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lnia

Poured basement and concrete block

lynn
12 years ago

Hello,

We are debating 10 vs 9 ft ceilings for our basement ( due to additional cost). Contractor suggested 9 ft poured and 1 ft cinder blocks to minimize cost of 10 ft poured. Any cons with this decision? I know cinder is not as sturdy ( more cracks, potential for water, etc ) but don't know if one row will be that noticeable or big concern. We are planning on finishing the basement eventually.

Thanks!

Comments (5)

  • PRO
    Epiarch Designs
    12 years ago

    I have no idea how big your basement is (wall perimeter) but I can not imagine you would save hardly anything on that change. Keep it all poured, if anything. More cost will be associated with 9' studs vs 8' studs, 54" gyp, etc. Also not sure what you are planning on putting in the basement, but 8' is pretty typical with 9' pushing as the new standard. So 10'?....seems like 9' is plenty high to me.

  • worthy
    12 years ago

    There may indeed by a savings!

    And in my area many basements were built this way for exactly that reason.

    Here's how the savings works: Forms typically come in either 8 or 10 ft. heights. Concrete forming companies charge a premium for bringing in, setting up and stripping the higher forms. So, to get greater ceiling height in the basement, the builder will add a row of one or two concrete (not cinder) blocks.

    Now, personally, I prefer the greater lateral strength of poured vs. concrete masonry units and the speed of construction. However, I have added two rows where there was a mistake in the excavation depth or the customer decided they wanted greater ceiling height than the plans showed. (You have to watch the roof height in that case!)

    Local costs may well change the balance.

    As for basement heights: If you want eight foot clear, you must go to nine feet to conceal ducts and services. However, if the basement is deep below grade, you might reconsider ten foot heights, unless there's a walkout on one side. When you have to stand on a step ladder to even reach the sill of a basement window, more than a bit of claustrophobia may set in.

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    "one or two concrete (not cinder) blocks."

    The description "concrete blocks" is barely any more accurate than "cinder blocks."

    I have worked on older houses that had actual cement block.
    Straight Portland cement with no filler.

    They are incredibly hard after almost 100 years.
    The stopped even .27 caliber powder loads cold after barely 1 inch of penetration.
    1/4 inch carbide tipped masonry bits only lasted a single hole.
    We ended up using diamond bits and water.

    Cinder was an early filler in blocks.
    It was cheap, and an original 'recycle' type idea (coal power plants still have tons of cinders to dispose of even now).
    It also resulted in blocks that ate any metal in contact very badly.

  • bus_driver
    12 years ago

    10' is my choice. The concrete block is the least desirable of the choices in my opinion. But it probably remains the most popular choice. I continue to be completely satisfied with the 10' Superior Walls installed in 2003.

  • lynn
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Thanks for the feedback everyone, I guess the price difference to add the blocks for the one foot versus 10 ft all poured is in the $5k range. Now, we just need to figure out if it is worth it versus just keeping the 9 poured..