Types of Basement Construction

A basement is a floor of a building that is entirely or partially below the ground level.  Basements are cheap ways to add square footage to a home and provide extra living space or storage room. Many types of basements are common such as daylight basements, look-out basements, walk-up basements, cellars and crawl spaces. The type you choose and your location may alter the construction of your basement.

Poured Concrete

This type of basement construction is the most common. It involves creating a structure that holds the concrete, which is then poured into the frame. Benefits of poured concrete are that it is durable, resistant to fire and weather proof. Because there are no cracks or openings in the concrete, leaking is generally not a problem. However, it is important to use the correct mix for the concrete. If the mix has too much water in it, the basement can be susceptible to wind and water pressure.

Concrete Slabs

A basement constructed out of concrete slabs uses premade materials. Concrete slabs are manufactured elsewhere and then brought to the building location. Using heavy machinery, the concrete slabs are hefted up and put into place. If conditions are not ideal to allow proper setting of concrete, this is a great solution as the concrete slabs are usually made in a controlled environment. The drawback of this type of construction, however, is the need for heavy machinery and possible third party involvement.

Floating Basements

In areas with clay soil where the ground often fluctuates, a floating basement may be the best option. Because the walls of these types of basements don’t attach to the flooring, they can help prevent instabilities that may occur if the structure were more rigid. The walls of the basement actually are suspended from the main level floor joints giving space for the ground to swell or rise.