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Hi all – I'd really like a basement in the new build. Never had one before, and I'm hearing that the latest building codes (IRC?) require basements to have an exit window, which implies that part of the basement must be above grade. Relatedly, a lot of the basement and crawl space implementations I see in the US have the main level of the house propped up a couple of feet above grade.
For accessibility reasons, I want the main level of the house to be at grade level, just like a slab on grade house. I don't want any stair steps to be necessary to access the main level, the porch, the front door, etc.
Is it possible to have a basement without propping up the house? i.e. to have a fully below-grade basement? Would it just be a matter of scooping out an area outside of the escape windows? For me, a basement that extends up beyond grade level undermines the whole point of having a basement.
If I were to do something along those lines, I would give serious consideration to turning the exit window into French doors that opened onto an small (12' x12'?) double glazed atrium (read: underground greenhouse) on the south side of the house, with stairs in it leading up to a door just above grade level.
Basements suffer from dark, and this would significantly increase the light. Having plants in the atrium that is below grade but passively solar heated takes away from that lack of greenery and a view. A small water feature in the atrium could make it even more pleasant. During the summer, opening screened vents at the top would release the heat buildup.
To make enough light available for winter plants, the wall of the atrium on the house would probably need to be white or even mirrored, to reflect the low angle sun down onto the plants.
Hi all – I'd really like a basement in the new build. Never had one before, and I'm hearing that the latest building codes (IRC?) require basements to have an exit window, which implies that part of the basement must be above grade. Relatedly, a lot of the basement and crawl space implementations I see in the US have the main level of the house propped up a couple of feet above grade.
For accessibility reasons, I want the main level of the house to be at grade level, just like a slab on grade house. I don't want any stair steps to be necessary to access the main level, the porch, the front door, etc.
Is it possible to have a basement without propping up the house? i.e. to have a fully below-grade basement? Would it just be a matter of scooping out an area outside of the escape windows? For me, a basement that extends up beyond grade level undermines the whole point of having a basement.
Thanks.
What’s the point?
If you want a basement- build a house with a basement. If you want a basement that’s “habitable”, then it has to have at least emergency egress. If you want that “habitable” space w/o the need of emergency egress- put the space above the regular living spaces.
And if stairs and steps aren’t your thing- have an elevator.
What’s the point?
If you want a basement- build a house with a basement. If you want a basement that’s “habitable”, then it has to have at least emergency egress. If you want that “habitable” space w/o the need of emergency egress- put the space above the regular living spaces.
And if stairs and steps aren’t your thing- have an elevator.
The point is to have a basement fully below grade. Whether it's habitable or not, I want it below grade. It looks like some sort of scooping around an exit is required.
Our 1950s house has one that's original to the house.
Oh, that's where the thieves break in.
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