Basement construction can be done using poured concrete, precast panels, or masonry walls, depending on the structure and soil conditions. Basements serve as supplemental foundation materials and must be durable to carry the weight of the structure. Poured concrete is the most commonly used method, while precast panels require a crane for installation and masonry walls are the least expensive. After construction, some contractors bury the basement underground.
Generally speaking, there are three main types of basement construction, namely poured concrete, precast panel, and masonry walls. The three are similar and sometimes interchangeable, but a lot depends on the type of structure in question. Local area and soil composition may also be factored into the decision. Areas with a lot of rain or notoriously rocky, airy soil may not be suitable for certain methods such as drier, sandier soil. Sometimes local codes and building codes specify which type should be used, but in many cases this is a decision left to the contractor or project manager individually. Researching the different options is often the best way for people in these positions to make the best choice.
Basement foundations
Basements are vital fixtures that help give homes and other buildings added punch, while also usually making use of available storage space. It is almost always the case that basements should be built before the structure above them, or at least at the same time. Most are basically rooms buried at foundation level, and as such can be difficult to install once the foundation is already in place and in use.
Regardless of the specific type of construction, nearly all basements do structural work specific to the building as a whole. Their walls serve as additional and supplemental foundation materials and their ceilings serve as the ground floor for the structure. As such, they must be built to be durable and to carry the weight of the structure as a whole, or at least to help distribute that weight evenly. In most cases the floor is directly above the ground, although in places where soil drainage is a serious problem the basement may contain a drainage system, often sloping or using stilts, which can carry water away from the foundation and in a kind of runoff system.
Poured concrete
A poured concrete basement tends to be the most often used choice. The basement contractor can begin by pouring footing for the basement foundation. After this has set, the forms can be used to hold the poured concrete walls in place while they dry. It may be necessary to oil the inside of the forms before pouring the concrete to prevent the form from sticking. Poured concrete walls tend to be stronger and often require fewer repairs as the house ages.
Prefabricated panels
Precast basement panel can be created in much the same way as poured concrete. In this method, the basement walls are typically modeled in a location other than the construction site, such as a construction studio or off-site concrete work. The walls can then be transported to the building location and placed on the footer. While the integrity of the walls may be similar to the poured concrete wall, a crane is almost always required to place the walls on the footer, if for no other reason than their weight and size. The cost of such important equipment, even if just rented, can add to the total cost of basement construction, although better wall workmanship and the additional time to check for defects before installation can improve overall quality.
Masonry walls
Creating a basement using the masonry wall method can be one of the least expensive options. These walls are often made of concrete masonry units (CMUs), also called cinder blocks. The large size and hollow interior of the cinder block can reduce construction time. To increase durability, the basement contractor can reinforce this material with steel rods and concrete. The hollow interiors of the cinder block allow the contractor to pour the concrete in the center, which is more efficient – both time and money – than pouring slabs from scratch.
Fundamental considerations
After construction is complete, some contractors bury the basement underground. To achieve this, the basement system can be started within a hole dug before the foundation is built. Once basement construction is complete, soil can be replaced around the foundation walls and construction can continue on the rest of the building. The basement contractor may choose to waterproof or protect the foundation in some way before burying it, although much depends on the location and soil conditions.
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