Are you a homeowner? You or your family require more space? A family that is growing can suddenly need more space. This predicament can present its own problems. You may be comfortable in your home or neighborhood and not want to move. You may lose a beautiful backyard garden or a place where your children can play if you try to expand. The additional construction could also conflict with local zoning regulations. It is expensive to build up – learn more?
Expanding your basement is one way to satisfy your space requirements. Most basements, especially those in older homes, were never intended to be habitable. The basements are very low and only serve to support the skeletal structure of the home.
Most basements are crawlspaces. To increase the size of your basement, you will need to change the foundation structure. You can lower the basement floor in two ways. There are two methods: underpinning and benching. Both methods require structural modifications to the walls and footings of your foundation. You will gain valuable living space and waterproof your basement in return. The method you use will be determined by your budget, how much renovation you wish to do and the new space that you desire.
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Benching
Benching is cheaper than underpinning. Benching is cheaper than underpinning because you don’t have to dig beneath the existing footings. The soil or existing footings will not be touched. This method involves pouring the new foundation into the existing foundation as deep as the new depth of the basement. The second wall is created by this process. This creates an ledge equal to the height of the basement. It also reduces the area of the basement.
This process is known as benching. On top of the bench, you could build a wall. You could also get creative and create cupboards.
The width of the bench will be determined by how much height you would like to add in your basement. If you want to raise the height of the basement by 18″ you’ll need to increase the bench width by 18″.
Underpinning
Benching is cheaper than underpinning. Underpinning is more expensive than benching. You do not need to construct a bench wall. It takes a lot of skill to do underpinning and only experienced and seasoned contractors should attempt it.
Excavating and pouring the concrete up to the depth required for the new basement is called underpinning. This is done in sections to ensure that the foundation can support its load. This process is done very slowly and with great care. It is because you temporarily compromise the foundation integrity by lowering the basement.
There are many benefits to underpinning. You gain square footage in your basement, but you don’t lose headroom. You can also forget about any concerns you had regarding the foundation of your home.
Please Note – despite its many advantages, it is a costly engineering solution.
We are experienced contractors in Cumming who have completed many basement conversions. We understand how difficult it can be for homeowners to decide what to do with their basement. A skilled contractor will not only make remodeling easier, but can also give you the basement that you want at a reasonable price.