What height should the basement be made at home? How high should the basement be for a brick house? How to level the base

Construction concrete foundations in Moscow, the region and throughout the country begins with detailed and technical correct calculation all the nuances and features. To establish the main characteristics of the foundation of the cottage, the design of the cottage, the features of the relief and soil conditions must be taken into account, and the meteorological situation in each specific region is also taken into account. All these subtleties are needed to calculate the height of the foundation in its above-ground part - that structural element on which many try to save money.

InnovaStroy specialists, based on the requirements of GOST and SNiP, create such structural elements, which, on the one hand, will save the developer money, and on the other, will ensure the safety of the building, its supporting structures and finishing, no matter what materials they are made of.

The height of the foundation above the ground - what is it?

As you know, the foundation of any cottage is buried in the ground to a certain distance, depending on design features building, design loads, soil characteristics and groundwater location. It is natural that underground part the foundation can be of very different depths, up to 1.2 meters with no space involved. With the creation of a basement or equipped basement, this depth can reach 3 meters. The question naturally arises about that part of the base that protrudes above ground level - that is, above the zero height mark. Many believe that this part can be neglected and save significant funds on more than one cubic meter of monolith or brick.

In fact, those few tens of centimeters separating the surface of the earth from the beginning load-bearing walls, are designed to provide increased protection of the entire structure from adverse external influences. The height of the foundation above the zero level is determined at the design stage by our architects and designers. This part of the building’s foundation is treated in the same way as all other elements - waterproofing, insulation, decorative outer skin. But in addition to aesthetic beauty, the basement distance also carries a functional load, which we do not recommend discounting if you want your country mansion to last for a very long time and not require repairs.

The height of the foundation of the house: why is it needed?

The distance from the ground to the lower edge of the load-bearing walls and external decoration is designed to provide several protective functions, for whom it is actually created by architects and designers. Below we will describe the main functions of the basement, without taking into account the option with a full basement, since in this case, according to GOST, more than 1 meter of distance from the ground to the first floor is required. So, the main functions of the above-ground part of the foundation:

• Leveling the terrain of the site without making changes to the topography of the territory, with the absence of large volumes of earthworks. At very large differences site height is best order a pile foundation in InnovaStroy to minimize any excavation operations;
• Resistance to heaving of the soil layer during the freezing process - thus, the soil acts only in the horizontal direction on the base walls, and does not apply force to the load-bearing structures of the walls of the cottage;
• Protection against waterlogging during critical amounts of precipitation. Because aboveground part the foundation is slightly recessed in relation to the plane of the wall, this makes it easier to drain rainwater and condensate from the walls, which helps prevent the appearance of dampness and mold;
• A certain height of the foundation above the ground allows you to minimize the impact of capillary moisture and evaporation. During the process of atmospheric exposure, microscopic pockets of moisture appear in the surrounding space and territory - dew, for example - they evaporate and can have a detrimental effect on the house, settling on surfaces. The distance from the construction zero mark allows this type of moisture to be removed into drainage system even before it settles on the walls themselves;
• The height of the house's foundation ensures that there are vents in the base to improve ventilation of the subfloor space. Another functional load is working as an additional waterproofing barrier, together with the blind area;
• Let's not forget about the aesthetic beauty of the building, which has a small distance between the ground and the walls, usually finished in contrasting materials in relation to the external façade of the walls.

How high should the foundation be above ground level?

This issue is very relevant, since most protective processes are not visible during operation, and all the benefits appear only in the long term. Based on this, many developers are trying to save on this design and exclude it from construction and estimate documentation.

However, many generations of builders and architects have already tested more than once different variants structures country cottage, which led, as a result, to the widespread use of above-ground basement distances in the construction of all houses. For each type of building material from which the cottage will be built, there are certain requirements about how high the foundation should be above ground level, which is necessarily taken into account by designers.

The most common parameter is in the range from 30 to 50 centimeters - which optimally provides protection for a house built in central Russia. If the maximum level of snowfall reaches 20 centimeters, then the distance can be increased.

It is also worth considering the fact that about 10 centimeters of this height will be occupied by a blind area with surface finishing material - so you will have to increase the distance to the ground. Naturally, there are cases when 20 centimeters of height of the above-ground part of the foundation is enough - this is in those areas where the soils are not heaving and the maximum snowfall does not exceed 5 centimeters - in the south of our country.

One cannot ignore the fact that during the construction country house the height between the ground and the base of the walls is used to give the building originality and a unique style - for example, terraces are built below floor level with wide steps, or the platform can be built on stilts, which will give the house charm and slight sophistication. The entrance block also has several steps with railings and a veranda, which also affects the image of your country residence. Perhaps the height of the above-ground part of the foundation is that rare case in architecture when purely functional details of a house could be turned into its highlight and unusual decorative element. There are even cases when the base part is made protruding, in the form of an ancient “heap” - there are no restrictions on design and engineering ideas, as long as this part of the foundation regularly performs its main functions of protecting the house.

What is the optimal height of the foundation above the ground for the types of structures?

Based on the base material from which the supporting structure of the building will be created, the parameters of the distance from the zero mark are also selected. For example, the height of a shallow strip foundation is almost always equal to its underground part - that is, about 50-60 centimeters. However, there is no particular difference where strip foundation in the Moscow region will fit, since the approximate profile of the soil layer is the same for the entire central region and most surrounding areas of the country. By type of construction, you can provide approximate indicators for the distance from the edge of the wall to the zero ground level:

• 30-40 centimeters – for brick and monolithic structures;
• 40-50 centimeters – when using gas-foam blocks, large-sized ceramic materials;
• Over 50 centimeters - when constructing a frame, prefabricated or wooden house, since the material is most susceptible to external influences.

How high should a monolithic foundation be made?

This question arises most often, because in strip base a fairly small surface area of ​​the foundation, which can be increased using various building materials. In pile and screw version The technology itself provides for a minimum of 20 centimeters of foundation from the extreme point of the ground to the bottom of the grillage frame. Since a monolithic foundation slab, the price of which is already quite high, requires uniform filling to a certain height, it is best to consult with the specialists of our company on how to simplify the design of the base and reduce financial expenses to create a slab foundation. It is quite possible that the design of the building will make it possible to create a contour build-up of the basement using bricks, and fill the interior space with a more accessible floor screed. In any case, professional help will never hurt when creating a reliable and durable foundation.

Only a trained InnovaStroy specialist can determine exactly what foundation height will be sufficient for your specific cottage. More than 7 years of practice and own developments in the field suburban construction allow us to provide each customer with objective and substantiated data on all the nuances of building a foundation for a cottage not only in Moscow, but throughout Russia. Use the services of professionals to prevent premature and unexpected costs for repairs and restoration of load-bearing parts of the cottage.

Usually, the design documentation also approves the height of the basement of the house, however, trying to reduce costs for the foundation, the owners of the future building doubt the advisability of this size if they are not going to use it, that is, build a basement or furnace room. However, this important point for the entire facility, on which not only the quality and stability, but also the durability of the entire building depends. Below are recommendations for optimal solution in terms of determining parameters.

Base - purpose and types

The ground floor, or as it is commonly called, the basement, is the above-ground part of the foundation, which is of great importance both in design and operational terms. The following points depend on it:

1. Protecting the house from interaction with soil moisture.
2. Stable position of buildings with more than one floor.
3. Compensation of the load of the entire object on the ground during shrinkage.
4. Possibility of placing boiler rooms and cellars with an indispensable condition of ventilation. In this case, the height of the base of a wooden house should take into account the dimensions of the equipment inside the ground floor.
5. Individuality in the matter of architecture.

The types of plinth are different according to the architectural plan in relation to load-bearing walls and are:

1. Speakers. This is a classic form that provides stability to the entire building, however, such a base must be protected by ebbs for water drainage.
2. Level with the walls. It is inexpressive in appearance and does not receive protection from humidity.
3. Falling, that is, the walls go beyond their edges. For ignorant people, the shape evokes the opinion that the residential structure as a whole is unstable, although it is reliably protected from moisture.

Not installing a base means dooming the wooden object to rapid decay and, as a result, destruction. The savings on the basis will be mythical.

Determining the dimensions of the plinth

The structure of the above-ground part of the foundation is influenced by many factors. What height of plinth is preferred depends on the purpose and conditions of existence of the object.

The ratio of heights to a specific level is established by the design bureau in agreement with the customer, however, the following are strictly taken into account:

• The depth of the foundation.
• The capriciousness of the soil and the level of occurrence of aquifers.
• Climatic conditions of the area and freezing.
• Installation in ground floors heating devices or other purposes.
• The overall height of the object.
• Ventilation of the ground floor.

The specific regulation for the minimum size of such a parameter as the height of the base, SNiP provides for at least 20 cm for monolithic slab. But based on the fact that strip foundations have become widespread, and the snow cover in central Russia is approximately 1 m, then the ground floor cannot be less than this. Plus a blind area of ​​0.2 m.

It becomes clear that the total height will be 1.2 m. For wooden log houses made of light beams, an increase in height is recommended.

Features of the base and its height during construction

They are based on the prevention of capillary processes and heat conservation - these are important qualities for any structure, and for wood they are also life-determining, given the hostility between moisture and the building material. So:

At the design stage, all ideas and changes should be included in the drawings - it is quite difficult to bring sudden desires to life during the construction process. Also, you should not redo the package of sketches and architectural documents yourself - arbitrariness is fraught. In the design bureau, on the contrary, specialists will take into account all the nuances, the implementation of which will only benefit the object.

• Why does a house need a basement?
• Basement of a house with double-layer walls.
• Features of basement waterproofing.
• Elimination of cold bridges in the basement.

The basement is the above-ground part of the foundation. This is a rather complex knot, where the vertical (basement, walls) and horizontal (floors and ceilings) structures of the house converge and adjoin each other.

Proper construction, waterproofing and insulation of the basement are necessary conditions for building a durable, economical and heat-saving house.

The figure below clearly shows what will happen if the house has a very low base.

Plinth with a height of at least 20 cm. protects walls from moisture (in the picture on the left) A low base and absence of a base leads to moisture in the wall of the house (in the picture in the center and on the right)

The height of the base of a private house must be at least 20 cm. With a low base, there is a high risk of moisture in the wall of the house. The walls will be moistened by splashes when raindrops hit the ground, when snowdrifts melt, or from capillary suction of moisture directly from the ground.

Damp walls lose their heat-saving properties. Water freezing in the walls gradually destroys them. Dirt, dampness, fungus and mold appear on the walls outside and inside the house.

In areas with high snow cover, it is better to make the height of the base no lower than the level of stable snow cover. This rule is especially important to follow for houses with wooden walls.

To protect the walls of the house from moisture coming from the ground, two lines of defense are created:

• They increase the height of the base in order to remove the walls of the house as far as possible from the ground, the source of moisture.
• They waterproof the walls of the house and the basement in the dangerous zone of exposure to moisture.

A high base increases the cost of building a house. Therefore, depending on the design of the walls and, they try to find a reasonable compromise between the size of the plinth and the level of waterproofing.

Be sure to arrange it between the base and the wall of the house.horizontal layer roll waterproofing.

In some cases, which are discussed below, it is necessary to do additional waterproofing of the walls of the house.

For a private home it is recommended to make a recessed base. At the sinking base outside surface the wall protrudes beyond the border of the plinth by about 50 mm. Water falling on the surface of the wall flows down and falls from the wall past the base onto the blind area. This solution prevents water flowing down the wall from reaching the horizontal waterproofing and flowing along it into the wall. For better water drainage A drip line is secured along the lower edge of the wall.

It should be noted that in addition to the moisture-proof function, the base plays a certain role in the architectural appearance of the house. A house on a high base looks more solid and impressive, and finishing the base can highlight the beauty of the floors of the house.

Correct basement of a house with single-layer external walls

The height of the basement of a house with single-layer external walls must be at least 50 cm.(in the picture on the left) Or for a plinth height of less than 50 cm, but not lower than 20 cm., additional waterproofing of the walls is necessary. (in the picture on the right)

The outer surface of single-layer walls is less protected from moisture than multilayer walls. Therefore, it is recommended that the base of a house with a height of at least 50 cm.

If the base of a single-layer wall is below 50 cm., That arrange additional waterproofing in two places:

1. In the wall, above the first or second layer of masonry made of aerated concrete or porous ceramic blocks, another layer of roll waterproofing is laid.
2. The outer surface of the wall, in the area of ​​the lower rows of masonry, is protected from water by a layer of vertical waterproofing. To do this, it is enough to use hydrophobic primers and waterproof plasters when finishing the wall. It is better, but more expensive, to line the base and lower part of the walls with a material with low water absorption, for example, clinker tiles.

Plinth design for a single-layer wall houses with basement or at home on foundation - slab Can

Dimensions of the basement of a house with two-layer external walls

The minimum height of the plinth for a two-layer wall insulated with polystyrene foam is 20 cm. For a wall insulated with mineral wool, it is recommended not less than 30 cm.(in the left picture) A low base will lead to moisture exterior finishing and soaking mineral wool insulation (in the picture on the right)

Besides, thermal insulation of the base eliminates the cold bridge through the base and load-bearing part of the wall, bypassing the thermal insulation of the floor and wall.

In a single-layer wall, the floor is raised to the level of the second or third row of masonry. The vertical waterproofing of the base is raised to the same level. 2 - waterproofing; 4-5 - plaster on a grid; 8 - finishing; 9 - floor on the ground

If on site or weakly heaving, then the task of combating the forces of frost heaving is not worth it. In this case, it is only necessary to get rid of the cold bridge through the base and load-bearing part of the wall.

To eliminate the cold bridge in a house with single-layer walls without insulation of the base, it is necessary to raise the floor to the level of the second or third row of masonry blocks of the outer wall. This is sufficient, since the material of a single-layer wall has low thermal conductivity.

The load-bearing part of two- or three-layer walls is usually made of material with high thermal conductivity. To eliminate the cold bridge in two- or three-layer walls, you can cover only the upper part of the base with insulation, by approximately 0.5 m. below floor level. This will increase the length of the heat flow path along the base.

If the basement space under the house is not heated, then the basement is covered with thermal insulation on both sides.

In multi-layer walls, to eliminate the cold bridge, cover one outer or both sides of the base with thermal insulation (for houses with an unheated basement or floors on the ground)

For multilayer walls, another way to combat the cold bridge is used. The lower rows of masonry of the load-bearing part of the wall are made of wall material with low thermal conductivity. The floor level is raised in the same way as for a single-layer wall.

For insulating the base and underground part of the foundation, extruded polystyrene foam slabs (penoplex, etc.) are best suited.

It is convenient to insulate strip foundations. The design of pile foundations with bored (including TISE) or screw piles is more suitable for a cold base. Insulation of such foundations is quite problematic and expensive.

The basement space of houses with pile foundations is usually not insulated. The construction of the basement and floor of the first floor of the house on pile foundation are chosen taking into account this circumstance.

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The height of the base is one of the parameters that is of great importance when building a house. This is the lower part of the building, erected on a foundation and performing important functions related to retaining heat indoors. The plinth is necessary in order to protect the walls from the effects of groundwater; it prevents the formation of fungus and mold on the walls, increases the resistance of the structure low temperatures. Thanks to the presence of the base, the heat exchange between the interior and the street increases.

In order for this part of the house to meet all the requirements and contribute to the solution of the assigned tasks, it is necessary during construction not only to choose high-quality and reliable material, but also take into account the height of the basement being built.

How to determine the height of the plinth

One of the types of base is recessed

The effectiveness of the protective functions performed by the base of a house directly depends on its height and type:

1. The protruding base requires additional finishing and the construction of a canopy that protects the structure from precipitation and moisture accumulation. It becomes a decoration of the facade of any building.
2. The sinking one is the most durable. In this option, the junction of the base and the walls of the house is completely protected from moisture, which guarantees increased safety of the foundation and protection of the waterproofing layer. When constructing this type, there is no need to construct mandatory water outlets.
3. Level with the wall. The least popular type of base. It requires the construction of a canopy, and when additional finishing is carried out it becomes protruding.

The choice of the height of the basement being built is influenced by the type of foundation, the depth of groundwater, and climatic conditions in the area where construction is taking place. In addition, the presence of a basement floor (basement) is important.

When starting work on the construction of a basement, it is worth considering that the higher it is, the less likely it is that the interior will suffer from moisture penetration. Construction begins directly from the foundation of the house, and at the joints with the walls of the building it is required proper organization waterproofing, preventing possible penetration of moisture through the capillaries of the porous material into the walls of the building.

The base is flush with the wall

The impact on the base is comprehensive, since it can withstand constant load from the walls. And in cases where the house does not have a basement and the floor is located on the ground, the base is also subject to the pressure of the earth buried inside the entire perimeter of the house.

If, in order to determine the width of the future basement, it is necessary to accurately determine the choice of material from which the walls of the house will be built, and its type depends on the quality of the foundation, then the height will depend on the presence of a basement, temperature conditions, weather conditions and the amount of natural precipitation characteristic of the area where construction is taking place. These parameters vary greatly in different areas, so there are no strict guidelines for determining the height of the plinth.

Minimum height

The construction of the base begins directly from the foundation, and it is raised to a height of at least 40 centimeters. It is believed that this is the minimum height of the base of the house.

High base of the house

This height is optimal in the presence of a strip foundation, although a base of this height is erected on another basis, based on the average per decade level of snow falling annually in a given area. A basement of this height is erected only in cases where the house does not have a basement.

In some areas, the height of the base of the house is lower than this indicator. In particularly arid zones, the construction of a brick structure is allowed to a height of only 20 centimeters. But even here there is a risk of excessive moisture in the walls of the house when ordinary rainwater gets on them. In most cases, a properly constructed blind area can change the situation. Although, with a low base height, as well as with improper construction of the foundation, the walls of the house may suffer from capillary wetting of the walls with groundwater. This will lead to destruction of the material from the inside and a significant reduction in the life of the building.

Standard height

Standard height plinth

The basement floor requires a significant increase in the height of the base itself. Now to the main functions that it is designed to perform this design, we also add the provision of installation in the technical room engineering systems, which include pumps or valves. In some cases, when choosing the height of the base, they are guided by the height of the ceilings of the basement.

The features of the construction of the foundation of the house remain important. If the foundation level coincides with the ground level, then the height of the base cannot be less than 70 centimeters, and sometimes it reaches one meter. Standard height, during the construction of a country house reaches 50 or 70 centimeters. It is this value that is considered optimal for most areas with varied climatic conditions and different depths of groundwater.

So, to determine the height of the base when building a country house, you need to take into account:

• depth of groundwater;
• amount of precipitation;
• presence of a basement;
• the need to organize a technical room in the basement;
• view of the furnished foundation of the house.

Features of waterproofing and insulation at different heights

The effectiveness of the strip base will be reduced to zero if there are no ventilation ducts in it. These are holes, the distance between which should not exceed 3 meters. They are installed around the entire perimeter, ensuring high-quality air circulation. Internal walls and partitions are no exception. These holes can only be closed ventilation grilles. In the video you will see how to properly insulate and waterproof the basement of a house.

The use of any plugs is strictly prohibited, since the humidity present in the basement space leads to the formation of mold and mildew. When building a brick plinth, to organize ventilation ducts, it is enough to leave gaps in the masonry; in other options, pipes are used that are fixed between the blocks. The jumpers can be sheet steel or ordinary reinforcement.

Reliable protection of the base from groundwater is provided by waterproofing material. This can be roofing felt or another type of rolled waterproofing, such as:

• glass ruberoid;
• rubemast;
• euroruberoid.

Lay it in two layers directly on the foundation, applying bitumen mastic or heated bitumen. Between layers of waterproofing material a layer is applied adhesive composition providing a strong connection.

Not everyone knows and, most importantly, understands why a building needs a basement. From a technical point of view, the plinth is a structural element that is located between the foundation and the frame of the building. It performs many tasks.

Peculiarities

In a technical sense, the base is that part of the foundation that is located above ground level. Its main purpose is to uniformly redistribute the load on the supports in order to increase the stability of the structure and long term services.

The base solves a number of important problems:

• is the basis for the construction of the building frame;
• if there is a basement floor, it functions as walls;
• special vents are installed in the basement, which act as ventilation holes, thanks to which the basement is well ventilated and does not rot under the influence of high humidity and low temperatures;
• Due to the height, the plinth protects the floors from the cold coming from the ground.

All this makes the base especially important for the strength and durability of the entire house, which is why it competent arrangement very important.

If the surface of the base is not covered with finishing materials, it quickly becomes dirty, which can cause its rapid destruction and deterioration of the condition of the foundation and floors of the entire structure.

Facing material protects the foundation from damage by fungal microorganisms and mold, and also prevents the appearance of “insect colonies” under the main part of the house.

It is very important to pay special attention to the insulation of the basement, since basements function like a large battery, sucking all the heat out of the building, and even a warm floor cannot prevent this. And in addition, an insulated base is important for maintaining the strength of the structure, since when severe frosts quite often erosion processes begin in the foundation.

A stylish plinth can become a decoration of a building, an accent that will emphasize design solution facade and impeccable taste of property owners.

Kinds

The base plays very well important role in all buildings where there is a corresponding floor or a large basement.

From a structural point of view, plinths are:

• sinking;
• speakers;
• aligned in line with the external facade.

The sinking option is the most popular because it requires less materials for its arrangement, and in addition, it is not flooded with rain, and this is very beneficial because it allows you to avoid installing gutters. A sunken base, as a rule, is protected by a layer of effective waterproofing, so it withstands rain and melting snow better, and lasts much longer.

Purely visually, a sinking base looks as if the upper part of the building protrudes above the lower, this helps to form double protection against moisture, due to which the basement remains dry.

A protruding base looks more aesthetically pleasing, but the arrangement requires mandatory installation additional systems ebb along the top edge to protect the basement from moisture getting inside. Modern house building in recent years, protruding plinths have practically been abandoned, since this option requires much high costs effort, time and money for its arrangement, and in addition, it has reduced resistance to wind and melt water, is prone to corrosion and, as a result, wears out faster.

In fairness, it is worth noting the fact that the thermal insulation with such an organization of the base is higher than with other options.

You will also need to cover the waterproofing layer and install a drainage mechanism to remove rainwater. This base makes sense if the external walls of the house according to the technical design are too thin. At the same time, it looks quite aesthetically pleasing, giving the entire structure a tangible monumentality.

But experts categorically do not advise building the base flush with the outer wall. In this case, the owners of the house will not be able to protect it with a layer of waterproofing, which means that the risk of excessive dampness in the most vulnerable areas will increase, and the aesthetics of such a design will be “lame” - a foundation aligned with the walls will never make as favorable an impression as a relief one.

Dimensions

The size of the base is influenced by the type of foundation, the general design of the house, the basic parameters of the soil, as well as the intended purpose of the basement - there are special regulations in this regard. For example, if a heating boiler is located in the basement of a private house, then the base in mandatory must have access to the street.

Many residential property owners believe that if they do not build a basement, then there is no need for a basement, and the foundation can be built flush with the ground - and this is a very big misconception. The main task of the plinth is not to protect the basement, but to insulate the facade and ceilings of the building from contact with the ground. Precisely in order to groundwater did not rise upward through the concrete by capillary action, a layer of waterproofing, usually roofing felt, must be laid between the façade and basement parts of the wall.

In accordance with the standards, in an ordinary private house the base should rise above the ground at a distance of about 30-40 cm. If the building is built of wood, it makes sense to make the base higher - 60-70 cm, and if the house has a semi-basement floor, then the base should rise 1.5-2 meters above the ground level - it is this height that provides maximum compliance with existing standards. The height of the base does not depend in any way on the material from which it is equipped, be it stone, brick or cinder block options - any coating suffers from water equally.

It is very important to take into account the natural climatic zone, namely: the average temperature in the cold season, as well as the average amount of precipitation. If you are just planning to build a house, then the approximate height of the base can be calculated empirically - for this, over several years you will need to measure the depth of the maximum snow cover, then find the average value and add 10 cm to it.

According to the current SNiP, the minimum height of the base should be 20 cm, however, from a practical point of view, this parameter should be higher.

Of course, installing a high base will be more expensive, since it requires more costs for concreting work. However, this is exactly the case when savings should fade into the background; the priority is the strength of the base and high performance characteristics.

Let's figure out why height is so important and what the size of the base affects.

The main thing is that the degree of protection of the entire building and its interior spaces from unfavorable factors external environment and mechanical damage. However, you need to set the height wisely, since every extra centimeter will significantly increase the total cost construction work. In addition, it is important to focus on protecting the lower part of the facade from frost by laying a layer of high-quality thermal insulation on the outside or inside.

If you have difficulties calculating the optimal height of the plinth, then you should contact a specialist. Their help, as a rule, is not free, but it is better to spend extra money on proper home planning than to pay much more later large amounts for its reconstruction.

Materials

To construct the lower part of the building, as a rule, one of the following materials is used:

• stone – it is strong, but requires high-quality thermal insulation;
• brick is the most common material for arranging plinths;
• concrete – gives good stability to multi-story buildings;
• foam and gas blocks - allow you to build a base as quickly as possible, hygroscopic;
• FBS blocks – have a high safety margin and are used in multi-storey construction.

Choice suitable material is made on the basis of the existing project documentation. Let us dwell in more detail on the advantages and disadvantages of each of the listed materials.

A natural stone

Stone is a rather expensive finishing material. At the same time, it is characterized by increased strength and durability. This type of plinth finishing has been relevant for several decades, and only granite material and cladding with marble or limestone can compete with it.

Naturally, a non-natural version of the stone is used; for arranging the base, cut slabs with a textured surface are produced, in which decorative protrusions are preserved to give a natural look.

Plinths, which are made of natural stone, look very elegant and original. Such a foundation is optimal for private houses and cottages built in a classical or English style. At the same time, the process of installing a stone plinth is quite labor-intensive and requires a lot of effort, time and money, and in addition, it requires professional equipment, which not every home has, so these days such a plinth is rather rare.

Brick

The brick plinth is considered the most popular option; it has a relatively low cost, and the installation itself does not present any great difficulties for a person who has at least minimal construction and finishing works.

In practice, several options for constructing such foundations are used; they are based on combining various materials. Thus, a brick surface, as a rule, is not the final appearance; it can be painted or plastered. It is important to keep in mind that only silane-siloxane paints are used in finishing the base; they are characterized by good hygroscopicity and reliably protect the base from water penetration.

Plasters should also be used specially designed for facade works. For the construction of the basement, M-50 grade brick is used, the minimum masonry is 4 rows.

Concrete blocks

This material is also popular during construction work due to the strength and stability of such a plinth.

Current regulations impose strict requirements on the weight of the blocks used: when doing manual laying, it should not exceed 100 kg, and when using special metal or wooden levers, a block weight of 500 kg is allowed.

This option is perhaps the only one that is suitable for arranging the basement floor - that is, in cases where the basement is not just a basement, but a real living space.

When laying such material, it is necessary to take into account:

• the use of reinforcement to increase the stability of the building;
• pouring the bottom layer with concrete;
• the need for thermal insulation of the base;
• Filling is carried out in stages in several stages, avoiding the formation of seams in any direction.

Monolithic plinth

Using concrete, a monolithic plinth is also installed; such work is based on the construction of a formwork frame into which cement mortar is poured, after hardening it turns out to be 2 in 1: both the foundation and the plinth at the same time.

Moreover, to design such a plinth, corrugated fiberglass, rubber mats and other materials are often placed in the formwork, which give the plinth a wide variety of textures.

After the concrete hardens, the formwork is removed, the surface is cleaned, voids are filled and external defects are eliminated, then covered with reinforcing mesh and a finishing coating is applied.

Foam block

A foam block base is another option for arranging a concrete foundation.

This material has a porous structure, which is due to the hardening properties of the foaming agent; the components also include sand, cement and water, mixed using a special technology.

As a rule, such a coating looks like a block, but sometimes it is available in other versions: with spikes, grooves, and the like.

Foam blocks are optimal for arranging the lower part of the facade, since they are distinguished by great strength and stability, but at the same time they are light in weight (14-20 kg), and thanks to their dimensions, all work can be completed in the shortest possible time.

Please note that the use of this type of concrete structures requires mandatory vapor and waterproofing at the preparatory stage.

Wood

This option is used very rarely and is generally popular in ecovillages where residents prefer wood as the main building material. With this option for arranging the base, the entire base is used round logs or timber with a cross-section of 15x15 cm or more.

Device

The design of the base is a process that combines several important stages: ventilation system equipment, waterproofing, direct construction of the base and its finishing.

Ventilation

The humidity level in basements is always elevated. This is due to the fact that moisture and evaporation rise from the soil base, which, having no way out, begin to be deposited on the surface of the load-bearing structures of knowledge. This has a rather detrimental effect on the performance properties of the latter, causing metal corrosion and rotting of wooden supports, which significantly reduces their service life. Unfortunately, this is far from the only consequence of moisture. The air in basements and basements is an environment that is ideal for the growth of fungus and mold that is dangerous to life and health. These microorganisms lead to the development of allergic and bronchopulmonary diseases, since during inhalation they enter the human lungs, having the most destructive effect on them.

That is why the issue of ventilation of closed premises, especially basements, is always of particular relevance. Basement ventilation is arranged in two ways: natural and forced.

Natural ventilation involves the installation of special vents, that is, holes that will promote free air circulation. This type of ventilation is ensured by the difference in air temperatures from inside and outside the basement. Depending on the design of the base, the ventilation device may vary. For example, if the base is made of monolithic concrete, then when installing the formwork, small sections are laid in advance asbestos pipes, the dimensions of which directly depend on the size of the ventilated room.

The vents are covered with special grilles that prevent rats, mice and other rodents from settling in the basement of a residential building. These gratings are usually made from polymer materials.

There are no standards regulating the number and dimensions of vents, so the owners of a private house must plan the ventilation openings themselves, based on data on the wind rose, seasonal temperature fluctuations and precipitation levels. However, any professional builder can select the optimal number of vents and their location, based on his experience working with ventilation systems in buildings of different types.

Forced ventilation has a slightly different mechanism of action and a different scope of use. This method is optimal for large basements where natural circulation air turns out to be ineffective.

To ensure ventilation of such spaces, ventilation pipes that come out of the roof are placed in the box. Their height should not exceed the level of the roof ridge. For very large premises use the option in which the input ventilation pipe mounted at the level of the base, and the outlet - above the level of the ridge, while fans are installed in both pipes.

Nowadays engineering has made big step forward, so there is a wide variety on the market automated systems forced ventilation associated with sensors for determining the level of humidity in the basement. Thanks to the functioning of such systems in the basement, any increase in humidity levels above the established level is excluded; the system includes intensive air removal in cases where the indicator reaches a critical level.

Insulation

The air temperature in individual rooms of the entire building, especially those whose walls face the street, largely depends on the proper arrangement of the basement. And in general, the microclimate in a residential building is largely determined by the degree of insulation of the basement. This is not surprising, because the base is in direct contact with the ground, load-bearing supports and the floor.

If insufficient attention was paid to thermal insulation when arranging the foundations, the room will be cold and damp.

High-quality insulation of the base eliminates the effect of cold bridges and causes significant heat savings, which reach 15-20%. This stage is so important because at least 15% of the heat from living quarters can escape through the basement walls, as a result, freezing of the foundation occurs and supporting structures. As a result, materials begin to deteriorate, and the air in the basement becomes damp and “rich” in mold, mildew and moss. In addition, a feature of many regions of Russia is the clay structure of the soil, the soil is characterized by a high degree of heaving, and in conditions of low temperature a phenomenon occurs that is called “frost heaving” - the soil increases, which often causes deformation and displacement of the building frame. Thermal insulation can prevent this process and, accordingly, reduce the risks of distortions and subsidence of structures.

Thermal insulation of the base can be carried out both from the inside and from the outside.

Insulation performs the following tasks:

• promotes the formation of a favorable microclimate;
• protects the facade from ground and atmospheric sedimentary moisture;
• minimizes the risk of condensation settling on wooden load-bearing elements of the foundation;
• extends the life of the house as a whole.

From a practical point of view, both internal and external insulation of the base gives the same result. The only difference comes down to appearance all structures as a whole - insulation from the outside involves carrying out finishing works that make the base more attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

Used thermal insulation materials must necessarily meet a number of requirements:

• low thermal conductivity – the ability to retain heat in a room primarily depends on this parameter;
• hygroscopicity - the coating should not absorb water, since even its minimum concentration significantly worsens the performance parameters of the insulation and shortens its service life;
• high compressive strength - this allows the coating to withstand the pressure exerted by the soil well.

All of the above requirements are best met by slab materials. as well as modern sprayed insulation.

Waterproofing

There are a lot of options for arranging effective waterproofing; they can be divided into several types. It can be:

• penetrating;
• pasting;
• painting;
• coating waterproofing;
• arrangement of a clay ring;
• drainage.

A clay ring is formed in that part of the facade that is located just below ground level. To do this, the clay composition is mixed and set, after which the foundation should be tied around the entire perimeter of the base to a depth of approximately 20-30 cm. Next, the clay is compacted as much as possible and sprinkled with sand and crushed stone.

Blind area and drainage too effective methods basement waterproofing. In this case, for the lowest level of the plinth, a drainage pipe, through which groundwater will be drained.

The blind area differs in location - it is laid exactly in the place where upper layer the soil is in contact with the base.

The width of the blind area is approximately 1 meter; as a rule, asphalt or concrete is used for it, which are placed along the perimeter of the building frame. It is most important to ensure good sealing of the places where the base comes into contact with the blind area. Urethane mastic is suitable as a sealant. This structure must necessarily be located with a slight slope.

These two methods are considered the simplest and fastest in terms of their arrangement.

Pasted waterproofing is based on the use of roll materials made of bitumen or synthetic polymers, which are glued in several layers, less often fused. In some cases, multilayer membranes or isospan can be used. The minimum number of layers is 2, and it is necessary to form an overlap of 15-25 cm.

According to professional builders, this method requires preliminary preparation surfaces and strict adherence to temperature conditions during work.

The advantages of this method are obvious:

• low price;
• plastic;
• environmental Safety;
• high adhesion to stone surfaces, as well as concrete and wood;
• simplicity and ease of installation.

All work can be carried out independently without the use of professional equipment.

However, not everything is so perfect - adhesive waterproofing It also has its downsides. The surface must be pre-cleaned and specially prepared: leveled and dried. In addition, the tensile strength of rolled materials is highly questionable, and under the influence of external unfavorable factors, such coatings begin to deform and become unusable.

As the name suggests, coating waterproofing is produced using coating materials - most often bitumen and polymer mastics are used for this, more modern version counts liquid rubber. This waterproofing is optimal for plinths made of brick and concrete.

This coating is characterized by a smooth and uniform structure, no seams and good water resistance. At the same time, such materials have a short service life - after 5-7 years they become covered with cracks.

A good alternative to the listed compositions may be liquid glass- This innovative material, which has been in maximum demand among users in recent years. This insulation is easy to apply, environmentally friendly, resistant to temperature changes and acid-base solutions.

Internal insulation allows the use of the same materials and methods as external insulation, for example, geotextiles and roll materials will effectively protect the base from internal moisture. The choice can be made on other compositions: bicroelast, euroroofing material or hydrostekloizol.

However, sheet materials can also be used. They should be preferred in regions with snowy winters or in houses located close to flood zones during the spring melting of snow. Sheet waterproofing can withstand large volumes of water under high pressure. In this case, it is necessary to use steel with a thickness of at least 4 mm.

How to choose?

The most durable and strongest, from a technical point of view, is considered to be a base made of monolithic reinforced concrete, since only the most quality cement and river sand without any impurities. The frame of such a plinth is reinforced with reinforcement.

And here the most available material is a brick. No less popular is the base made of concrete blocks, which are connected to each other with concrete mortars.

For one-story houses, natural stone is most often used, which can be sawn or “wild”. Masonry performed only using cement mortar, since when arranging a base of this type, there is a need to tightly seal all the holes between the stones so that the entire structure is a single whole.

As for the design of the base, it directly depends on the characteristics of the foundation and not vice versa. The priority parameter when building a house is the foundation, and the arrangement of the basement is, albeit important, but nevertheless of secondary importance.

If, with the help of a foundation, the façade is raised to a considerable height, at which contact of the wall with the melt water, then we can assume that the base problem has already been solved. This is precisely the situation that arises when constructing foundations of pile and columnar types, while the base acts as a fencing for the space under the house and there are no special requirements for its strength and waterproofing.

That is why in most cases, arranging a basement comes down to purchasing finishing material– there is a great choice here: from siding to natural granite. This type of plinth is called decorative and it would be a big mistake to use it as a fence for filling sand inside, since the plinth can only serve as a support if the structure has its own foundation and is characterized by high resistance to tilting.

If the base part is placed on strip foundation, then it combines the functions of a barrier and a load-bearing support, in this case it is mandatory to waterproof and insulate this part of the house.

If the house is built on screw piles, you should give preference to siding.

How to do it yourself?

In order to build a base, you need special tools:

• shovel;
• tank for diluting cement;
• concrete mixer or screwdriver;
• trowel;
• paint brush or roller;
• centimeter or tape measure.

As a rule, home craftsmen build a brick plinth on their own. All other options require a more professional approach, so we will dwell in more detail on this type of work. For masonry, you need to purchase brick, cement, sand, as well as waterproofing material, bitumen-based mastic and a primer.

• lay out the first row of masonry in the corners, then use a centimeter or tape measure to measure the compliance of the dimensions of the plinth for accuracy with the design, while the permissible deviation should not exceed 3 cm;
• mix sand-cement mortar;
• using a trowel, lay the mortar on the corner masonry, then lay out the first row of masonry around the perimeter, cover with a layer of mortar and reinforce the reinforcing mesh in it;
• perform subsequent layers of brickwork.

Tip: the work will go faster and easier if you stretch the cord around the perimeter - this will allow you to build the layers evenly and without deviations from the required masonry parameters. By the way, to decorate the unit, a base strip is used.

When looking at private houses and cottages, the walls of which are located high above ground level, it is sometimes not so easy to guess that this is a basement. If it is lined with high quality, it can look very decorative and aesthetically pleasing.

The finishing of the base can be done in two ways:

• finishing coatings are attached directly to the surface of the base;
• a sheathing of beams or metal profiles is installed, to which decorative elements are mounted.

For cladding the following are most often used:

• stone – is decorative and resistant to mechanical damage; such cladding requires the use of professional services;
• plastic panels – modern industry produces panels that imitate color and texture natural materials(wood, stone and minerals), installation of such slabs is carried out on a pre-arranged frame and can be done on their own;
• ceramic tiles – available in large selection colors and shades, allows you to create any pattern and ideally emphasize the thoughtfulness of the exterior;
• plaster – as a rule, decorative varieties of plaster are used, intended for external use.

The last finishing option is the most budget-friendly.

It’s up to you to decide what the plinth should be, the main thing is that it reliably protects the building, and its aesthetics are a pleasant bonus to its strength and efficiency.

Beautiful examples

The plinth, as an important part of any exterior, needs decorative finishing. Here are examples of stylish and aesthetic options design.

It is not at all necessary to highlight the base on the facade; designers allow the use of one material, for example, finishing bricks or siding.

Plaster cladding is a fashionable option. The main thing is to use a material that is resistant to moisture, for example, terrazite. Its advantage is the ability to choose any shade of finish, which can be updated at any time, but repairs to such a coating will have to be done more than once.

Another type of plinth finishing is panels, which are quite widely available in any hardware store. This is a common option that perfectly imitates natural textures.

Finishing with clinker bricks is a rather expensive solution, but it is worth it.

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