Home foundations: types, piles and regional ground conditions

Published: 1 November 2026.

A foundation transfers the weight of a home to the ground. The right solution depends on ground conditions, groundwater, building loads and any existing structure. An address in North Holland or Utrecht alone cannot tell you whether piles are needed. This guide explains how foundations developed, what lies beneath a home and how the choice for a particular plot is assessed.

How were foundations built in the past?

Where the ground could carry the load, builders traditionally used masonry or other shallow strips. On softer ground, timber piles were also used, supporting a timber grillage and later foundation beams. Methods varied by place and period. Research by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, for example, shows several foundation types side by side in Gouda. Concrete foundation beams and piles became more common during the twentieth century. The construction year alone therefore does not establish the foundation type of an individual building.

What lies beneath a home?

Loads pass from load-bearing walls and columns through foundation beams, strips, pads or a raft to the ground. With piled foundations, piles transfer those loads to deeper layers; foundation beams connect the pile heads to the building. A floor, crawl space or basement may form part of the construction, but is not automatically the foundation itself. For an existing home, drawings and a building survey are a useful starting point for understanding this arrangement.

Shallow foundations: what does “on natural ground” mean?

A shallow foundation bears directly on a suitable ground layer. The Dutch term “fundering op staal” does not mean the foundation is made of steel. Examples include strip footings beneath load-bearing walls, pad footings beneath columns and a raft foundation that spreads the load over a larger area. A shallow foundation may be suitable if near-surface ground has enough bearing capacity and expected settlement is acceptable. The building’s weight and form matter too. Sandy ground is no automatic guarantee: the layers and conditions on the plot must be assessed.

Deep foundations: when are piles needed?

If shallow layers are too weak or compressible for the design, a piled foundation may be needed. A pile transfers loads to deeper layers through its tip and/or friction along its shaft. A structural engineer and geotechnical specialist use ground data to select a suitable pile type, number and length. For an extension, they must also consider how the new foundation will behave beside the existing home. Differential settlement can affect the connection and finishes.

What types of foundation piles are used?

Timber piles matter particularly for older buildings. Their condition can depend on groundwater level; timber exposed as groundwater falls needs attention. Modern construction may use precast concrete piles driven into the ground, or piles drilled or screwed and formed with concrete in place. Steel tube piles or micropiles may suit restricted sites or foundation repairs. Methods differ in the space they need, noise, vibration and effects on neighbouring buildings. Read our separate guide to types of foundation piles.

Which parts of the Netherlands use piled foundations?

In low-lying parts of western and northern Netherlands, peat and clay layers are common. Examples include parts of North and South Holland, western Utrecht and northern peat areas. River clay occurs along the Rhine, IJssel and Meuse, including parts of central Netherlands. Sand is more common in higher areas of the east and south, where a shallow foundation may be possible. These are regional patterns, not a foundation design for a particular address. Sand, clay, peat, made ground and groundwater can vary even within one municipality. A heavy building may require a different solution even where the ground appears favourable.

How is the right foundation chosen?

Start with the design, expected loads and information about the plot. Existing drawings and data from the Dutch Key Register of the Subsurface can provide context but cannot replace an assessment of your site. A cone penetration test and, where needed, other ground investigations show the layers present and how the ground responds. Bearing capacity, settlement, groundwater and effects on neighbouring buildings are then assessed. Only after that can a structural engineer develop a suitable foundation scheme. Discuss access for equipment, vibration, noise and the connection to existing construction as well.

What does this mean for an extension or renovation?

Do not simply copy the foundation type of a neighbour or the existing house. An extension may involve a new opening in an external wall, extra weight and a different distribution of loads. Record existing conditions and design the connection before finalising the quotation. Read our guidance on extending an existing home and the role of a structural engineer.

Discuss your foundation plans

Planning a new home, an extension or foundation repairs? Send us the location, available drawings, photos, your requirements, approximate budget and preferred timing. Tell us whether a ground investigation has been carried out and whether a permit is in place or still needs checking. We can then discuss what further information is needed for an appropriate plan. Contact Ponto Services.

Sources and further reading: Deltares on foundations and subsidence, IPLO on ground bearing capacity, Bodemdata.nl for soil maps and NVAF on foundation methods. Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands on historic foundations in Gouda. Regional maps provide an initial picture; a design requires site-specific investigation.