Three Types Of Basement Construction

Basement's have been used for generations. The general public, or those who have never had a home with a basement, think of the underground room as the place to go during bad weather. Certain television shows have promoted this idea. However, at one time basement's were considered to be residential bomb shelter's during war- time. As time progressed basement's became used for many reasons, not just refuge from drastic weather or war.

Unless a person is involved in construction, it is likely that he or she will believe all basement's are the same. This is a common mistake. There are actually a variety of methods used when creating a basement. Some of the more common ways include the masonry method, the concrete method, and the precast panel method. Basement foundation construction, like all building construction, makes use of mathematics and heavy-duty equipment to complete the project.

A basic concrete basement is the most common type of below-ground construction. The foundation is formed first, followed by laying in wet cement or concrete. Once the floor has dried, the walls are made. Pre-fabricated forms are often used when making walls to keep the concrete in place as it dries. Unlike other materials used to make walls, concrete is very durable requiring little repair work over the years.

In any project the budget is a concern. Using the masonry wall method is one of the most affordable options available. This option makes use of cinder blocks, the square blocks of cement with hollowed centers. These blocks can be positioned exactly where they are needed without waiting for cement to dry, as in the poured concrete method. If reinforcement is needed, this can be done with steel or by adding additional cement.

The third method of basement construction uses precast panels. This is very similar to the first method, the poured concrete method. The main difference between the two is that the precast panels, or walls, are made at another location and transported to the construction site. The initial formation is the same. Bringing in precast walls can be costly as extra equipment is needed to properly place the walls in the basement.

Contractors that make use of any one of the above ways can create a safe, structurally sound underground space. Regardless of the method used, when the basement is complete it can be used for a variety of needs. Sometimes basements are made into living spaces with furniture, and in other cases they are used strictly for storage. No matter what the space is used for, knowledgable contractors are key to building basements that match the original drafted plan.

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