I'm in the planning stage for our new house, and we're going with a permanent wood foundation. This is a full basement. I have two choices, I can go with your standard built up lumber grade beam for the house with teleposts (columns), or I can build a load bearing wall in the basement.

Advantages to the beam is, more open design capabilities not counting the posts kind of being in the way (which is what all basements generally suffer from). Some disadvantages are the build itself. Its more complicated, as I need individual built up PWF footings for each post and the end wall needs to be modified to accommodate the beam in the pockets.

Advantages to the load bearing wall, is I can use a continuous sleeper footing for the wall, which is much easier to place etc. Plus, the end walls don't have to be modified or have any built up capabilities etc. The single biggest disadvantage is I'll have to know up front how I want to design my basement layout to accommodate doorways and whatnot in that wall. And it doesn't really lend itself to a more open concept for the basement.

I think lumber cost differences will be negligible or at least not bearing on my decision. I just wanted to get your insight. Thanks again guys!

EDIT: Something else I wanted to add. Teleposts can be adjusted which is I believe mainly due to settling of the footings. A bearing wall can't be adjusted, but its more evenly distributed over the entire ground surface from one end to the other.

Hi KingsX,
I am an architect who grew up in a house with a all-wood foundation, and I used an all-wood foundation in the house that I just built for myself. I assume that you are talking about your center support. Depending on your span and load issues, you may be able to use wood floor trusses. They are 18" deep and can span up to about 30'. If that is not an option that intrests you, then I would recommend going with posts. The beam pocket is very simple, and so are the footings for the posts. Run a doubled 2x12 (with off-set ends of course) for the footing, and you will be fine. You should set the footings on crushed stone instead of gravel. You will have fewer problems with settling and water, so it is worth the little extra money that it costs. A good way to insulate your floor (if you live somewhere where you care about that sort of thing) is to use geotech styrofoam and simply place your wood footings on top. This will give you extra bearing stability, excellent insulation, and superior water protection.

That is great advice, thanks! My foundation is 26x56 with the beam running down the 56 foot length. When you mention the trusses, you are talking about the floor joists right? I would still need either a beam or a load bearing wall. Unless, I'm thinking of the wrong thing? Thanks.