Hello!
Half-seriously and half-jokingly sketching an extension on our house. The house is a 1½-story house with a basement from the 1920s (so they say..). The floor level of the house where the extension is located is approximately (guessing) 60-70 cm above ground level. The extension should include a utility room with a back door, as well as a slightly larger bathroom with a jacuzzi, shower corner, toilet, sink, and some storage. The floor in the extension should be at the same level as the rest of the house. My thoughts are then on how to achieve this.
The options I have considered are:
1. Basement under the extension as well.
Advantages: Extra storage space in the basement, easy to install HVAC, etc., the same construction as the house previously is.
Disadvantages: Expensive, a lot of excavation, higher heating costs.
2. Crawl space under the extension.
Advantages: Relatively cheap, easy to build, relatively easy to install HVAC.
Disadvantages: Moisture problems, no storage space, more complicated to install HVAC than with other options.
3. Pillar foundation.
Advantages: Very cheap, very easy to build, easy to install HVAC in terms of accessibility, some storage space can be achieved under the building.
Disadvantages: Some risk of moisture damage, higher heating/insulation cost, complicated to install HVAC/sewer (risk of freezing).
4. Concrete slab on grade.
Advantages: Good, stable solution, moisture resistant, durable, maintenance-free.
Disadvantages: Difficult to achieve the correct floor height (raise surrounding ground?), expensive, no storage space under.
Opinions/suggestions/comments?
Half-seriously and half-jokingly sketching an extension on our house. The house is a 1½-story house with a basement from the 1920s (so they say..). The floor level of the house where the extension is located is approximately (guessing) 60-70 cm above ground level. The extension should include a utility room with a back door, as well as a slightly larger bathroom with a jacuzzi, shower corner, toilet, sink, and some storage. The floor in the extension should be at the same level as the rest of the house. My thoughts are then on how to achieve this.
The options I have considered are:
1. Basement under the extension as well.
Advantages: Extra storage space in the basement, easy to install HVAC, etc., the same construction as the house previously is.
Disadvantages: Expensive, a lot of excavation, higher heating costs.
2. Crawl space under the extension.
Advantages: Relatively cheap, easy to build, relatively easy to install HVAC.
Disadvantages: Moisture problems, no storage space, more complicated to install HVAC than with other options.
3. Pillar foundation.
Advantages: Very cheap, very easy to build, easy to install HVAC in terms of accessibility, some storage space can be achieved under the building.
Disadvantages: Some risk of moisture damage, higher heating/insulation cost, complicated to install HVAC/sewer (risk of freezing).
4. Concrete slab on grade.
Advantages: Good, stable solution, moisture resistant, durable, maintenance-free.
Disadvantages: Difficult to achieve the correct floor height (raise surrounding ground?), expensive, no storage space under.
Opinions/suggestions/comments?
Excuse my brief response, but according to me, there is only one answer to your question and that is: Build with a basement! The space is always needed, the soul of the house says basement, and you will regret it if you don't do it. Money, of course, but you only need to pay once, and the house will be worth more. Then you also have a terrific storage space.
/Hans.
/Hans.
Currently building two alternatives myself.. Don't want split-level stairs indoors... 
Not worried about moisture, I have three basement windows to crawl into the crawl space (Also planning to keep them open during spring-summer when the humidity is at its worst) + digital hygrometer now shows 42%...
I would never personally spend on a basement... There will be a Friggebod later as an extra storage for various machines and basement hoarders
Best regards
Not worried about moisture, I have three basement windows to crawl into the crawl space (Also planning to keep them open during spring-summer when the humidity is at its worst) + digital hygrometer now shows 42%...
I would never personally spend on a basement... There will be a Friggebod later as an extra storage for various machines and basement hoarders
Best regards
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Without a basement, you cannot drain the existing basement on the side you're expanding, so for me, I consider anything other than a basement more or less a jerry-built construction! 

Admittedly, the need for drainage decreases when the extension is above, but I still choose to expand with a basement in my project.
Admittedly, the need for drainage decreases when the extension is above, but I still choose to expand with a basement in my project.
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I have newly drained the basement foundation a year ago and have also drained the crawlspace foundation now and connected it with the basement drainage foundation ..So it works perfectly fine to do so ..
Best regards
Best regards
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