House Foundation Types, Uses, and Pros and Cons

Full or Daylight Basement Foundation

A basement foundation is the deepest of the major foundation types. A full basement matches most or all of the floor space of the level above, and it is generally at least 7 feet high. Newer homes typically have taller basements to facilitate conversion into living space. 

The average cost of a basement foundation is $34,250. This makes a basement foundation the most expensive: about four times more expensive than a concrete slab foundation.

The chief advantage of a basement is the extra space it provides for storage or living. In some homes, finishing a basement can nearly double the amount of living space. 

Also, a basement can be conditioned (meaning that it is heated or cooled) like the rest of the house. A conditioned basement provides a buffer for upper floors, making them easier to heat or cool.

Full Basements

A full basement matches the perimeter of the house above. So, if the house's ground floor is 800 square feet, the entire basement's square footage is also 800 square feet—more or less.

A full basement consists of structural foundation walls that bear on foundation footings running along the perimeter of the basement. Footings usually extend below the frost line, the depth to which the ground freezes in winter. 

The average cost to remodel a basement is $25,000. Remodeling a basement means, at a minimum, installing a dry subfloor, moisture-tolerant flooring, insulated walls, and a ceiling.

A full basement with a ceiling 7 feet high or higher is a valuable asset to a home. It can be converted into habitable living space or turned into a home gym, children's play area, home theater, or just left for storage.

Daylight Basements

One variation of the entire basement is the daylight basement, sometimes called a partial basement. Built against a slope, the daylight basement has one or more sides wholly embedded in the ground, from floor to ceiling. However, as the slope descends, one or more sides of the foundation are exposed and can have large windows and doors to bring in daylight. 

Daylight basements are often more practical for conversion into living space than full basements. They offer the possibility of adding a separate entrance, a necessity if you plan to rent out the space. Daylight basements avoid many of the unpleasant aspects of basement living due to the increased natural light and air. Mold and mildew are easier to manage in daylight than in full basements.

Pros

• Living space possibility

• Increased storage room

• Can be conditioned

Cons

• Greater maintenance

• Often water problems

• Most expensive foundation