Raft Foundations in Berkshire, Hampshire and all Locations in the Surrounding South East Region
Often referred to as raft footings or mat foundations, raft foundations are best described as concrete slabs positioned on level soil which extend across the entire footprint of a property. This is a shallow foundation technique but one that delivers superior load and stress distribution when compared to the more traditional style of trench foundations. This means that the full weight of the building spreads across a significantly larger surface area to reduce stress.
Up until recently, raft foundations were widely used for commercial builds but have now become a simple solution in the world of domestic construction, and especially for projects related to extensions and conservatories.
We are raft foundation specialists for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and our team has 30 years of combined experience.
This technique is especially suited to builds with a small overall footprint where load calculations are more basic. The contractors at Horner Foundations also use raft (or mat) foundations for basement construction where slabs need to absorb loads directly based on the intended use of the building.
This is a method that is also well suited to projects with poor soil conditions.
New Developments
Perhaps the most important consideration with raft foundations is their ability to nullify the need for substructural flooring construction because the slab spans the entirety of the build’s ground floor. Because this is very much a shallow foundation technique, clients benefit on cost savings related to spoil removal, and on hours saved overall because turnaround times decrease.
Our contractors can install toe beams around the perimeter of the slab which accommodate the external brickwork leaf during construction. A major benefit to this is that the brickwork will then hide the concrete slab from view.
Eco-Friendly Raft Foundations
These raft foundations are perfect for work in sensitive environments, such as when a tree preservation order is in place or where only no-dig construction methods are allowed. This is an above-ground piled raft foundation system that fulfils all arboriculture requirements. We use ground protection methods so that rigs can move freely across the site without causing disturbances.
Our piling operatives excavate the pile positions manually, by hand, and check for roots within the protected zone. Our structural engineers can then amend the design specification accordingly if any roots are found.
Piled Rafts are also perfect for new builds, house extensions, conservatories and construction over drainage systems and utility services.
Raft foundations have a variety of domestic and commercial applications, and the team at Horner Foundations can contribute to them all. We have used this technique on commercial projects in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex for many years, but we have seen a sharp increase in the use of concrete slabs on domestic builds in more recent times.
If you would like to learn more about raft foundations, or if you would like to arrange a consultation, survey and quotation, please contact us today.