Homes are a place where people should feel safe, secure and peaceful. While many attain such stability, there are homeowners who live in houses that could be deemed dangerous and risky— especially in seismic areas.
There are a various building methods contractors use to establish homes. There’s the rebar, wire mesh and then there’s the use of post tension slabs— one that’s considered the best and safest among the three.
As you read along, you’ll learn more about the uses and benefits of post tensioning, particularly in homes. So if you’re looking at having a new house built from bottom to top, you consider the following information below.
What are post tension slabs?
Post tension slabs are concrete slabs with a series of steel bars threaded into them. These are used to create compression in order to keep the concrete more stable and secure.
These monolithic slabs are far thinner than the typical slabs used in wire mesh or rebar building methods.
How are these slabs created?
Understand that concrete is stronger when compressed and become weaker when tension is applied. That’s why the need for steel cables is satisfied.
In order to create a post tension slab, steel cables in the foundation are formed just before the concrete is poured in. These cables that are enclosed in plastic sleeves will continue to adjust and move until the concrete settles in.
Once the concrete has about 75% strength, the slabs are stressed with hydraulic jacks and left to cure, hence the term post tensioning.
What are its uses and benefits?
Post tension slabs were primarily used in massive structures, such as terminals, parking spaces, bridges and stadiums. Now, it has extended its use to more commercial and residential spaces, like homes.
The following are some of the uses and benefits of post tensioning for houses.
1. It resists soil movement.
One of the common problems among those who live in areas with expansive soil is the jarring movement. With post tension slabs, homeowners are guaranteed to have more secure, stable and resistant home foundation.
2. It makes more room for creativity.
The beauty of post tensioning is that it uses fewer materials, including the slabs compared to rebar and wire mesh methods. This means there’s bigger room for design flexibility and creativity.
Now that homeowners have more space to work with, they can add more details to turn their dream house into a reality.
3. It’s cost effective.
Since there are fewer materials builders need to work with, it follows that using post tension slabs are a cheaper alternative. Surely, homeowners who want to get the best of both worlds make a better investment once they choose to go for this method.
4. It increases home value.
Considering the security, safety and the other advantages post tensioning can give homeowners, it also means giving them a better value if they ever decide to sell their house.
Potential buyers are out to find the best home they can possibly invest on. So if homeowners incorporate post tension slabs into their homes, they will surely get a hefty amount in return.
A home is probably the biggest investment one can make. So if you ever plan to have yours in the near future, it’s best to have yours built using post tensioning.