Opinion on foundation forms

[MWC104]

I've got a contractor lined up to do the concrete work for our attached garage. What I didn't realize is he only pours foundations using the forms that look like brick. My home was poured using the flat forms. Right now there is ~ 12"-16" of foundation showing but I plan on raising the yard elevation up to around 5"-8" exposed.

Do you guys think this is going to look ridiculous with the 2 different types of forms used?

 

[Rookie2]

do you mean Block with the core poured with concrete ? that would expose the stryofoam .

 

[bjcouche]

WHat he means is poured concrete, but the forms have a pattern in them that makes the solid wall look like bricks. IF you are only having 1' or less showing, then it's no big deal and won't really be noticable between the garage and house. If the garage were attatched to the house, maybe it would matter. I have my garage with teh brick pattern, except I have 8' tall concrete walls inside. Sometimes I wish I got the smooth surface because it would be easier to mount things flush directly to the concrete. However with the brick surface, it hides any imperfections, colors, etc. in the wall.

Brian

 

[MWC104]

WHat he means is poured concrete, but the forms have a pattern in them that makes the solid wall look like bricks. IF you are only having 1' or less showing, then it's no big deal and won't really be noticable between the garage and house. If the garage were attatched to the house, maybe it would matter. I have my garage with teh brick pattern, except I have 8' tall concrete walls inside. Sometimes I wish I got the smooth surface because it would be easier to mount things flush directly to the concrete. However with the brick surface, it hides any imperfections, colors, etc. in the wall.

Brian

The garage will be attached to the house. So, for example, we will have 60' of house foundation (poured concrete with flat forms) at the rear of the home and then it will continue on 36' 4" with the garage (will be poured with forms that have brick pattern). I told him there would eventually only be 5-8" exposed and he said it wouldn't be noticeable, especially when we landscape around. If it were over 1' exposed, he said he wouldn't suggest it.

 

[rayra]

Weird. Arent those forms two-sided, flat on the other side/ can't he just put them up inside out as it were? Sure seems like an odd business-constraining thing for a concrete guy to do. Sure he isn't just pulling your leg / being dysfunctional?

 

[buddyboy]

go out and look at those forms, they should have a 'brick' side and a 'smooth' side.

i could be wrong

 

[MWC104]

Weird. Arent those forms two-sided, flat on the other side/ can't he just put them up inside out as it were? Sure seems like an odd business-constraining thing for a concrete guy to do. Sure he isn't just pulling your leg / being dysfunctional?

I thought they were two-sided, but I can't say for sure. I've actually not seen any on the homes where I live. I don't think he'd be messing with me. It's kind of a strange ordeal as I've gotten several quotes for this project. This guy I called first and I gave him all the info and when we talked he said, "I'm going to have to shoot you a high bid since I'm coming from so far away" (1.5 hours). He came in at the lowest bid and had more experience and materials to be used on the project. The floor was higher PSI than the others, he uses fiber in the crete with rebar and mesh, etc. When I told him he had the best bid for what we were expecting to pay, he couldn't believe it. I actually had one guy quote me 13k higher than this guy. It was scary! I couldn't imagine paying 26k for concrete on a simple attached garage.

 

[larry4406]

The aluminum forms we use in VA and MD have a smooth side and a pattern side. Not reversible. Smooth is interior and pattern exterior.

 

[NUTTSGT]

It's your place, tell him you want smooth forms to match the house. If he has to rent them, then he has to rent them if he wants the job.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ ^ This. You're the Customer and one writing the check !!

 

[58Yeoman]

Is it Rick's from Henry. If it is, he does very nice work. My house was built in '79, not by me. It has the brick style walls in the basement on two walls that aren't covered, and I like it. The outside of the house is real brick all the way to the ground.

I wouldn't worry about it for only 8" showing.

 

[MWC104]

Is it Rick's from Henry. If it is, he does very nice work. My house was built in '79, not by me. It has the brick style walls in the basement on two walls that aren't covered, and I like it. The outside of the house is real brick all the way to the ground.

I wouldn't worry about it for only 8" showing.

It's Rawlins Concrete from Beardstown.