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A basement is a useful place to live, work or store items, even today. Some people choose to have a fully furnished basement that functions as a bedroom, while some leave it mostly unfurnished and choose to look at it as more of an additional storage space.
Why do US homes have basements?
In cold climates most homes have foundations that begin several feet below grade, meaning below ground. So since they have to dig that far below ground anyway, many people in cold climates decide to utilize that space and put in basement foundations.”.
What are the benefits of having a basement?
5 Benefits to Having a Basement in Your New Home Extra Storage Space. Even an unfinished basement can add convenience to your daily living by increasing the amount of storage space. Added Privacy. Additional Bedrooms and Bathrooms. Increased Home Value. Recreational Space.
Is basement good for house?
Basement is a need of every house today, but according to Vastu basement should be avoided in residence because low room/space or empty space under the house is not considered auspicious. However seeing the requirement of people, basement if made in house should not be used for living or sleeping purpose.
Why doesn’t Texas have basements?
Phil Crone, executive director for the Dallas Builders Association, said basements are also not as common in Texas because the frost line — the depth below the ground where the soil does not freeze in the winter — is much shallower in Texas than up north.
What are the disadvantages of having a basement?
Disadvantages. There are also a few drawbacks. A basement is more expensive to build than a slab or crawlspace. There’s a higher likelihood of a radon issue – but it can be avoided/prevented by using radon-resistant techniques and installing an active radon mitigation system.
Is a basement better than a crawl space?
Additionally, basements have a higher clearance than crawl spaces, and are thus much better suited to be livable space in the home. Knowing the difference between crawl spaces vs. basements is helpful, but you may also be wondering about the purpose of each of these structural elements.
What are the pros and cons of a basement?
The Pros and Cons of a Basement Pro: Additional Storage Space. One of the biggest benefits of including a basement in your home plans is that doing so gives you additional storage space. Pro: Additional Living Space. Con: Moisture and Humidity Issues. Con: Higher Cost to Build.
Why are basements only up north?
Building foundations need to be below the frost line to avoid freezing and cracking in pipes. In cooler climates, the frost line is several feet below the surface, which is why many Northern homes have basements.
Is it worth building a basement?
A finished basement can increase your property’s value by 70%. While a basement does not add to the overall square footage of the house, that fact is usually beside the point for homeowners. Finished basements often function as an informal living room/family room, office, home classroom space, and guest rooms.
Is it good to have bedroom in basement?
In short, yes. You can use your basement as a bedroom, but you have to ensure that it complies with the proper building codes. Basement living spaces require an emergency exit and rescue openings, also known as an egress code.
What states don’t have basements?
These states are: Arkansas. Louisiana. Oklahoma. Texas.
Are basements illegal in Texas?
Fish, foundations have to be constructed below the surface of the ground—sometimes many feet below the surface. And since the builder of a home is going to be burrowing down anyway, why not add a basement? In Texas, there exists no such imperative.
Why are homes so cheap in Texas?
In general, houses are cheaper in Texas for two reasons. First, land is cheaper. There is so much of it, and much of it is not useful for any other reason, like growing crops. Second, wages are generally lower in Texas, resulting in lower prices in many areas.
How are houses with basements built?
A house with a basement starts with a hole about 8 feet deep. At the bottom of the hole is a concrete slab, and then concrete or cinder-block walls form the outer walls of the basement. The L-shaped piece is a steel reinforcing bar to bind the beam and the wall together.
Is it better to have a basement or slab?
When space is limited (with total footprint and height restrictions) a basement foundation may be the best option, but if space allows there is a strong case for avoiding basements altogether and choosing to build a slab-on-grade instead.
Does a crawl space mean no basement?
Simply put, a crawl space is similar to a basement but is vented to outside air. Some crawl spaces can be full-height like a basement, where others can be two feet tall or shorter so that you have to crawl around on your belly.
What is a Yankee basement?
They call it a “Yankee basement” or, well, sometimes a “root cellar,” where basically you take the interior perimeter of the foundation wall, move in about 2½, 3 feet and then dig down there. So you leave this sort of berm of soil to support the foundation that’s under the footing.
