Another frost wall vs. mono slab question...

[turbosl2]

Intro:
I recently purchased a new home in Connecticut and the only thing it is missing: A garage! This forum looks great... I aspire to one day build a garage like some members have.

Questions:
I have read a few of these threads but there is never a concrete answer.

1. Which is TRULY a better value for money for a 24x24 detached garage...mono slab or 4' Frost Wall foundation?
2. Does anybody remember what they paid for a similar project with either configuration?
3. Why does mono slab seem to be frowned upon in New England?

Current background info:

• Garage is a pre-built unit
• Pre-built company has me find my own foundation contractor, but highly recommends frost wall foundation for their garages to be placed on
• Town building inspector allows mono slab but also highly recommends frost wall
• Foundation contractor said he is happy to do a frost wall but says mono slab is sufficient
• Current mono slab quote is ~$8k. Frost wall ~$12k.

Thank you!

What did you end up going with and how much was the foundation. I am in the SAME situation here in NY. <600sqft mono, or frost wall if i go larger.

 

[QuattroPower88]

What did you end up going with and how much was the foundation. I am in the SAME situation here in NY. <600sqft mono, or frost wall if i go larger.

I put it off until spring thinking there will be frost... but not yet this year!

I will likely go with frost wall option though. And my foundation contractor said should be anywhere between $11-12k.

Good luck and please let me know what you choose and why when you've decided


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[turbosl2]

I put it off until spring thinking there will be frost... but not yet this year!

I will likely go with frost wall option though. And my foundation contractor said should be anywhere between $11-12k.

Good luck and please let me know what you choose and why when you've decided


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow that is expensive. I deff will not be going frost wall. I may apply for a variance with NYS to see if i can go 28x28 with a monolithic slab. I def wont be putting that much money into a structure like that for the foundation. I have seen many buildings 30yrs old that are perfect, maybe some cracks in the slab in the center of the floor but whatever.

 

[Homebody]

Wow that is expensive. I deff will not be going frost wall. I may apply for a variance with NYS to see if i can go 28x28 with a monolithic slab. I def wont be putting that much money into a structure like that for the foundation. I have seen many buildings 30yrs old that are perfect, maybe some cracks in the slab in the center of the floor but whatever.

Ditto here. I'm in N.Illinois and plan on doing a slab on my 22x36 in the Spring.
Currently have a 22x22 with a slab that was poured in 74 and not a single crack in it.

 

[slowthump]

As for "trench footings", they're not common here, and for good reason. Our building code requires a footing (8" thick minimum) that extends a minimum of 4" each way of the frost wall on each side. Also, they can't be dug to perfection, so they leave hundreds of areas or frost to "pick" at the sides of them and lift them. Pretty much the same reason son-tubes are required, because they promote a smooth finish that isn't susceptabel to frost "picking".........[/QUOTE]

I think the frost "picking" thing is often overlooked and not well known. When I built my deck 20 years ago I thought I had any frost heaving prevented by digging my post holes 5 feet deep, pouring a footing at the bottom and then concrete in sono tube. The deck still heaves every winter and is caused by the surrounding soil freezing to the sonotube and then lifting the tube and deck. It goes back down most of the way in the spring but not all the way. Every few years I have to re-level the deck. This can be prevented by backfilling the concrete post with gravel and wrapping the post in tar paper.