Concrete masonry has a long history of use in North Carolina as a domestic building material. Many notable homes have been designed and built using this versatile product. Construction of masonry homes can be very economical, particularly when the designer uses the modular sizes of the masonry units to full advantage in an effort to minimise wastage. Masonry serves as a type of permanent formwork for concrete. The grout fill works in conjunction with the steel reinforcing to provide structural strength. Masonry is available in a wide range of shapes, textures and colors; and in units suited for a variety of building surfaces and elements. The range of block products is expanding as blocks with special finishes, sizes and thermal properties emerge in the market.
This is the foundation material most commonly used by Blue Ridge Homes due to the cost benefits. However, if the absolute best material for strength and waterproofing abilities are needed than we highly recommend an ICF foundation.

Poured concrete walls provide builders and owners with stronger, drier, better basements. They offer performance that block walls simply can’t match, at a competitive price.

Strength: Poured walls have a compressive and flexural strength several times that of block and far beyond the required safety factor.
Water Resistance: The increased strength, density, and joint-free construction of poured walls dramatically reduce basement water problems. A water-tight basement means less call backs for the builder or developer… less warranty problems.
Fire Resistance: Solid wall construction affords at least twice as much protection against fire as hollow core concrete block.
Design Flexibility: Poured wall techniques are adaptable to most home designs and offer the choice of either brick or smooth finishes.
Maintenance Ease: Poured wall construction is virtually maintenance free.

At their most basic level, insulating concrete forms (ICFs) serve as forms for poured concrete walls. However, instead of being removed after the concrete has hardened, ICFs remain in place and become part of the wall structure. As part of the wall structure, forms provide insulation on both the inside and the outside of the wall. The ties within the forms act as furring, so interior and exterior finishes can be applied directly to the foam.
ICF forms are made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), a material similar to that in styrofoam ice chests you can buy at the grocery store. The forms are made up of two panels of EPS held together by plastic ties. The ties are embedded into the foam to hold the form together. The embedded ends of the ties flatten out to form fastening surfaces recessed within the foam to allow for any type of exterior or interior finish. Since the ties run the full height of the forms, a ICF wall contains continuous furring strips, foundation to eave line.
To build ICF walls, simply stack the forms to shape your walls, install vertical and horizontal rebar, and fill the center cavity of the wall with concrete. You now have complete walls, insulated and ready to finish any way you choose.
ICF walls are complete walls—steel-reinforced concrete, insulation and furring all in one. They are ideal for either residential or commercial construction and will provide a structure that is superior to any other in strength, energy efficiency and all-around comfort.
If cost is secondary to having the best foundation that money can buy than the ICF foundation is our recommendation at Blue Ridge Homes.

Precast concrete foundation and wall panels can take many forms. Some consist of steel-reinforced concrete ribs that run vertically and horizontally in the panels. Others are solid precast concrete panels. Panels are precast and cured in a controlled factory environment so weather delays can be avoided. A typical panelized foundation can be erected in four to five hours, without the need to place concrete on site for the foundation. The result is a foundation that can be installed in any climate zone in one sixth of the time needed for a formed concrete wall.
Some manufacturers cast the concrete against foam insulation that provides the form during manufacture and added R-value in the wall. Panels range in size from 2'-12' in width by 8' - 12' in height and are typically installed with a crane on top of 4" to 6" of compacted stone. The stone facilitates sub-slab drainage and adequately carries and transfers the load from the foundation wall. Panel connections consist of bolts and sealant. The foundation can be backfilled as soon as it is braced per manufacturer's specifications.