In the southern United States, where there’s a lot of water in the ground, basements are rare. On the contrary, in the northern states and here in Canada, basements enjoy a well-deserved popularity due, among other things, to frost. But what about crawlspaces? What can they be used for? Stay with us as our experts explore the differences between a crawlspace and a basement!

The crawlspace and the basement are two types of structure used in building construction to separate the ground from the main dwelling, but they differ considerably in their design, use and characteristics.

Let’s start with the basement. A basement is a vast enclosed space located entirely or partially below the main level of a house. This area is high enough for a person to stand upright. It is generally built of concrete walls and requires waterproofing systems to minimize the risk of water infiltration. Since creating a basement requires relatively deep excavation, it’s more expensive to build. In the vast majority of cases, basements are accessed by an interior staircase and often feature windows for lighting and ventilation.

A basement is generally finished and used for a variety of purposes, such as a living room, office, bedroom, laundry room, playroom or storage space.

A crawlspace, on the other hand, is a smaller, partially enclosed space below the main level of a house. Most of the crawl spaces found in Quebec are made of masonry or concrete, with simple openings for ventilation. Unlike a basement, a crawlspace is not high enough for a person to stand upright, and must often be accessed on all fours. In fact, the height of a crawlspace generally varies between 30 cm and 1.20 m. For these reasons, the crawlspace is not designed to be used as a living space, or even for storage as such.

The main functions of a crawlspace are to protect the building against humidity and rising ground capillaries to improve aeration and ventilation under the house to prevent mold problems and material degradation, and to house the various mechanical systems.

Although we won’t dwell on this type of space here, it’s worth mentioning that there’s also the cellar. This is a basement used not as a living space, but rather for storage. The cellar is often a damp, poorly lit and poorly ventilated area, higher than a crawlspace, but less well equipped than a basement.

In short, a crawlspace is simpler and costs much less to build than a basement, but it only fulfills a functional role, whereas a basement is much more versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. It’s important to assess your needs and budget, and weigh up the pros and cons of these two types of foundation before starting construction.

Crawlspace or basement? If you’re not sure what’s best for you, contact us. Our building experts will guide you through the process over the phone, for a fraction of the cost of a site visit!