All you Need to Know About Crawl Spaces and Full Basements

Regardless of whether you're building a new home or renovating an existing one, the decision to build a full basement or a crawl space will depend on several factors. Some of these factors include the cost of construction, the ability to add rooms, insulation, and the availability of termite protection.

Insulation helps control the temperature

Keeping the temperature in crawl spaces and full basements under control is important to keeping your house comfortable. Insulation helps control the temperature by slowing down the flow of heat from your home in the winter and cooling it in the summer. The more insulation you add, the better your home will stay comfortable and the less you will have to pay to heat and cool it.

The most important thing to remember when insulating your basement or crawl space is to make sure you have a good moisture barrier. A moisture barrier helps prevent moisture from rotting wood and mold from growing. There are many different types of moisture barriers that are available.

Fiberglass batts are the most common type of insulation. They are easy to install and inexpensive. You can place them under the floor and against the underside of the floor joists. Chicken wire or a breathable building wrap can be used to hold them in place.

Termite protection

Termite protection in a crawl space or a full basement requires attention to detail. It's not enough to just take care of the obvious signs. You need to protect the wood and soil around the structure.

You need to create an under-slab physical termite barrier. This keeps subterranean termites in the soil. The soil should be treated with termiticide. This treatment is usually applied with a small hand-pump sprayer.

Termites like moist environments. This is why you need to make sure your home has proper ventilation. It's also important to make sure the downspouts are directed away from your home. This will keep excess water from pooling.

Make sure there is a 12-inch gap around your home. This will help prevent other pests from getting in.

Cost

Compared to a basement, the cost of a crawl space can be less. These spaces provide storage space, utility space and access to the main utilities of a home. However, it is important to note that some are unheated and don't have windows.

Full concrete basements are often also more challenging to repair when damaged. Not making repairs to the concrete can have horrible results

While they are less expensive, a basement is a more comprehensive investment. Adding a basement can create extra storage space, a home gym, a home theater and even living space. It can also increase the value of your home when it comes time to sell.

Crawl spaces are cheaper to build than basements, but they are prone to mold and moisture problems. To mitigate these issues, a crawl space needs to be well-constructed with moisture resistant materials. It can also be enclosed and heated to keep the space dry.

Add a room to the crawl space

Adding a room to the crawl space in a full basement can be a major decision. It requires a lot of planning and knowledge. It is also a fairly costly project. It can cost anywhere from $20 to $70.000 depending on the size of the room.

When you are planning for the project, you will have to consult a structural engineer or foundation contractor. They will need to see your preexisting plans and take detailed measurements. They will also need to check your soil type.

You will also need to plan for permits. Your local city or municipality will need to be notified. This will help you to keep costs down. It is also a good idea to have your contractor inspected before starting the project.

When converting the crawl space to a basement, you will need to invest in heavy equipment and manpower. This project should be done by an experienced contractor. You should also have a structural engineer draw plans.

Create a bar in the basement

Whether you're looking to remodel your basement or you just want to add some pizzazz to your home, creating a bar in your basement could be a good idea. A basement bar is not just a place for entertaining guests, but it can also save you money in the long run.

There are several options to choose from when designing a basement bar. In fact, you have more choices than you would think. You can choose from a traditional bar set up or a more modern one. In fact, you could even build a pool table into your bar, if you're into that sort of thing.

You could also build a small refrigerator into your bar. This is perfect for storing ice if you're planning on a party, but it can also be used to store beverages beyond beer.