10 Types of Basement Walls
Hello friends, today we will know about various Types of Basement Walls. The basement is one of the most interesting areas in a home. This underground room can be used for various purposes, including storage space, additional living area or workspace.
However, if you plan to build a basement in your home, keep in mind that it will be part of your home’s foundation. This means that the structure you build around the rooms, especially the walls, will play an important role in the structural integrity of your home.
Basement wall types
Whether you intend to use it as storage or living space, you should carefully consider what type of walls you will use for your basement. This article provides all the options to help you choose the right one that suits your needs. Read on to learn more about the different types of basement walls:
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Poured concrete
Concrete is the most popular type of material for building walls for your basement. It is strong and can withstand wear and tear while requiring little maintenance. When using poured concrete to build walls, the work normally involves pouring the concrete into the base of the foundation.
For pouring concrete basement walls to stay in place before drying, forms are used with the insides often heavily oiled before the concrete mix is poured. When the concrete dries, the forms are removed, and a concrete structure remains. It forms a strong wall that is resistant to damage.
- Concrete block
Sometimes called masonry, concrete block is the most cost-effective basement wall option. Cinder blocks are used to build this type of wall. Hollow blocks are set using steel rebars to hold the blocks in place and provide additional strength.
Then, concrete is poured into the spaces between the blocks and the hollow areas of each block. When the concrete hardens, it will form a solid wall strong enough to withstand the tremendous weight.
One major drawback of concrete block walls is that it is
Susceptible to water damage. Because cinder blocks are hollow, water can easily seep through the mortar between the blocks. This can lead to leaks at the joints between the floor and the wall.
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Precast Panel
Precast concrete wall panels are made from a high-strength concrete mix that uses less water than standard concrete. The high concrete concentration makes it one of the toughest basement wall options. It is also faster to install as the panels are pre-fabricated elsewhere and transported to the job site.
While the panels themselves are waterproof, the problem usually lies with the quality of the assembly, especially when the space between the walls and the floor is not properly waterproofed.
- stone or soil
These types of basement walls are often found in older homes. They were quite popular decades ago but were only chosen when other materials were unavailable. Although stone or clay walls are strong, groundwater can easily seep through them, which makes them susceptible to water damage.
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Cement Board
A cement board is ideal as a basement wall material because it is waterproof. It is often recommended as a backer for ceramic tiles, especially in areas of the home that are often damp. It is also resistant to mold and can give your basement a sophisticated look. However, it is heavy, expensive and difficult to cut.
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Drywall Panel
Drywall gives you a quick way to build up your basement walls. This material is easy to install and is made specifically for damp areas of the home, such as basements. Drywall panels are also economical and can be easily repaired if damaged.
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Brick Veneer
A brick veneer is a viable option if you want your basement wall to last. Made of thin slats of brick, it is quite popular in homes with a distinctive executive appearance. The only drawback of using brick veneer is the high cost. (Types of Basement Walls)
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Plastic Paneling
Plastic paneling is ideal for basements built in damp locations where leaks can occur from water seeping through cracks in the walls. Basement plastic wall panels have a feature that allows them to drain water into a trough installed behind the wall.
In addition, plastic panels are cheap and easy to install. However, they can be easily damaged. (Types of Basement Walls)
- Plywood Paneling
Plywood paneling can be used to cover a large basement area. Wood is usually treated to waterproof or become resistant to water, but this does not apply to the decorative wallboard panels you may want to consider when decorating a wall.
Plywood paneling can either be laminated or sanded. The latter is made from thin layers of wood veneer and can be painted, stained or left as is. Laminated plywood paneling is also thinner and more widely used, but it is prone to damage. (Types of Basement Walls)
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Wooden Planks
When finishing a basement using wood planks for the wall, materials such as cedar, redwood, birch and knotty pine are often used. The latter is a popular basement material and is in great demand. Wood planks are known for their durability, but they are not fireproof and can be expensive. (Types of Basement Walls)
Important achievements
Only some basements are created equal, and many still need to be completed. This is probably because most basements are often used as storage areas, so they rarely get much attention. This should be different as the basement can be considered a part of the house’s foundation.
Given this, homeowners should consider what type of wall they should have in their basements. Poured concrete is the most popular, but many other basement wall ideas are available. The key is to ensure that your basement wall is generally strong enough to withstand all kinds of disasters.
Hope this article about “10 Types of Basement Walls” guided you well.
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