basements - info please

We are looking at plans for a house and need some feedback on building with a basement foundation - is it realistic to expect to keep one of these things dry, well ventilated, etc.?? And are windows (depending on design) a better idea than no windows at all? what would be going down there, for starters, is a pool table, and maybe a music room, and some storage. Any feedback about basements would be really appreciated...cheers, Patricia.

 

Yes it is realistic to keep a basement dry and ventilated.

Yes, you do want windows. In fact, go one step further and make sure at least one window meets the basement bedroom egress requirements. Yes, I know you don't plan on a bedroom there but you do want it to be an active area.

At one point, you (or someone) will finish this and perhaps put a bedroom there.

No matter - keep safety in mind. What if your kids are playing pool and a fire breaks out by the steps. How will they get out? It has happened before and will happen again.

 

You will need to check in with the local authorities regarding building codes, permits, and inspections. These tend to vary from area to area.

 

Hi and thanks to both of you for your comments - a lot of thought has been going into basements with windows, etc., but never did an escape route for an emergency come up (!). I am assuming you are talking about something like a "scapewel" or an egress window based on an existing, smaller window. Most of the discussion has gone around proper drainage and dehumidication and now that you mention it - an alternate escape route is an excellent Idea. Cheers, Patricia.

 

Be sure and have a perimeter drain around the footer. Also, plenty of steel in the walls. Most of all apply a heavy coat of the latest outside basement wall sealer. The wall will probably have minor cracks anyway, but the newer type coating will stretch. Unless you are on flat land, a walk out door is convenient. Otherwise, a door and steps up to ground level. And one more very important thing , which is in the State building code here, top of basement wall at least 4 inches above ground level. Then slope fill dirt away from basement. Hope that helps.

 

This is what I just did in my finished basement. From beginning to end.

-Three coats of masonry sealer on the concrete walls and floor
-6 mil poly on the walls then,
-R13 fiberglass insulation between 2x4 wood studs (PT on the floor)
-Gypsum wallboard on the wall with plywood bead board wainscoting below it.
-Wallboard ceiling verses drop ceiling to give it a more upstairs look and feel
-Pad and carpet
-Sump pump
-DEHUMIDIFIER on ever night mid spring to early fall (non-heating season)

The dehumidifier really gives it a comfortable feel without the musty smell or "feel" of most basements.

Good luck.

 

You will find the following sites very informative:

http://www.resercon.com/

http://www.doityourself.com/basement/

"Where humidity is not a problem, the vapor barrier is installed on the warm side of the wall. During the winter, water vapor is blocked from penetrating the insulation and condensing on a cold outside surface.
Where humidity is high in the summer and air conditioning is used, a vapor barrier is recommended on both sides of the exterior wall. During the winter, the interior vapor barrier prevents water vapor from penetrating the insulation and condensing on a cold surface. During the summer, the exterior vapor barrier can prevent water vapor from penetrating the insulation from the outside and condensing on a cold air conditioned surface on the inside of the wall....Check with your local building code department to see which is better for your area." Frechette, L. A. Vapor Barriers. asktooltalk.com. Retrieved 28 May 2002. http://www.toolreviews.net/home/qand...orbarriers.htm