Expertly poured foundations for builds across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato including RibRaft foundations
Strong, well-built foundations are one of the key elements of a successful residential or commercial build. Whatever the size of your build, you need a foundation you can trust.
At Central Foundations Tauranga, we specialise in proven methods like conventional concrete slabs and RibRaft flooring foundations. Our comprehensive concrete services cover everything from ground remediation to section scraping, profile and build of formwork, and the pour and place of various foundation types.
We have a team of highly trained and experienced professionals who ensure that every foundation we lay is strong, durable, and safe. With years of expertise, our contractors understand what it takes to create a foundation that will stand the test of time.
You can trust Central Foundations Tauranga to deliver high-quality work for your building project. Get in touch to work with our concrete specialists. We work with clients across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.
Innovative RibRaft flooring offers many benefits
RibRaft floors are an innovative alternative to traditional concrete slabs and have become increasingly prevalent in New Zealand building projects. RibRaft foundations include laying polystyrene pods, plastic spacers and steel reinforcing rods before pouring specially mixed concrete. As a result of the pods, the foundation sits on the ground rather than "in" the ground. Benefits include:
- Faster installation: The modular nature of RibRaft flooring allows for quicker installation compared to traditional methods, potentially reducing construction time and labour costs.
- Cleaner construction: RibRaft foundations are constructed above ground rather than needing to dig into the ground. That means less soil and material needs to be excavated creating less waste.
- Improved thermal insulation: RibRaft foundations offer better insulation from the ground helping to reduce energy consumption.
- Seismic strength: Because RibRaft foundations sit on the ground rather than in it they are less subject to ground movements in an earthquake.
As well as standard RibRaft floors, we can also install TC2 RibRaft Floors which are specially designed for sites where minor to moderate land damage from liquefaction is possible in future significant earthquakes.
A wide range of foundations to suit different site types
Different terrains and projects require different types of foundations, so our team has the capability to lay a range of foundations including:
- traditional concrete slab foundations poured directly onto the ground
- thickened edge foundations which give enhanced edge strength for added durability
- block ring foundations which are robust and stable for various building types
- stepped floors which are perfect for sites with varying elevations
We can lay foundations in a range of sizes from small shed floors to extensions to tailored solutions for larger commercial and industrial floors.
Our team can complete any necessary groundwork before laying foundations
It's important that foundations are laid on secure and level ground. To ensure the ground is properly prepared we can carry out earthworks including site clearance, excavation, site levelling and soil compaction. For RibRaft foundations this also involves careful site scraping to create a level surface for the foundations to sit on. We work with trusted subcontractors when necessary to carry out this work.
Once the site is level, we'll profile and build the formwork for the foundation before pouring the concrete. And once your build is finished, talk to us about coming back and completing the section with a high-quality concrete driveway.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Concrete foundations are durable, fire-resistant, and resistant to decay. They offer good load-bearing capacity and can provide thermal insulation when properly designed.
Concrete foundations can last over 100 years with proper care. However, environmental factors and construction quality can influence their lifespan.
While concrete sets in a few hours, it takes approximately 28 days to reach its full strength. However, most foundations are strong enough for construction to continue after 7 days.
While concrete foundations are generally low-maintenance, homeowners should ensure proper drainage around the foundation, seal any cracks to prevent water infiltration and inspect regularly for signs of shifting or settling.
Small hairline cracks are common as concrete cures. However, larger cracks, especially those that widen over time, may indicate structural issues or foundation movement and should be inspected by a professional.