What Is a Cribbing Foundation?
A cribbing foundation is a common term used on job sites to describe temporary falsework used during basement foundation construction. It usually refers to wood cribbing, shoring, or bracing that supports forms, soil, or structural elements until the concrete has cured.
This method has been used for decades, especially in conventional poured concrete basements. While it works, it introduces extra steps, materials, and labour that must later be removed once the foundation is complete.
Why Traditional Cribbing Adds Time and Cost
Cribbing foundations rely on temporary materials that do not remain part of the finished structure. After the concrete pour, crews must strip forms, dismantle cribbing, and clean the site.
This adds:
- Extra labour hours
- More material handling
- Higher disposal or reuse logistics
- Extended construction timelines
From an efficiency standpoint, cribbing is functional but not optimized for modern high-performance building.
How ICF Replaces Cribbing for Basement Foundations
ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) can be used to form basement foundations without the need for traditional cribbing or removable forms. The EPS panels stay in place after the concrete is poured, acting as both the formwork and the insulation.
This eliminates the need to strip forms or dismantle temporary supports. The result is a streamlined construction process where forming, insulating, and structural work happen in a single step.
For basement foundations, ICF provides a continuous wall system that is strong, straight, and ready for finishes once the pour is complete.
Reducing Time, Cost, and Energy With ICF
By removing the need for cribbing removal, ICF basement foundations reduce labour time, shorten schedules, and lower overall construction costs. Fewer site operations also mean less equipment use and lower energy consumption during construction.
Beyond the build phase, ICF basements offer long-term benefits including improved thermal performance, reduced air leakage, and better moisture control.
If you’re planning a basement foundation in Edmonton or anywhere in Alberta and want to avoid the inefficiencies of traditional cribbing, ICF is a practical alternative.
Get an ICF quote for your basement foundation and see how much time and cost you can save.