It has to do with the “frost line”. In cold climates, the ground will freeze in the winter time down to 6 feet deep, and when it does freeze, you get “frost heave” because icy soil is bigger than wet unfrozen soil. So you have to dig your foundation below the frost line, so you might as well build a basement.
Is basement good in Canada?
If you’re looking for a spacious first home or moving to Canada with your family, basement apartments may be a good choice. Full basements are almost as big as the home built above them and are much larger than apartments or condos you’ll get for the same price.
What is the purpose of basement in house?
What can Basements be used for? According to the regulations of the National Building Code or building by-laws, a basement can be used only as a storage, dark room, bank cellar, parking space or to keep equipment requiring constant air conditioning.
Why do North American houses have basements?
In areas with colder climates, such as the Northern states, the frost line tends to be at least four feet beneath the ground. It is also commonplace for houses in colder areas to have central heating systems, and a basement serves as an excellent storage space in this regard.
Why do houses in cold climates have basements?
Building foundations need to be below the frost line to avoid freezing and cracking in pipes. In cooler climates, the frost line is several feet below the surface, which is why many Northern homes have basements. It’s simply more practical to install a basement if the foundation is already this deep to begin with.
What is disadvantage of basement?
Damp and Moisture Concerns
However, since basements generally have no windows and extremely limited access to the outdoors, sunlight cannot reach the interior areas, and you might face damp walls, especially if poor construction materials have been used.
What are the disadvantages of having a basement?
3 Basement Cons
- Maintenance Required. Given that they are underground, basements need a lot of work for usability.
- Lighting Takes Effort. Lighting will always be a bit of a hassle, even with a daylit basement.
- Increased Humidity. Basements are prone to humidity.
Is it better to have a basement or not?
You can have a fully functional and structurally sound house with and without a basement. However, unless you live in an area with sandy or clay soil or where the water table is high, there is no reason why you should not have a basement.
Why do UK houses not have basements?
In the United Kingdom, almost all new homes built since the 1960s have no cellar or basement due to the extra cost of digging down further into the sub-soil and a requirement for much deeper foundations and waterproof tanking.
Is basement allowed in India?
The National Building Code regulations say that a basement can only be used for commercial purposes, or storage, parking, cellar, a dark room or even space where machinery such as air conditioning can be installed legally. However, despite this rule, many may opt to rent out this space for the residential purpose.
Why is it not good to live in basement?
Hazards commonly found in basements include toxic chemicals, pests, mold, indoor air quality issues (such as dangerous gases) and fire hazards that can affect all rooms of the home.
Why dont basements exist in Australia?
Pindan Homes Construction Manager Adrian Schneeberger said the main reason Australians had never built basements was they put a big hole in the budget. “Building a basement incurs greater costs as opposed to building on a flat concrete pad or on stilts,” he said.
What is a basement called in England?
Amongst the estate agents and property professionals in the UK, the term ‘cellar‘ is often used to describe residential projects while the term ‘basement’ is used to describe new build and commercial projects alike. A cellar is often a smaller space than a basement.
Why do Canadian homes have cold rooms?
These basement rooms were designed for storing food and preserves, so they’re not insulated. Often they have a vent to the outside to allow cool air in and ventilate the space. Cold rooms provide an energy-efficient way to preserve food.
Will a basement stay warm in winter?
A basement is naturally insulated by the earth that surrounds it—keeping it cool in summer and relatively warm in winter. But this natural insulation isn’t enough to make basements truly comfortable from late fall through the start of summer, especially in northern climates.
Can a cold basement make you sick?
“Basements are often damp, and moisture and mold go hand-in-hand,” says Robert Weitz, a certified microbial investigator and founder of RTK Environmental. “Mold and poor indoor air quality have been known to trigger allergies that cause coughs and headaches, as well as irritations to the nose, skin, and eyes.
What is the benefit of having a basement?
With this extra space, you can create an organized storage area where all of your precious items are easily located and accessed. Additionally, it is also a perfect place to store backup food storage and other canned goods that can become cluttered if kept in your normal living space.
Do all basements have problems?
All basements are subject to the same problems because of their location: at or below ground level and below the water table. These issues range from a minor nuisance to a catastrophic problem that can practically ruin your home’s value. 10. Humidity – Even if water isn’t a problem in your basement, humidity can be.
Is it worth living in a basement?
Pros and Cons of Basement Living
They are often cheaper than most other types of apartments. It can be easier to approve certain renovations that might otherwise be rejected if you lived in an above-ground unit. They are darker during sleeping hours, which can be great for those who need it to be pitch black to rest.
Is it OK to have a bedroom in the basement?
In short, yes. You can use your basement as a bedroom, but you have to ensure that it complies with the proper building codes. Basement living spaces require an emergency exit and rescue openings, also known as an egress code.
What is the rule for basement?
According to the National Building Code regulations or building by-laws, a basement can be used only for the purpose of storage, dark room, bank cellar, or parking space. Kitchens, bathrooms and toilets are also not allowed in a basement, unless the sewer levels permit the same.