Since, this soil is not able to support the building on its own, a mat foundation is built under the building. One reason is if the soil, on which the building is constructed, does not have a bearing capacity. There are many reasons why Mat foundation is chosen by builders across the globe. Mold and mildew are easier to manage in daylight basements than in full basements.Mat foundation, also known as a raft foundation or floating foundation, is a way of giving extra support to a building. Daylight basements, too, avoid many aspects of basement living, due to the increased natural light and air. They offer the possibility of adding a separate entrance, a necessity if you plan to rent out the space. 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.ĭaylight basements are often more practical for conversion into living space than full basements. Built against a slope, the daylight basement has one or more sides that are completely embedded in the ground, from floor to ceiling. One variation of the full basement is the daylight basement, sometimes called a partial basement.

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. Footings usually extend below the frost line, the depth to which the ground freezes in winter.Ī full basement with a ceiling 7 feet high or higher is a valuable asset to a home. So, if the ground floor of the house is 800 square feet, the full basement's square footage is also 800 square feet-more or less.Ī full basement consists of structural foundation walls that bear on foundation footings running along the perimeter of the basement. In some homes, finishing a basement can nearly double the home's living space. A basement can be conditioned (meaning that it is heated or cooled) like the rest of the house or it can be unconditioned.Ī full basement is one that matches the perimeter of the house above.

The primary advantage of a basement is all the extra space that it provides for storage or for living. Newer homes typically have taller basements to facilitate conversion into living space.

A full basement matches most or all of the floor space of the level above and it is generally at least 7 feet high. The Spruce Home Improvement Review BoardĪ basement foundation is the deepest of the three major foundation types.

Floating foundation system