Wooden basement or concrete?
Question:We are planning a new home and are in the process of deciding between a wooden basement and a concrete one. We are in a fairly dry area, and feel that a wooden basement would work OK, but are there any contractors out there who have a definite opinion?
Answers:
in my 36 years years as a mason , i have never heard anyone say im a carpenter and i build basements...10 inch block is the way to go. easier to fix than a concrete one if a crack should develop...either way go with masonry...
go concrete that is the foundation to your house and you are thinking of using wood? no way concrete!
If you want termites or want to replace the basement every three years from dry rot , go with wood.
I would NEVER use wood. Concrete is such a safe way to go. Good luck with whatever you choose.
ask some qualified builders in your area. if the conditions are right I would go with the wood.cheaper to use, and you will get better insulation value. make sure there is proper drainage around the foundation, and consider adding a 2inch thick foam insulation to the exterior of the foundation
My brother in law and husband & I both built homes at the same time. He put in a wooden basement ,us a poured cement. Our house uses alot less energy to heat and cool. Don't know if this is why or not but is seems to be a factor , also his house has settled alot more than ours has. We have very sandy soil and have very cold winters.Hope this helps. It also wasn't any cheaper in the long run for him to install the wooden basement.
Whatever goes below the ground must be done in a concrete. On top of the concrete you can put different finishes, like engineered hardwood, tile or carpet
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