Open and closed foundation in house construction?

Closed Foundation

In a closed foundation, the foundation wall

extends from the footing to the first floor around

the perimeter of the building. The foundation

wall is typically a bearing wall. The below-grade

portion is typically constructed of concrete or

masonry, but preservative-treated wood can also

be used. The foundation wall encloses

a basement, a crawlspace, or the soil below a slabon-

grade.

Open Foundation

In an open foundation, the building is supported

by piles or piers, and the bottom of the first-floor

framing is several feet above-grade Piles and piers are constructed of concrete,masonry, timber, or steel.