Does anyone have any experience with permanent wood foundations(PWF)? I am going to build a 24x34, 2 story barn. My soil is probably expansive clay. I am going to have a crawl space and thought with enough gravel and drainage a PWF would be a good choice. Thanks.
Bill
John has them as an option in some of his plan.
Here is some info he posted that touches on them.
http://countryplans.com/foundation/index.html
Glenn,
I had seen that, but what I am thinking of is wood footings and foundation walls on packed gravel. They are discussed at www.southernpine.com and www.cwc.ca. But I do not know anyone with any experiece building one. They look pretty simple and you do not have to fool with concrete :) They are supposed to be good for expansive soils.
John posted something about this before too.
Here is the free document link from Southern Pine.
http://newstore.southernpine.com/cgi-bin/newsopine/product?;32;
The PT wood foundation has a long history of success. It has not been picked up by conventional builders, however, with the exception of some in the NE where they use the material to build basements in the winter when concrete cannot be poured.
The key to a good job is careful drainage, the right nails and wrapping the outside of the foundation wall. In a basement the bracing details also have to be done right.
I think it would make a lot of sense for someone who knows basic framing and wants to build a solid basement or crawlspace foundation. I have plans and details for doing that in the Universal 20' wide house. These could be adapted to other houses.