Which type of house is better...over all

[TheSiege]

i more or less see the pro and cons for heating, but overall which would be better? cheaper to build, all things being equal. Ideas? thoughts? opinions?

 

[jlee]

What're you doing if you don't have a basement, just a slab? Do you need frost walls? Completely finished basement, partially finished basement..?

 

[FoBoT]

ours is main floor and 3/4 finished walk out basement
we love it

 

[Cristatus]

I have no idea what area you live in, but I have one word for you: flooding.

If that is an issue in the area, you definitely don't want the basement option. OTOH, during the summer months, the basement tends to stay cooler as well.

 

[TheSiege]

well fully finished basement as opposed to fully finished upper level

 

[BEL6772]

Houses with two stories above ground are cheaper to build. Excavating a basement is expensive.

Basements seem to be more common in areas that have colder climates. Partly that is due to building codes. If it gets cold enough to freeze 'shallow' pipes, the building codes will typically require water lines to be 6 foot deep. If you're already digging a 6 foot deep hole to bring in your water line, it is easier to justify digging out the rest of the basement, since you already have excavating equipment on site.

Warmer areas seem to have fewer basements, partly because you don't need a deep hole to start with to bring your water in.

I'm sure there are other compelling reasons for the above ground / below ground arguement, but that's one I've heard from several contractors.

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: BEL6772
Houses with two stories above ground are cheaper to build. Excavating a basement is expensive.

Basements seem to be more common in areas that have colder climates. Partly that is due to building codes. If it gets cold enough to freeze 'shallow' pipes, the building codes will typically require water lines to be 6 foot deep. If you're already digging a 6 foot deep hole to bring in your water line, it is easier to justify digging out the rest of the basement, since you already have excavating equipment on site.

Warmer areas seem to have fewer basements, partly because you don't need a deep hole to start with to bring your water in.

I'm sure there are other compelling reasons for the above ground / below ground arguement, but that's one I've heard from several contractors.

just for a reference i live in utah, and the excavating thing makes sense. plus ICF will be nice in a basement

 

[spidey07]

What's better?

Ranch with finished basement. You spend most of your time in the kitchen/bed/entertainment. Why not keep them on the same level? Home theater in the basement man cave FTW. Walking up and down stairs for laundry and cleaning FTL.

Why do you think 1st floor masters are so popular? I personally wouldn't even consider a home without a basement. A ranch with a walk out basement is the best of both worlds.

-edit-
cheaper to build is 2 story with no basement. But I still won't even consider buying a house without a basement.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: BEL6772
Houses with two stories above ground are cheaper to build. Excavating a basement is expensive.

Basements seem to be more common in areas that have colder climates. Partly that is due to building codes. If it gets cold enough to freeze 'shallow' pipes, the building codes will typically require water lines to be 6 foot deep. If you're already digging a 6 foot deep hole to bring in your water line, it is easier to justify digging out the rest of the basement, since you already have excavating equipment on site.

Warmer areas seem to have fewer basements, partly because you don't need a deep hole to start with to bring your water in.

I'm sure there are other compelling reasons for the above ground / below ground arguement, but that's one I've heard from several contractors.

Well, I think there is more reasoning than that behind it.

You will generally find basements in the colder climates beacause the foundation needs to be deep enough to be below the freeze line for the area. Since you are already excavating so deep to do the foundation, making the area a basement makes more sense than refilling and compacting to have a slab floor.

 

[TheSiege]

well it looks like ill have to have a basement

 

[txrandom]

No basements in Houston.

I love basements.

 

[nightowl]

If you do go with a basement, make sure it has at least 9ft ceilings. It will give you more head room and more options (ie: theater). Also, a walk out basement is a really nice option.

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: nightowl
If you do go with a basement, make sure it has at least 9ft ceilings. It will give you more head room and more options (ie: theater). Also, a walk out basement is a really nice option.

thats funny, my uncle was just talking about how thats how he would do it, my house currently has like 7ft ceilings in my basement

 

[Auric]

With the moniker TheSiege you question the benefits of a basement?! Zombies man, zombies!

 

[BurnItDwn]

basement++

Upper level would be nice too, but basement is better as far as energy usage is concerned. Also, it's easier to soundproof a basement so that your home theater or death metal does not disturb the neighbors. It's also much less work to block out light, which is a big plus for the home theater.

That said, Flooding is a biatch ... so buyer beware

 

[Rogodin2]

Thermal mass is the most important aspect of home. A slab foundation has a high thermal mass, a raised foundation does not.

Rogo

 

[thedarkwolf]

Might want to check and see how square footage is figure in your area. May not matter much when you are living in it but when you go to sell and your 3k sq-ft house has to be listed as 1500 sq-ft because basements don't count finished or not it might. I'd rather have a 2 stories above ground. Living in a basement when you are 15 might be cool but not as an adult.

 

[nageov3t]

personally, I'd take the two stories above ground. it's nice not having your bedroom window at street level.

although... if I lived in an area prone to tornadoes, I'd probably go for the basement anyways (and if I lived in an area prone to flooding or heavy rainfall -- re: anywhere in the NE or Pac NW -- I'd go for the second floor)