NewsBasements are common in houses throughout the United States, serving as an extra storage space, a living area, or a shelter during storms. However, it is not an unusual feature to see that a vast majority of houses built on the west coast of the country, as well as many in the southern United States, don’t have basements at all. The question arises, why would anyone want to give up such a useful space in their home? After researching, we found that there are distinct reasons why basements are a rarity in these areas of the country. In this article, we will explore why homes situated in the Pacific Northwest do not have basements, why the southern homes lack this feature, and what affects the presence or absence of a basement in the homes on the east coast. We will also delve deeper into some of the distinct factors contributing to this architectural design, such as the frost-line, building culture, soil type, and climate conditions influencing the absence of basements in homes across the different regions of the United States.
Homes on the West Coast don’t have basements due to the frost-line
If you’re considering buying a home on the West Coast, make sure you know that most houses don’t feature the common basement that you might be accustomed to in other parts of the country. If you’re wondering why this is the case, the answer is due to the frost-line.
The frost-line is the depth at which the ground can freeze during the winter. This can cause issues with the foundation of a home that is built too low compared to the frost-line. Individual homes must be constructed below the frost line to avoid issues caused by freezing and thawing, and thus requiring a special highly-insulated foundation called a ‘frost protected shallow foundation’ or FPSF. However, because the frost-line in much of California is so shallow, often no more than a few inches, especially in coastal areas, homes built in the Pacific Northwest were often built on slab-on-grade foundations, which lack basements.
Basements are great for storage and can be converted into additional living space, but with land values high and zoning laws and earthquake codes taking precedence, architects and builders have chosen to take a more practical approach to building without basements. Homeowners in this region also compensate for the lack of a basement with outdoor storage sheds or mudrooms to store items such as garden tools and other outdoor equipment. While it may be difficult to wrap your head around the idea of a home without a basement, it is important to understand the practices and reasoning of building homes in different regions, specifically on the West Coast.
Majority of homes in the south were never built with basements
If you’re from the South, you might notice that basements are not as common in home construction as they are in other parts of the country. Outside storage sheds and attic spaces have become the norm over basements. You might be wondering why.
There are several reasons for this trend, but mainly due to the difference in geology and climate. The South typically has a higher water table than other regions due to its subtropical climate, which makes it easier for water to move through soil. This leads to high groundwater levels that can cause issues in basements, increasing the likelihood of basement flooding and decay of the foundation. The clay-rich soil, that is commonly found in the south, also shifts with moisture making it difficult to maintain a stable foundation.
Furthermore, Southern architecture tends to prioritize outdoor living spaces, such as patios, porches, and carports giving homeowners alternative storage and living spaces. The construction of basements can also be more expensive in the South due to the high water table making it harder to build a basement that is waterproof.
While a basement might seem like an essential feature to some homebuyers, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to the lack of basements in Southern homes. The combination of building culture, climate, and soil type has led to different construction trends throughout the country, making each region of the US unique in its architecture.
The east coast has a mix of homes with and without basements
When it comes to basements, houses on the East Coast are more varied than those in other regions of the country. While many older homes along the East Coast feature full basements, new-build homes have started opting for different types of foundations, resulting in a mix of homes with and without basements.
One primary reason why there’s a mix of homes with and without basements is due to the differences in building codes established in each state. While some states still allow the construction of basements, others prohibit them due to high water tables, the presence of radon, and potential flooding.
Another factor to consider is the age of the home. Older homes built before the 1970s were more likely to have basements because building codes were not as stringent as they are today. In contrast, newer homes are more likely to lack basements as they adhere to current building standards.
Despite the lack of basements, many homes on the East Coast have crawl spaces, which are raised foundations that offer similar benefits to basements, such as extra storage space or access to pipes and wires. While basements and crawl spaces serve similar purposes, constructing the latter is a more natural fit in low areas with high water tables.
In conclusion, the East Coast is a mixed bag when it comes to homes with or without basements, with the presence or absence of this feature largely depending on the region and the home’s age. As homeowners in this region prioritize outdoor activities, crawl spaces, and attics have become a common solution for storage, while also identifying new ways to utilize the space beneath their homes.
Factors affecting the absence of basements in southern homes
The absence of basements in southern homes is a topic that has piqued the curiosity of many. While many parts of the country have a higher number of homes with basements, it is rare to come across basements in southern homes. An array of factors contributes to the lack of basements in homes within this region.
The majority of southern states like Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi sit on layers of sedimentary rock, which are prone to sinkholes. Additionally, with high levels of rainfall, underground water courses tend to be unstable, making it difficult for builders to fortify a foundation that could support a basement. Furthermore, the humid subtropical climate in this region with its higher humidity levels creates a damp environment that contributes to mold and mildew growth. Therefore, homes with basements would require special measures to manage these environmental factors.
Other factors to consider include the high cost of adding a basement onto a home, building codes in the area, and building culture as many southerners favor outdoor living spaces more than indoor ones. Homeowners in this region can compensate for the lack of basements by constructing storage spaces in their backyards or sheds, which can also function as workshops or studios. Some southern homes are even built on pilings or stilts, which elevate the structure from the ground up, providing homeowners with extra space, ventilation, and easy access to environmental features such as breezes, water views.
In summary, the lack of basements in southern homes is due to a combination of factors, including unstable soil, building codes, and cultural preference for outdoor living spaces. Nevertheless, homeowners have adapted to this trend by using alternative storage solutions that meet their needs while still appreciating the environmental factors of their region.
