Building material feedback

[Shorelunch]

Looking at a house in northern MN with some materials I'm not too familiar with.

Built in 2007.

* Basement method: wood (construction method is frame/wood)

* Fiberglass shingles

* Cement board exterior

Anyone have any feedback on these?

[K_Josh87]

sounds like an decently built home... We have done several wood foundations, and they are actually VERY VERY nice when they are done correctly, we even did one with a treated wood floor, and that was a wonderful idea... In fact I would consider that wood foundation and floor, with spray foam in my own home someday if and when I get to build my own. Cement board siding and the shingles really depend on they brand... just as everything else, there's good bad and ugly...

[delcecchi]

There is a house up the block from me that was build with wooden basement walls etc. That was like 20 or 30 years ago, and it seems to be fine. Time flies.

[K_Josh87]

I will add my father put a lot of wood foundations up in the late seventies and early eighties as well, still in very good shape... its all in the backfill and drainage, and damp proofing, which is all necessary with any foundation to work properly.

[cavalierowner]

I don't hear much about the wood foundations any more. Are they still being put in? I very seriously considered it when I built my own house in 1980, but finally decided against it only because I was afraid the uninformed public perception of a wood foundation may make it difficult to sell the house.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Very few homes are built in MN with wood foundations. Even though they may be just as good as concrete, you'll have a heck of a time selling a home with one. Buyers are very afraid of anything abnormal. If you plan to keep it forever obviously you won't have to worry about that. Be sure to have someone familiar with wood foundations take a look at it.

[K_Josh87]

We put one in last year, one in 3 years ago, and two in a few years before that.. So, Not nearly as common I do not think, but a very good system IMHO....

[cavalierowner]

I always thought it was a great system. You could get a good R value, easy to wire, easy to finish.

[K_Josh87]

yup, and they last one we did we put on a thick membrane (rolled foundation sealer) and it worked out very slick... it was a thick sticky backed material very similar to ice and water, but much thicker, and more or a rubber like material. Made specifically for foundation water proofing... But all the company engineer called for was the seams to be sealed, and 6 mil poly placed on the exterior...

[cavalierowner]

You must be talking about W.R. Grace's Bituthene (or approved equal!). We used that a LOT in our commercial projects for walls, under plaza decks, etc. Good product. We also used it on residential roofs before ice & water was available.

[paceman]

I think there are more wood basements than folks think. At least around here. I know lots of folks with them. My last house was a woody, my current one is a woody. When buying/selling it has not been a factor, at least with me. My last house was a 87, my current is a 96. No issues at all.

[K_Josh87]

Cavy, I think you may be correct, it may also have been a TAMKO product, but I cannot remember for sure... it sure was a pain to work with on a 10 foot wall in a 2 foot trench, but it sure did the trick!