so here's the dealz: i'm poor and i'm a tree hugger, so i'd like to cut back on my concrete usage if possible. i was planning on doing a frost protected shallow foundation, but then i got to thinking, "what do i even need concrete for, except for the footers?" can i just do footers for the exterior/interior walls-with a few sonotubes for support posts-and not put concrete for the floor? i would still put down sand or gravel (does it matter which?) and then 6 mil poly. on top of that, i was thinking of putting papercrete (a mixture of recycled paper, sand, and a small % of concrete) on top of that for insulation, and then, an earthen floor. from what i have read, papercrete is approximately R2 per inch. i would think this would still work similar to a FPSF. any thoughts? thanks, Reuben
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- do i really need a slab?
Are you building a house with slab floors or with a crawlspace?
You need the concrete footers for the walls and you also need footers for the sonotubes. In standard basements, the columns supporting the beam in the basement have footers under the basement floor slab.
What are you using to build from the footer to the house wall. You'll want something that will not rot due to ground moisture. You'll also want something that termites won't penetrate.
For the bottom layer, use gravel with a drain to keep groundwater pressure from building up under the house.
You need the concrete footers for the walls and you also need footers for the sonotubes. In standard basements, the columns supporting the beam in the basement have footers under the basement floor slab.
What are you using to build from the footer to the house wall. You'll want something that will not rot due to ground moisture. You'll also want something that termites won't penetrate.
For the bottom layer, use gravel with a drain to keep groundwater pressure from building up under the house.
