Most building techniques that improve quality or save energy also increase construction costs. But the frostprotected shallow foundation (FPS foundation) is an exception: If you build in an area where frost heaves can cause trouble, frost-protected shallow foundations enable you to build a higher- quality, more energy-efficient building for less money than the traditional deep footing. Now that the technique is being accepted by the major model codes, it's time for builders to take a good look at FPS foundations. How an FPS Foundation Works The FPS foundation concept is so simple it's surprising that it hasn't caught on sooner in the United States. Rather than install our footings below the frostline
