Your foundation is the most critical element of any structure. It transfers the weight of your building to the ground, resists uplift from wind, and prevents movement from frost heave. Get it wrong, and everything above it like walls, roof, and doors is compromised. Look at our materials, and you’ll understand we put care into every part of every build
At Swiss Construction, we don’t take shortcuts below grade. We assess your soil type, frost depth, water table, and local building codes to recommend the right post and foundation system for your specific project. Whether you need a simple direct burial for a residential garage or a precast concrete Perma Column system for a commercial post frame building, we provide solutions engineered to last.
The posts (or columns) are the vertical members that transfer your building’s weight down into the foundation. We offer two primary types, each with different performance characteristics and price points.
Solid posts are made from a single, continuous piece of dimensional lumber. Because they are minimally processed, they are the most economical option.
Best for: Budget-conscious projects, secondary buildings, and applications where some natural wood movement is acceptable.
Consideration: As solid posts dry and age, they may be more susceptible to cracking, checking, and twisting compared to engineered alternatives.
The most straightforward approach. Posts are set directly into holes dug in the ground, then backfilled. Modern treated wood products are rated for ground contact and resist decay.
Best for: Agricultural buildings, equipment sheds, and structures where simplicity and cost savings are priorities.
Key Requirement: Use only pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact. Untreated wood in soil will fail within years.
Not sure which option fits your budget and site conditions? Here’s a quick guide:
We don’t guess when it comes to foundations. Our team calculates required post depth based on your local frost line, designs for specific wind uplift loads, and ensures every connection meets or exceeds building code requirements.
A note on Perma-Column: Because the wood post never touches the soil, buildings on Perma-Column foundations often qualify for longer term financing and insurance policies that require the structure to be considered “permanent” rather than “agricultural.”
Let our team review your site conditions and help you select the right post and foundation system for your new building.