What is a "Basement" foundation?

Basements are not just for hanging out, they can be the heart of the house.

Basements are typically used in areas where freeze lines exist. For this and other purposes, the basement foundation is typically built stronger and better reinforced than a typical shallow foundation like a concrete slab-on-grade. Basements are not a good idea where the water table has the potential to rise or substantial excavation obstructions like rock exist. If you are considering using a basement with your new construction project, consider a full-height foundation of eight feet high. This will provide the necessary height requirements for building in the basement for living space and optimizing your investment. 

Like slab foundations, gravel is generally placed below the poured floor for drainage control. Walls have been traditionally built of brick or block construction but modern methods include insulated concrete forms, and reinforced concrete. Floors of a basement are simply a slab-on-grade foundation with a water proofing system as part of the design. Most basements can be damage by water intrusion so waterproofing is essential for this type of foundation system. Basements are typically not used as sleeping rooms unless adequate emergency egress windows are installed to provide emergence egress and natural lighting.

Basements are typically used to contain important systems like HVAC, heating oil tanks, other utility, storage and even parking.  There are different types of basements including the walkout or daylight basement, lookout, walk-up and cellar styles.

Walkout basements are typically situated on sloping lots to take advantage of the area under the house.  A doorway is usually located on the higher part of the basement for walk in access.  These types of basements are also called "daylight basements" since there are usually windows on the descending parts of the sloping lot to allow light to enter the area.  With a daylight basement, emergency egress can be accomplished by the location of escape windows and doors so rooms can be used as living and sleeping areas.  The big advantage of a daylight or walkout basement is the opportunity to use the additional living space as appraised square footage increasing the value of the home.

Lookout basements are those basements partial underground with windows near the top part of the walls.  These basements can not be use as sleeping areas safely so they do not have all the advantages of a walkout or daylight basement.

Walk-up basements are generally below grade and are walked down into via a stairwell.  There are generally no windows or the windows are partially accessible making use of this space less appropriate for habitation.

Cellars are likely the original form of a basement.  For a cellar to be effective, it must be cool all year round and not get close to freezing.   Wine and some foods will store well in cellars for some time.  They also second as a shelter for storms and in times of war safety from air raids.

The critical factor for all basement construction is making sure the floor is below the freeze line.  Freezing soils will expand causing excessive pressures that will push the house up causing potential damage.  Walls are typically only seven foot and ten inches high unstead of the typical eight foot of most living space walls.


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