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There are two types of foundations predominantly used during the construction of a new home; Stem-Walls and Monolithic slabs. Both carry specific benefits and challenges during construction and it is important to know these before breaking ground during a new home building project. In this article we will explore the differences and benefits between the two types of foundations.

Monolithic Slab

Monolithic means “all in one pour” so the foundation is constructed in one single pour that is made up of a concrete slab with thicker areas under load bearing walls and all perimeter edges to take the place of footers. Because this Slab is poured all at once, it is much faster and keeps labor costs low. When used under the right conditions, Monoslabs can be just as sound as Stem-Wall slabs. In most sub division community builds, the ground is level throughout the entire property and more densely compacted with very little fill dirt required. In this case, if all finished floor elevations are the same from lot to lot and there is very little slope, Monoslabs may be the best choice. There are some major issues that can arise if lot conditions are not conducive to a Monolithic Slab. They can not be used when a lot of fill dirt is required because the concrete is more likely to crack if the ground isn’t compacted well enough. This is a problem for homes that need to be built up to rise above a flood plain provided by your engineer (as most lot builds in Florida must). In this situation, Monoslabs tend to crack around the perimeter walls and other major load bearing areas. This cracking can cause structural issues which affect other aspects of the house further down the building process like drywall and flooring if the framed walls aren’t stable. For these reasons, most lot builders in Florida (including us) prefer stem-wall foundations.

Stem-Wall

Stem-Wall slabs are constructed in a multi-part process where a footer is poured at virgin ground level, then blocks are laid forming a wall up to the finished slab elevation. This type of foundation is much more stable when fill dirt is required achieve the final build elevation. This process takes a bit longer than the Monolithic Slab, but a more stable foundation will prevent other issues down the road that could arise with trusses or wall construction. When dealing with varying lot conditions Stem-Walls are a much more consistent method of foundation construction.

Quality construction starts with a solid and consistent foundation.

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How much is a 12x16 shed?

$2,000 to $8,000 Generally, a 12×16 shed costs anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 depending upon whether it is DIY or prebuilt. The pricing is affected also by the style, type of roofing, or other special customizations.

durastorstructures.com - 12x16 Shed: Price, Siding Materials, Flooring & So Much More

For a list of materials for building a 12×16 shed, check out this article on How to Build a 12×16 Gable Shed.

Here are some of the tools needed:

Circular saw

Drill machinery and drill bits

Milter saw

6’ Ladder

Safety glasses

Hammer

Tape measurer

4’ level

Nail punch

Speed square

Extension ladder

2 sawhorses

If you do not already have most of the tools above, expect your overall shed cost to increase.

Time

Building a shed takes time especially if you want it done right. Expect to take at least a month or so of weekends to fully complete your 12×16 shed. Considering the amount of time that is required, you could calculate that in the overall cost of a DIY shed. Time is money. If you have plenty of time, then DIYing your shed will save you the cost of labor.

Labor

One of the main benefits of building a 12×16 shed by yourself would be saving on the cost of labor. The cost of labor contributes to the overall cost of a pre-built shed. However, if you are short on time and lack skilled carpentry experience, paying for another’s skilled labor will be worth it at the end of the day and 15 years down the road.