Raft vs Waffle Slabs: Which foundation should you choose for your custom home
Everything you Need to Know to Choose the Right Foundation for your Custom Home Build.
A solid foundation is the most crucial element of any home. When deciding on the right choice for your home, you'll come across two main options—raft and waffle slabs. Each has its benefits, but understanding your soil type, design requirements, and budget will help you make the right choice.
Why Raft Slabs are Ideal for a Custom Home
Designed to spread the load of a home over a larger area, raft slabs are ideal for constructing custom homes across Geelong, the Surf Coast, and the Bellarine. Suitable for most soil types and less susceptible to moisture damage, a raft foundation is a thick steel-reinforced concrete slab with steel-reinforced beams that comply with Australian Standard AS2870. These beams are dug into the ground for added strength and stability.
Benefits of Raft Slabs
When building a Bellarine or Surf Coast custom home, the foundation you choose is vital to ensuring long-term stability and comfort. Here’s why a raft slab might be the perfect choice for your project:
Allows moisture through without warping
Less prone to cracks or damage
Suitable for sloping lots and high-wind areas
More tolerant of poor ground conditions
As a custom home builder located on the Bellarine, we use raft slabs versus waffle slabs to create stronger, more durable foundations for our custom homes.
Waffle Slabs Explained
A waffle slab foundation is a reinforced concrete footing and slab system constructed on top of the ground. It consists of a perimeter footing (edge beam) and a series of narrow internal beams or strip footings running in both directions. When viewed from underneath, the structure resembles a waffle—hence the name.
While waffle slabs are commonly used in construction, they may not be suitable for:
Soft ground conditions
Sloping sites
High-wind areas
Regardless of your choice, your slab foundation should always be designed by a qualified professional and comply with Australian standards.
High-Performance Homes with Sustainable Foundations
At Live Green Homes, we don’t just build sturdy foundations; we also focus on sustainability. As certified Passive Home builders, we’re committed to designing energy-efficient, sustainable homes that are both environmentally friendly and cost-effective over the long term.
Whether you're looking for a fully custom home or one of our thoughtfully pre-designed floor plans, we ensure every detail aligns with high-performance building standards. Our focus on passive design principles, high insulation, and airtight construction means lower energy bills, improved comfort, and a healthier living environment.
Ready to build a custom home with a strong, sustainable foundation? Contact our custom home builders to discuss how our high-performance, energy-efficient designs can benefit you. Call us at 0433 220 998 or visit our Bentley 32 Display Home in Leopold to learn more about building with Live Green Homes, one of the Bellarine’s best custom home builders.