Nearly everyone is familiar with beams. After all, beams are a crucial component of a home’s structure. Beams can simply be defined as horizontal structures that construction engineers usually use to help evenly distribute the weight of various construction elements used in the upper parts of a house. Their primary task is to provide your home with the much-needed support to ensure it remains compact and strong.
And while a significant number of Auburn Hills, MI homeowners have some basic idea of what beams are, most of them actually don’t know that we have two basic types of beams, including ground beams and plinth beams. As experts in the construction industry, we are here to help you know and understand the difference between these two important features of your home.
So, what are ground beams?
First and foremost, it is worth noting that ground beams are also known as grade beams. So, you shouldn’t be surprised if you come across someone who describes them as such. Grade or ground beams are predominantly used at the foundation level, where they are expertly constructed, erected, and subsequently held into position using piers. Their primary job is to offer support to joists, walls as well as other areas of your structure.
But when are ground or grade beams used? It is important to note that in Auburn Hills, MI, construction professionals often use these beams when the soil structure underneath the property’s foundation isn’t deemed robust enough to offer the necessary support it needs. Ground beams are often derived from concrete, and this gives them their robust, durable, and sturdy design. They are also relatively affordable.
What’s more, bearing in mind that they are derived from concrete, they can be easily manipulated and molded into any type of shape or size. They are popular among Auburn Hills, MI homeowners thanks to their unrivaled affordability, durability as well as customizable feature.
So, what are plinth beams?
Plinth beams derive their unique name from the fact that they are usually installed at the plinth level. In case you didn’t know, plinth level simply implies above the ground level. As opposed to their ground or grade beam counterparts that require the support of piers, plinth beams don’t require any type of support. They are stand-alone! But it is worth noting that they should only be handled or installed by proven professionals because small problems with height, breadth, and weight can easily result in major problems over time. A simple rule of thumb is to ensure that the plinth’s width is the same as the width of the wall they support.
It is imperative to note that in Auburn, Hills, MI, most construction experts use plinth beams to eliminate settlement or differential from a structure’s foundation. And this is conducted by equally distributing the resulting pressure created by walls over the whole foundation. And this implies that plinth beams provide a home with a robust and solid foundation to stand on. What’s more, they dissuade both the extension and propagation of cracks from the foundation into a home’s walls.
The Bottom line:
There is no doubt that both plinth and grade beams are essential features of a home. However, as you may have realized, they serve very different purposes and can’t be used in place of the other. If you are not sure about anything, don’t hesitate to contact your local construction expert for more information regarding beams and their correct applications!
Give Flat Rock Concrete Construction, Inc. a call today! Our office numbers are (248) 379-0250 or (586) 726-6091