The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) has published an all-new, 2017 edition of its popular booklet “Raised Wood Floor Foundations – Design & Construction Guide”.
This 16-page publication is aimed at homebuilders, architects, engineers and specifiers. It explains how to build to a higher standard, outlining the many advantages offered by building a wood floor system above grade, including long-term durability and trouble-free performance. Enhanced curb appeal and energy efficiency are added features.
An introductory section covers site conditions, soil properties, design considerations and connections. Five pages are devoted to detailed three-dimensional illustrations that explain various foundation configurations: pier and beam and continuous stemwall construction on a variety of footings. Eight tables provide floor framing allowable loads for girders using Southern Pine dimension lumber, glulam, nail-laminated lumber or LVL and maximum joist spans using Southern Pine lumber, trusses or wood I-joists. Allowable live loads for plywood and OSB sheathing are also listed. Closed crawlspaces, moisture management and insulation topics are addressed, along with ten cost-saving strategies.
“Here is a concise and very helpful guide to the workings of a raised wood floor foundation system, with options to meet various site and soil conditions,” explained SFPA’s Richard Wallace, vice president of communications. “This guide will become a timely tool as rebuilding gets underway in flood-ravaged areas,” he added.
This title is now available as a PDF download from the Publications page of www.SouthernPine.com. Additional information for consumers and building professionals is available at SFPA’s dedicated website www.RaisedFloorLiving.com.