Why Ranch basement is twice as big as Colonial basement (house, neighborhood)

[mountainpoint]

Someone told me this fact; Is there any theory behind this fact?

[nuts2uiam]

No theory at all simply fact. A colonial is generally living area down and bedrooms upstairs. In a ranch the entire downstairs is what is in a colonial homes' two floors. i.e. the footprint is larger therefore the basement is larger.

[Interlude]

Ranches can, but don't necessarily, have a larger footprint/foundation ergo larger basement.

[dcasty]

larger footprint.

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by Interlude

Ranches can, but don't necessarily, have a larger footprint/foundation ergo larger basement.

In my former neighborhood the colonials had three floors and were considerably smaller footprint wise than any ranch I have seen.

[ClarkStreetKid]

So are you saying it depends on the area of the ground floor of the house?

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by ClarkStreetKid

So are you saying it depends on the area of the ground floor of the house?

Yes and no. Some homes are built with only 1/2 basements so in that case the answer is no. My home is a ranch of 2300 square feet and my basement is the full footprint of tbe house. If the house is built with a full basement it generally is the footprint of the house. My inlaws had a Tudor home and only had a 1/2 basement and the ceilings were very low.

[mountainpoint]

Originally Posted by nuts2uiam

My home is a ranch of 2300 square feet and my basement is the full footprint of the house. I

Is it a common rule that Ranch basement share the same footprint as main level?

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by mountainpoint

Is it a common rule that Ranch basement share the same footprint as main level?

That is why I said generally but in my experience yes. That said it does not have to be "finished". A builder or home engineer could better answer your question for certain.

[just_sayin']

If comparing apples to apples ( a 2000 sq ft ranch vs a 2000 sq ft colonial, where the basement is the full footprint of the house) it's simple as others have said....the ranch has 2000 sq ft footprint thus, a larger foundation is needed. The Colonial is probably 1000-1200 down and 800-1000 up; thus the foundation would only need to be 1000-1200 sq ft; making for a smaller basement.