Ever wondered about those piles of foam blocks stockpiled on a building site? They’re called waffle pods, and they are a key element of one of the most commonly used house foundation types in Australia.
The waffle pods are laid out in a grid pattern, with a space left between each pod. Steel reinforcing is placed in these spaces. Reinforcing is also placed around the edges and across the top of the whole assembly.
When concrete is poured onto the waffle pod assembly, the spaces between each pod become super-strong reinforced ribs. These ribs give a waffle pod slab stiffness and consistency that ensures a solid basis for a new home.
It’s this arrangement of ribs and pods that give the system its name – if you were to look at one of these slabs from underneath, it would look like a waffle!
The thickness of a waffle pod slab, and the size of the ribs and edge beam around the outside of the slab can be varied according to engineering requirements. Heavy concrete piers may also be poured at specific locations under the slab if additional support is needed due to local site conditions.
So what are the advantages of using waffle pods? The waffle pod system allows more accurate specification of concrete quantities, reduces waste and boosts building site efficiency. Compared to other method of forming a slab, waffle pods create a more consistent, predictable foundation for your home.
The system can also have less impact on the environment – there is less soil disturbance, and no excavated rubble from trenches that needs to be transported off site.
Waffle pods also provide substantial insulation under a slab. This can improve the thermal comfort of a new home.
As with any foundation system, slabs built using the waffle pod system need to be properly maintained. Wet/dry cycles in the soil under a slab should be avoided, so drainage is particularly important. The CSIRO has produced a helpful guide on foundation maintenance (see https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/7076/). The CSIRO does charge a modest fee for the guide, but Balance provides a free copy to every one of our clients.
We don’t want to waffle on (see what we did there), so let’s wrap this up. The advantages of the waffle pod system are too significant to ignore. The system is a fantastic innovation in modern construction, saving homeowners time and money.
The team at Balance provides expert assistance at every stage of the residential construction process, from initial feasibility analyses to final touch-ups. Our in-house design team has produced a portfolio of exceptional new home designs, and we also offer custom design services using state-of-the-art design software (including 3D renderings you can view on your smartphone or VR glasses!).
We have solutions for steep sites, beachfront lots, and unusually-shaped blocks. We take care of Council paperwork and approvals, and provide professional interior design advice to ensure your home is stylish and practical.
Seeking a construction partner for your next investment project? Balance are the Coffs Coast experts in townhouse and boutique developments, with multiple successful projects delivered over recent years, producing excellent returns for our clients.
We offer a unique service to investors, with our ability to handle every stage of your development, from early concept plans through to completion. We provide excellent value, and can even put you in touch with quality local real estate agents to help sell or rent your new development.
We also offer turnkey development solutions so investors can start earning a return sooner with less hassle.
Unfortunately, the big builders have convinced new home buyers that the only way to afford a new home is to settle for one of their standard plans or pre-arranged house and land packages. But why settle for a home designed for someone else?
A home designed to meet your specific needs may be much more affordable than you realise! At Balance, our pricing is transparent and we’ll happily tailor our designs to meet your budget and the family’s needs.
You’ve got nothing to lose – visit our display home, or give us a call today on 1300 056 298 to arrange a free consultation.