Is a house with a basement better?
House plans with basements offer a safe haven in dangerous weather. These basements are more protected during tornadoes because they are built completely underground. Cooler temperatures. If you live in a climate where it gets very hot, you might opt for a house plan with a basement to provide a space for cooling off.
What makes a house 1 1 2 story?
A 1.5-story home has the master bedroom on the first floor, with bonus space and high ceilings in the main living area.
What style house is a 1.5 story?
A 1.5 story floor plan is designed with first-floor square footage in mind to accompany all of the primary living spaces. This story plan’s living areas are usually designed with the master bedroom, formal dining room, laundry room, and family room all being located on the main level.
What does a 2 story house consist of?
A traditional 2 story house plan presents the main living spaces (living room, kitchen, etc) on the main level, while all bedrooms reside upstairs. A more modern two story house plan features its master bedroom on the main level, while the kid/guest rooms remain upstairs.
What are the disadvantages of a basement?
Here are some of the disadvantages of adding a basement to your house or buying a house with a basement:
- Additional Construction Costs.
- Damp and Moisture Concerns.
- Dangers of Flooding.
- Inconvenient Access Routes for Furniture.
- High Noise Echo Levels.
- Risks of Pest Infestation.
- Requires Professionals for Construction.
Why you should buy a house with a basement?
Accessibility of Major Systems: Typically, basement homes give you easier access to to pipes, wires and ducts than homes on slabs or crawl spaces. Basements are an ideal location for water heaters, water pressure tanks, water softeners and furnaces as well.
Is it cheaper to build a 1.5 or 2 story house?
People typically expect a 2-story home to be more expensive than a 1-story, but that’s not always the case. A 1.5-story home is actually the most expensive.
Is a two story cheaper to build?
Per square foot, a one-story house is more costly to build than a two-story home. There is a larger footprint, meaning more foundation building and more roofing materials.
What is a 1.75 story house?
A 1.75 story is a residence with one full level of living area and a second level that is characterized by a steep roof slope and dormers (which project from the roof and have windows on their fronts). Because of the roof design, the area of the second floor is usually 80% of the ground floor area.
What is a reverse 1 1 2 story house?
A reverse is like a ranch in disguise! Imagine your typical 1.5 style floor plan but, in a reverse-style floor plan, the additional bedrooms are in the basement instead of the 2nd story. With this information in mind, you might be wondering which floor plan style is best for you.
Is a house with a basement considered 2 story?
Generally speaking, a two story house is defined as a home with two full floors above ground. A ranch home with a basement, for example, is not considered a two-story home.
How much cheaper is a 2 story house?
At the same total square footage as the 1 story (2900), here’s the comparison: 1 story house cost $32.50 per square foot. 2 story house cost $26.25 per square foot.
Is it healthy to live in a basement?
Basements have features that expose the people living in them to certain risk factors, like mould, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and radon. Risk of flooding, sewer backup, etc.
What are the benefits of having a basement?
The Benefits of Having a Basement
- Storage: Basements (both finished and unfinished) make great storage areas.
- Privacy: Basement rec rooms, playrooms or media rooms make great places for kids to play away from the adults, relax and watch a movie without distractions or shoot a game of pool.
Why are basements left unfinished?
Some just want the room to act as extra storage or utility room that won’t need as much attention as other rooms. It could also be that a homeowner wants to leave a basement incomplete to pave way for its customization. Such a basement will remain incomplete until the owner is ready to start the redesign process.
What should you watch out in a basement?
What to Look For In the Basement When Buying a House
- Cracks in the Foundation or Other Structural Problems.
- DIY work by the Homeowners.
- Stains on the Basement Walls or Ceiling.
- Fresh Paint on the Basement Walls.
- Poor Drainage and Grading System.
- Check the Height of the Ceiling.
- Ductwork for Heating and Cooling Systems.
Are 2 story homes harder to sell?
If you are thinking ahead toward a time when you might consider selling, it’s important to note that single story homes tend to resell easier and quicker due to their popularity with home buyers.
Is a basement or 2nd story cheaper?
Generally speaking, building up tends to be less expensive than a basement. That said, not too long ago, lumber was at an all-time high and basements were the better option. Check with your builder and they can advise you on the pros, cons, and cost of each.
What are pros and cons of a 2 story house?
The pros and cons of a two storey home
- #1 MAKING USE OF SPACE. The first pro of a two-storey house is the ability it gives you to optimise the space you already have.
- #2 PRIVACY AND NOISE REDUCTION.
- #3 VIEWS.
- #1 SAFETY FIRST.
- #2 DESIGN FLEXIBILITY.
- #3 A SECOND STOREY = TWICE AS MUCH CLEANING.
- #4 HEATING AND COOLING COSTS.
What is a 2.5 story home?
A 2.5 story is a residence with three levels of living area characterized by a steep roof slope and dormers (which project from the roof and have windows on their fronts). Because of the roof design, the area of the third floor is usually 40% to 70% of the ground floor area.
What makes a half story?
Half Story means a story which is situated within a sloping roof, the area of which, at a height of four feet above the floor, does not exceed two-thirds of the floor area directly below it.
What is an upside down style house?
“Flipping” a house takes on new meaning when it refers to an upside-down floor plan. In other words, rather than programming the most-used areas of the house — the kitchen and living areas — on the ground level, some architects and their clients are instead placing these rooms on the upper level.
What is reverse ranch?
In a reverse ranch floor plan, the outside looks just the same, but instead of having additional bedrooms and living space on a second floor, they’re located on a lower level, while the main living space and master suite are on the main floor.
Why is basement not included in square footage?
The entire level must be above grade in order for that space to factor in to the official square footage. This almost always means that if any portion of the basement is below grade, the entire level will typically be excluded from the calculation of the home’s square footage.
How much value does a basement add to a house?
In the United States, on average, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. For example, if you spent $1,000 on improvements, it would increase the value of the property by about $700. If you spent $10,000 on improvements, it would increase the value of the property by about $7,000.