Pier Foundation

Related terms

• Point Load

  A concentrated load delivered at one spot (e.g., a post or beam end) that must be carried continuously down to a footing — a key check wh…

• Pier & Beam

  A foundation of spaced piers carrying beams under the floor, leaving a crawl space. Easier utility access and floor leveling but more pro…

• Post & Beam

  A structural system of vertical posts carrying horizontal beams, concentrating loads at points (and their footings) rather than along walls.

• Parging

  A thin cement coat troweled over a foundation or block wall for a finished, more weather-resistant surface.

• Post-Tensioned Slab

  A slab with tensioned steel cables that resist cracking on expansive soils. Cables must never be cut — a critical caution before any slab…

• Moment Frame

  A rigid steel or engineered frame that resists lateral load without bracing — used to keep a wide opening (e.g., a removed wall or garage…

• PSI (Concrete Strength)

  The compressive strength concrete is mixed to (e.g., 3,000–4,000 psi for residential). Specified per application; higher for structural a…

• LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

  A strong engineered beam of glued wood veneers used for headers and beams where solid lumber can't span. Common when opening up a floor p…