What is a basement?

Many homes are incomplete without a basement because it adds extra space and functionality. A basement, which is below ground level, can be used for a variety of purposes, including living quarters and home offices, as well as storage and laundry facilities. The needs of the homeowners and the layout of the basement determine how it is used a lot of the time.

Basements come in various varieties, each with unique features. Some are completely subterranean and are referred to as full basements; they provide a substantial amount of customizable space. Some are only partially underground, called partial basements. Ground level entries, or walkout basements, are common because they provide easy access to the outdoors and plenty of natural light.

To guarantee that a basement is solid and dry, careful planning and construction are necessary. In order to stop water damage and keep a comfortable atmosphere, proper waterproofing and drainage are essential. These considerations are incorporated into the design of many contemporary basements, making them useful and enjoyable spaces within a house.

Basements have more uses than just being functional; they can raise a property’s value. A well-finished basement can add more square footage and draw in more purchasers. A basement can be used for a variety of purposes, such as extra living space, storage, or recreation, all of which improve a home’s overall functionality.

Question	Answer
What is a basement?	A basement is the lowest level of a building, typically below ground level, used for storage, utility spaces, or additional living areas.
Why have a basement?	Basements provide extra space for storage, utilities, or living areas and can help keep the house warmer by insulating the ground floor.

What is a basement

A basement is a common topic of discussion among developers when talking about building private homes. What floor is this? is a question that occasionally comes up among non-construction industry people.

This portion of the structure is subterranean and serves as both the building’s foundation base and extra space for a variety of uses.

• Building projects provide for the possibility of arranging living rooms, for which it is necessary to make windows in the basement;
• The area allows you to arrange a workshop, and having completed the entrance to the basement in the form of a gate, it is not difficult to turn it into a garage, or a technical room;
• Sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to equip a gym in the foundation part, or any other auxiliary room;
• Dimensions allow you to organize laundry in the basement, drying and ironing room (utility room).

There are various options for using the basement. In multi -storey buildings, it has increased dimensions and is most often used for the following purposes:

• warehouse organizations;
• parking arrangements;
• Office placement.

Let"s consider the functional purpose of the base, which allows you to solve a set of problems:

• protect the walls from absorbing ground moisture;
• protect the floor of the lower floor of the building from overcooling;
• evenly distribute the loads from the weight of the building on the foundation base;
• form a horizontal base for the construction of walls and flooring;
• increase the height of the interior in the basement of the building;
• arrange rooms for various functional purposes.

The base is subject to adverse elements:

• high humidity;
• temperature changes;
• mechanical loads.

That’s why it’s crucial to follow technology specifications and use sturdy building materials when laying a foundation.

Basement in a private house – optimal dimensions

Projects for homes with basements invariably include details about the space’s measurements:

• Height: building codes provide for the possibility of constructing a base with a minimum height of 50 cm. Compliance with the size reduces the negative effects of cold and humidity, but does not allow full use of the basement space. Therefore, developers try to provide a height that is convenient for use, equal to 1.6–2.4 m;
• Length and width of the room, as well as the thickness of the foundation walls. The plinth has internal dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the building, taking into account the dimensions of the masonry building material or the thickness of the solid base. The thickness of the basement walls is 30–50 cm, depending on the design of the foundation base.

The basement walls are fitted with ventilation ducts for air exchange in compliance with building codes. You can keep the humidity in your basement at a comfortable level and prevent condensation by adding ventilation. Along the foundation’s contour, above the ground, ventilation holes with a recommended size of 20 by 20 cm are spaced 15 cm apart and have a 2.5 m step.

Basement waterproofing

Reliable protection against moisture intrusion into walls is offered by waterproofing. Both the inside and the outside of the base must be used for this.

To protect against moisture, the following building materials are used:

• Roll: they are a supporting base treated with a bitumen solution, synthetic composition or special polymer-based protection. Multilayer laying of roll material helps to increase moisture protection. The material should be laid with an overlap of 15-20 cm;
• Penetrating: the peculiarity of penetrating waterproofing material is the hermetic filling of cracks and capillary channels when applied superficially. The walls of the basement of the building acquire additional strength, as well as resistance to chemicals;
• Coating: they are designed to cover the external and internal walls of the basement. Waterproofing materials are represented by various types of mastics based on bitumen, polymers, cement. In order to increase the waterproofing effect, waterproofing is done in 2-3 layers.

When building a basement, it’s important to take precautions against soil moisture seepage and the damaging effects of precipitation.

Basement floor structure – types of basement

Choosing a basement design is an important decision to make when building a house.

The basement’s layout could include any of the following options:

• Protruding: the outer side of the basement is shifted outward relative to the walls, which improves the aesthetic perception of the building. However, the design is considered more expensive. A protruding basement of a building requires an increased volume of building materials and the installation of a protective canopy to drain water;
• Recessed: its outer plane is shifted inward by 50–80 mm. Requires a reduced amount of building materials, allows for reliable protection of the foundation and waterproofing layer, as well as the bottom of walls from the destructive influence of moisture. The main feature of the basement is its low cost;
• Flush with the outer plane of the outer walls of the building. This version of the basement structure is rarely used, since the external waterproofing layer in this version loses its protective properties. Block building materials, reinforced concrete and brick are used to make the basement base.

The option selected is decided upon individually based on one’s financial situation and the project’s requirements. When making the decision to construct a basement, seek advice from qualified builders who can guide you toward the best course of action.

Construction of the basement – materials used

The following categories of basements are distinguished based on the type of building materials used:

• Brick: it is constructed from various grades of brick;
• Monolithic: it is erected by concreting in a collapsible formwork with a reinforcement frame;
• Stone: has an increased margin of safety, but requires additional thermal insulation;
• Block: built from reinforced concrete elements, under which a concrete pad is formed.

Brick is one of the recommended basement options that experts point out as having advantages. The majority of brick basements are constructed in private homes. The material is not affected by moisture or environmental elements.

Columnar foundation with a basement

With the help of technology, a basement beneath a structure with a columnar base can be constructed quickly. The height of the basement is equal to the separation between the ground and the column’s projecting portion.

There are two possibilities for the basement:

• Suspended: constructed from panels or siding attached to foundation supports. It is cheap, but does not allow you to save heat in the room;
• Stationary: to build it, you need to dig a shallow trench between the columns and form a strip foundation.

The second, more costly option aids in lowering heat losses.

How to make a basement on a columnar foundation

Building a basement foundation on pile supports is a simple DIY project. Method:

1. Prepare a pit that follows the outline of the building.
2. Pour a crushed stone and sand cushion onto the soil surface and compact it.
3. Lay bricks to the upper level of the columns or concrete a solid foundation.

Once the solution has dried, move on to the next task.

Recessed foundation

Built as a strip foundation, the basement is set below the zero mark and conforms to the building’s outline.

The following are prerequisites for building a recessed basement foundation:

• the soil has normal moisture content;
• aquifers are located at a sufficient depth.

The outcomes of geodetic surveys indicate whether or not a recessed basement can be built.

A one-story house with a basement – stages of basement construction

The primary phases of building a basement foundation are:

1. Excavation.
2. Concreting.
3. Waterproofing.
4. Insulation.
5. Finishing.

The floor is constructed and the ceiling is installed once the work is finished. The basement of the basement then has the windows installed. Let us examine the characteristics of the primary phases.

Laying and pouring the foundation of the basement

The following is the sequence in which the foundation is laid and the concrete is completed:

1. Mark the contour.
2. Remove the soil and prepare a pit.
3. Pour a layer of sand and crushed stone, compact it.
4. Pour concrete in a 5 cm layer.
5. Assemble the panel formwork.
6. Waterproof the inner surface.
7. Assemble the reinforcement frame, install it in the formwork.
8. Prepare the concrete solution, perform concreting.
9. Tamp the concrete mass, plan its surface.

The basement walls can be built or formed by pouring concrete into the formwork once it has dried. It’s crucial to leave space for windows and doors when doing the work.

Waterproofing protection and insulation of the basement floor

By waterproofing, moisture is kept away from the base. The most popular and affordable materials for protection against waterproofing are:

• Roll roofing felt: it is installed on mastic in two layers;
• Cement screed: it is prepared with the addition of liquid glass.

There are other options available, the use of which is contingent upon financial resources.

The following construction supplies are used to create thermal insulation for the base:

• foam;
• polystyrene foam;
• sandwich panels.

You can ensure the base’s attractive appearance and dependable insulation by combining different types of insulation.

We clad the basement floor with our own hands

DIY cladding can be installed in two different ways:

• facing building materials are laid on the prepared base;
• a supporting frame is mounted, which serves as the basis for attaching decorative trim.

For cladding, the following materials are utilized:

• natural stone;
• ceramic tile;
• decorative plaster;
• plastic panels.

Specialty stores stock a wide range of cladding materials. The decision is based on preferences and financial capacity.

How to build a basement from blocks

It is possible to construct a basement quickly by using concrete blocks that are manufactured industrially. Method:

1. Dig a pit.
2. Plan the soil.
3. Pour a gravel-sand cushion.
4. Pour a thin layer of concrete.
5. Install a row of blocks with a crane.

With caution to seal any gaps, place the remaining rows of blocks on the cement mortar.

Because they offer additional space for a variety of uses, basements are a useful and adaptable addition to any house. Homeowners can use them for workspaces, storage, or even living quarters, providing them with versatility and usefulness. A basement can greatly increase a property’s use and value if it is built and maintained properly.

From excavation to waterproofing, there are several important phases in the building of a basement. It is essential to make sure the basement is well-constructed and moisture-free to avoid problems like mold and structural damage. Sturdy and dry basements are now easier to construct with the use of contemporary building methods and materials, making them a dependable component of new home construction.

The capacity of basements to add extra living space without increasing the footprint of the house is one of its main benefits. This is especially helpful in cities where there is a shortage of land. A basement can accommodate a range of needs and lifestyles, whether it is utilized as a home office, guest suite, or family room.

In conclusion, a basement is a useful addition that can raise the functionality and market value of a house. When built and maintained properly, it can be a multipurpose area that meets the needs of homeowners in a variety of ways. Putting money into a well-constructed basement can pay off in the long run and raise your standard of living in general.

A building’s basement is the area beneath the ground floor and is frequently used for extra living space, utility rooms, or storage. Sturdy concrete walls and floors are used in its construction to offer structural support and offer protection from moisture and soil pressure. Depending on the needs of the homeowner, basements can be finished or left unfinished and provide useful additional space. Basements are adaptable and useful spaces in a house, whether they are used as a workshop, a comfortable family room, or just a place to store seasonal goods.

Video on the topic

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