountain as the the base of a table (the surface that holds everything up) and the footing as the legs of the table that  spread out and support the weight evenly to prevent the table from tipping over or sinking into the floor.

Key Differences in Appearance:

Distinguishing between footings and foundations is fairly simple once you know what to look for. Read on to understand how to tell them apart.

- Location: Typically, footings are not visible because they extend several feet below the ground and are often situated beneath the home’s foundation. Any concrete visible under most homes is part of the foundation. However, concrete piers in a pier and beam foundation are technically footings that form part of the foundation system.

In some cases, footings may be visible in structures like decks, sheds, or fence posts, but these footings aren’t directly tied to the home’s foundation.

- Size: Footings visible beneath smaller structures, such as sheds, decks, patios, or pergolas, are usually less than a foot wide in diameter. Home foundation footings tend to be much larger, but are generally underground and out of sight. The exception is the pier and beam foundation, where concrete supports are visible.

A foundation is a large concrete structure that usually covers the entire footprint of your home. Common types of foundations include concrete slab foundations, crawl space foundations, and basement foundations, all of which are made up of concrete slabs. Crawl spaces and basements also include concrete walls around the perimeter.

Types of Footings: There are four primary types of footings used in residential construction:

• Individual footings: The most common, these are used for smaller structures like decks or pergolas. They are single concrete piers set into the earth.

• Combined footings: These are two individual footings placed side by side to support larger loads.

• Raft footings: Large slabs that sit directly on top of the soil, supporting the entire structure above without other footings beneath. These are often used for floating slab foundations, commonly used in shed construction.

• Strip footings: Continuous, underground supports for walls above ground, typically used in strip foundations.

As for foundations, here are some of the main types, some of which may have footings included:

• Slab foundation: Slabs either sit directly on the soil or on shallow or deep footings. There’s no under-home space, with the structure resting directly on the concrete slab.

• Basement foundation: Similar to crawl spaces but deeper, often resting on footings. Basements usually have concrete block or poured concrete walls around the perimeter.

• Pier and beam foundation: Comprising concrete piers (footings) set into the ground, this foundation uses wooden beams to support the structure above.

Applications and Uses

Besides their appearance, you can often determine whether you’re dealing with footings or foundations based on their application.

Home Construction

In residential construction, which involves heavy structures, a foundation system that includes footings is almost always required. Homes don’t typically sit directly on footings, except in the case of a pier and beam foundation, where the footings double as the foundation, or with a floating slab foundation (though the latter is rare in residential settings).

Outbuilding Construction

For smaller outbuildings like sheds or detached garages, which are much lighter than homes, footings may be used without a full foundation system.

Footings are often used as the sole foundation for sheds, but floating slab foundations are more commonly used for larger sheds or detached garages. Although floating slabs are technically footings, they’re also considered foundations because they bear the load of the structure and provide level support.

Minor Construction

For lightweight structures such as pergolas, arbors, and fence posts, you'll typically see footings instead of complete foundations. These smaller structures use individual footings that distribute the load deep enough to prevent soil movement from freezing or moisture runoff.

If you’re dealing with any issues related to foundations or footings, or if you have any doubts about the best solution for your property, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at iFix Foundation Repair. Our team is here to provide professional guidance and reliable services to ensure your home’s foundation stays secure and stable. Contact us today and let us help you protect your home for years to come!