ᐅ Concrete Slab vs. Strip Foundation for a Garage

Good evening,

we are planning to build a masonry garage of about 55 square meters (590 square feet)... I would like to have tiles in the garage, but the homeowner would be fine with simple paving stones extended from the driveway...

The builder suggests using a strip footing that can be fully concreted after the final decision...

Is this a poor solution, or is it acceptable to do it this way?

Thanks

Since entire houses are built this way (for example, mine), I believe it works (without knowing or being able to explain the structural engineering details). However, I was told that a house whose slab on grade is not a structural element but simply rests on strip footings is the cheapest type of construction. For a garage, though, that would be fine with me.

Side note: Listen to your wife!

Tolentino schrieb:

Side note: Listen to your wife!

I thought using a hose to wash it out or to break it open would be easiest with the tiles...

Well, you can also hose down the paving. The water will just seep into the ground there.

What do you want to break up there?
The advantage of paving without a concrete slab is that if you ever need to run pipes or cables under the garage later on, you can do that.

Tolentino schrieb:

What are you planning to break up there?

Unbelievable...

Tolentino schrieb:

Well, you can just hose down the paving. The water will just soak in there.

I just thought salt/oil would come off tiles more easily... And that they retain heat better, right?

Okay, yes, the whole blood situation is a bit tricky. Tiles are definitely better than paving stones in that case.
I would also recommend planning for a floor drain right away.
If your hobby is worth it to you, it’s better to go for a concrete slab from the start.

Regarding salt, I’m not sure—it probably depends on the type of paving or tiles and whether they can withstand it.
The heat mostly concerns the concrete slab itself, less so the tiles. But if the slab isn’t insulated, it won’t retain heat for very long and will take a while to warm up.