HTHOMETALLYTHE PRACTICAL HOME GUIDE

Frost & ground/ CALCULATOR

Foundation frost-depth screening comparison

Compare a planned bearing depth with a locally established frost-protection target.

Enter the value established by the local authority or project designer, not a generic map estimate.
Enter only an additional depth explicitly required for this project; zero adds none.
Measure vertically from the final adjacent grade to the foundation bearing surface.
Screening target depth

1.20 m

Planned depth margin

0.15 m

Interpretation:The planned depth meets or exceeds the screening target by 0.15 m.

This is a comparison worksheet, not a foundation design. The frost depth and any offset must come from an applicable local requirement or the project professional. Soil frost susceptibility, groundwater, snow, heat flow, insulation, loads, drainage and excavation stability are excluded.

FROM ESTIMATE TO ACTION

Use the result, not just the number.

01

Verify the inputs

Measure or document each input. If a value is only an estimate, record its source and test a conservative alternative.

02

Keep the calculation traceable

Save the input link or copied result together with the date, units and assumptions. A number without its inputs cannot be checked later.

03

Confirm the decision

Compare the estimate with the related guide, current product data and requirements that apply at your location before buying or building.

Inputs to verify

Local design frost depth (m)
Enter the value established by the local authority or project designer, not a generic map estimate.
Required project offset (m)
Enter only an additional depth explicitly required for this project; zero adds none.
Planned bearing depth below final grade (m)
Measure vertically from the final adjacent grade to the foundation bearing surface.

Continue your calculation

Frost & ground

Foundation bearing and excavation elevations

Translate final grade, bearing depth and a working layer into site elevations and excavation depth.