Basement, semi-basement or basement – what to choose when building a house

Whether it’s a crawl space, semi-basement, or basement, selecting the proper lower-level space for your house can have a big impact on its usability, comfort, and worth. Before selecting a choice, homeowners should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option. Comprehending these distinctions is essential to guaranteeing that the foundation of your house fulfills your requirements and complements the setting in which you are constructing.

Because of their adaptability and ability to significantly increase a home’s living or storage space, basements are popular. When completed, they can serve as extra bedrooms, living spaces, or home offices. To avoid problems like flooding and the growth of mold, they do, however, require careful waterproofing and drainage solutions. Because basements provide more square footage without expanding the footprint of the house, they are especially appealing in areas where land is expensive.

A middle ground between above-ground living spaces and full basements is provided by semi-basements, also known as daylight basements. Usually, they have doors and windows that open to the outside, letting in natural light and creating a cozier atmosphere. Compared to a conventional basement, this option may offer more living space that feels less closed in. Particularly attractive are semi-basements where the house can be integrated into the landscape on sloping terrain.

In contrast, crawl spaces typically cost less to construct and maintain than fully finished basements. They act as a buffer between the house and the earth, which can aid in controlling moisture and avert insect infestations. Crawl spaces are good for storing HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems but are not ideal for habitation. In areas that are prone to flooding or have high water tables, they make sense.

It’s important to take into account aspects like the intended use of the space, budget, soil conditions, and climate when choosing between these options. Every option has unique advantages and disadvantages that may affect the overall layout and functionality of your house. Making the right choice for your needs requires careful planning and speaking with building experts. This will help guarantee that your choice will provide a strong foundation for your house for many years to come.

The decision to build a house with a basement, semi-basement, or no basement at all can have a big impact on the project’s overall cost and functionality. Every choice has benefits and cons. For example, a semi-basement strikes a balance between cost and space, while a full basement can be expensive while providing additional living or storage space. On the other hand, skipping the basement may save costs, but it also prevents you from expanding in the future. Budget, intended use, soil conditions, and local climate are some of the factors that ultimately influence the decision. You can select the best foundation type that fits your needs and long-term goals by weighing these factors.

Classification of basements

The simplest method is to consult SNiP 2.08.01-89 and 31-02-2001 right away. In addition to discussing the specifications for residential buildings, they offer a list of properties that are similar to basements. In light of this, there are:

• Basement floor. In this case, we are talking about a conventional basement. A room of this type is more than half below ground level. The basement can be heated or unheated.
• Underground. According to the standards, this type of room includes the space that is located between the ground and the ceiling (floor) of the first floor of the building. It is also characterized by the difference between windows and other sources of daylight. The underground can be technical or ventilated (ventilated). In the first case, we talk about the space that is used to accommodate utilities. For example, there may be sewerage, water supply, cables for electrical wiring and much more. A pumping station or boiler can also be placed in the technical underground. A ventilated underground is usually installed in regions where cold temperatures prevail. This space prevents freezing of the entire building. A ventilated underground is installed between the floor of the basement (or technical) floor and the ground.

• Ground floor. This is a room that is no more than 50% below ground level. Unlike the underground, windows are usually installed on the basement floor. This space can be used both for a living area and for building a garage, bathhouse, workshop, boiler room, etc.
• Technical floor. It differs from the underground only in that it can be located not only at the bottom of the building, but also in the middle and even in the attic. Utilities are also laid in this area.
• Cellar. A basement-type room that is used to store crops, winter supplies, and other products. A cellar can be built both in the lower part of the house and as a separate utility-type building.

Although the basement floor is commonly referred to as a semi-basement, this classification does not recognize such a concept. Since one frequently has to choose between these types of buildings, it is worthwhile to give the features of the basement and cellar more careful thought.

Basement floor

As we have already found out, the basement (semi-basement) cannot be more than 50% below ground level, and the basement, on the contrary, must be deepened more than half. The height of the basement should be at least 2.5 m. If this figure is less, then we are talking about a technical underground. Also, the basement floor is determined by a number of additional characteristics:

• The presence of a separate floor covering. A concrete screed is often installed on the basement floor. A basement or underground space can be located underneath it.
• The presence of windows. Since the room is not deeply buried in the ground, full-fledged window openings can be installed in it and a ventilation system can be organized.
• The presence of external finishing. The basement is usually simply deepened, and the basement is finished together with the entire house.
• The presence of a ceiling. As with the installation of a basement, when constructing a basement floor, it is necessary to lay a ceiling that will separate the semi-basement from the first floor.

The basement needs load-bearing walls as well. It is frequently put on a strip foundation, with walls lining the basement’s perimeter. This does not preclude the basement from being constructed on a monolithic foundation, though.

The truth is that there are various kinds of basements because they are situated somewhat above ground level. These include:

• Non-deepened basement. In this case, the floor can be located no more than 1 meter below ground level.
• Partially deepened. In this case, a deepening of up to 50% of the total height of the room is allowed.

Recessed buildings that are more than half underground are also common today. This is how country homes built for private clients are constructed.

Practical! It’s also acceptable to build the basement on a removable foundation that extends beyond the main building’s limits.

Pros and cons of a basement floor

When discussing a semi-basement, it is important to note a number of noteworthy benefits:

• Ease of organizing natural lighting. In the basement, you will have to carry out artificial.
• Possibility of installation on a site with high groundwater levels. The basement can easily flood in the spring.
• The possibility of using the room for a variety of purposes. In a basement with an earthen floor located significantly below ground level, it is difficult to build a garage, a bathhouse or make a living room in it. Thanks to this, the total space in the house increases.
• The walls of the house do not have to cope with increased loads.

However, there are drawbacks as well:

• Since more than 50% of the basement is located above ground level, heat loss becomes more noticeable. Therefore, the basement is insulated in the same way as the entire building.
• The basement must be heated in winter, and air conditioning is sometimes required in summer. If heating is not provided in this room, the temperature in the cold season will drop to minus, which will provoke the formation of condensation.
• The basement requires more extensive and complex construction work.

Basement

It is clear from a closer look that the basement is not like the basement in many aspects. But the basement ceiling needs to be at least 180 centimeters high. While many homes have basements that are much lower than human height, this does not mean that they are utilized for technical purposes.

Practical! Despite being more functional, the basement is typically used for storage.

Moreover, the bulk floor or another covering helps identify the basement. Basements are typically not used for installing concrete screed. Usually, they retreat from the earth or confine themselves to a sand and gravel mixture. This room’s walls are a component of the foundation, which ought to be deeper. Furthermore, additional structures must be set up in order to distribute the loads from the house itself. This room and the first or basement floor are additionally divided by a ceiling in the basement.

When it comes to windows, the basement is rarely the place where they are placed. They are technically challenging to arrange because the room is substantially deeper than the basement.

A separate door (or hatch) and a staircase are typically installed for the basement if there is a staircase that leads to the lower level, which is also utilized for the first, second, and other floors. The space has a roof-mounted exhaust system for ventilation.

It is crucial to focus more on waterproofing (internal and external) when building a basement. The possibility of groundwater seeping through is increased when there isn’t a fully developed floor.

Pros and cons of a basement

When discussing the primary benefits, it is important to point out a few:

• The basement maintains a constant temperature, changes occur much less often than in the basement.
• The basement does not require additional electricity costs for heating in winter and cooling measures in summer.
• The basement can be converted into a cellar or a technical floor.

Conversely, though:

• Windows are not installed in the basement, so there is no necessary lighting. Also, in the summer it will not be possible to ventilate the room, which requires a more serious ventilation system. It will be necessary to organize artificial lighting, which a person will turn on when going down into a dark room.
• If the basement floor is only a bulk material, without proper waterproofing, then there is a possibility of flooding.

What to choose

Despite their many similarities, the semi-basement and basement serve different purposes and have different installation types. You should first determine exactly what you need the space for. The basement should be chosen if you intend to use it as a cellar because it has a nearly constant temperature. Its indicator is roughly +10 degrees from spring to late summer, and +5 degrees in the fall and winter.

Practical! More thermal insulation needs to be installed if the basement walls get frost in the winter.

Organizing a basement floor is the best option if the area has a high groundwater level because the basement will always be submerged in water. This also holds true if you wish to have a garage, living room, or other recreational space beneath the first floor.

However, setting up a basement or underground will be simpler when choosing the least expensive option. In this instance, electricity costs will also be reduced. Since the basement is a floor, there are more specifications for its installation.

Suburban areas frequently struggle with issues related to steep slopes. You can set up a combined option in this situation. This implies that there will be a basement with a room, sauna, or garage on one side of the house and a basement where you can put a boiler room, cellar, etc. on the other. This kind of solution will make up for variations in the terrain.

Crucial! It is important to keep in mind that the basement and the basement are two distinct types of basements when designing projects on your own, especially combined ones. As a result, issues could come up when processing paperwork, like when selling a plot. You are free to perform the installation at your own discretion if such operations are not scheduled.

When building a home, deciding whether to include a basement, semi-basement, or none at all is crucial because it impacts the house’s overall cost and functionality. The largest additional space is found in a basement, which can accommodate more living or storage areas but also necessitates a substantial excavation and building budget. For homeowners who live in areas with stable soil and low water tables and require additional space, this is the perfect option.

A halfway ground with some exposure to natural light and ventilation is provided by semi-basements. This is a more affordable option that gives you extra space without having to pay for a full basement. They work well for houses with sloping lots or in situations where full excavation is impractical. Compared to full basements, semi-basements are also less likely to experience moisture problems.

The best option might be to forgo a basement completely if financial constraints or site conditions make a basement or semi-basement impracticable. Construction is less complicated and there is less chance of water intrusion when there is no basement. In areas with high water tables or unstable soil, this option is frequently selected.

The ideal option ultimately relies on your unique requirements, financial situation, and site circumstances. Think about things like the soil’s stability, the climate, and your intended use of the area. You can ensure a comfortable and functional home and make an informed decision that supports your long-term goals by seeking the advice of a qualified builder or architect.

Video on the topic

Commerce in the basement and on the ground floors #realtorsochi #realestatesochi #buyapartmentinsochi

Construction of a foundation with a monolithic basement // The whole process from A to Z

What is better? Basement floor or basement

Basement in the house #basement #cellar #basement