Kinds of House Basements

Walk-Out Basement

• A walk-out basement is characterized by an entrance accessible from the outside of the home. This type of above-ground basement allows natural light to enter and is often converted to living or rental space. However, since walk-out basements allow outside access into the home, they may be a security risk if not properly locked. Walk-out basements are especially well-suited for homes built on a slope.

Below-Ground Basements

• Below-ground basements are mainly below road-level, with the possible exception of a few small exposed windows. Underground basements tend to be cooler than their above-ground counterparts, but may not see as much natural light. Since these types of basements are dug into the ground, they may be susceptible to leaks and flooding.

Concrete Basements

• There are two types of concrete basements: poured concrete and concrete slab. Poured concrete basements are built by digging a hole and pouring concrete into it to create the structure. When pieces of prefabricated concrete are used to build the structure, it is called a concrete-slab basement. Underground basements are often built using the poured concrete method while walk-out basements are usually constructed using concrete slabs.

Floating Basement

• Traditional concrete basements may not be appropriate for areas where the ground is unstable or contains high amounts of clay, as they can shift and become unstable. In these instances, most builders opt for floating basements. The walls of this type of basement are attached to joints beneath the first floor of the house instead of the basement floor. This will allow the basement to adjust to shifting ground without cracking or sinking.