Chattanooga, Nashville, and Knoxville each have about 17 to 21 percent of homes with basements.
What Percent of Tennessee Homes Have Basements?
| Tennessee County and City | Percent of Homes with Basements |
|---|---|
| Washington County (Johnson City) | 39% |
Why don’t they build basements in Tennessee?
The main reason that basements are not a thing in the South is the damp soil. States that have a lot of swamp land or wetland territory, as well as those with significant amounts of coastline, just have too much water in the ground to make most basements feasible.
Which state has the most basements?
On average, in the United States, basements are most commonly found in the Midwest. This includes states such as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri.
What percentage of houses have basements?
Fewer than a quarter (24.3 percent) of single-family homes built in 2018 have basements, according to NAHB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction in a recent Eye on Housing blog post.
Do homes in Knoxville have basements?
If you’re thinking about buying a home with a basement in the Knoxville area, you’re in luck! Homes with basements are very common in this area and area available in all price ranges. That said, the question you need to ask yourself before considering a home with a basement is whether or not you need one.
Can you have a basement in Tennessee?
Generally, homes in Tennessee do not have basements. This is due, in part, to the fact that most homes are built on crawl space foundations. Concrete slabs are also a common choice.
Why do homes in Tennessee have basements?
Freezing soil can cause a home to shift or destabilize. That’s why basements are more common in colder climates because the deep foundation anchors the home below the frost line. This is part of the reason why the mountainous counties in eastern Tennessee have more basements.
How safe are basements in a tornado?
Basement. If you have a basement or storm cellar, that may be the safest place to be in a tornado. Basements are underground and offer more protection than any other room in your home. Find a sturdy object to hide underneath, such as a workbench.
Why are basements not common in the South?
Frost Lines
The frost line in northern states tends to be several feet below ground, so basements are a helpful addition. In the South, the frost line is closer to the surface, so building deeper isn’t necessary.
Why are there no basements in Florida?
Damp soil is the major culprit in most cases of missing basements in the southern states. Most parts of Florida, Louisiana, and eastern Texas have swaths of wetland or swamps or significant coastlines. So, there’s just too much water underground to make basement construction feasible.
Is a basement or slab better?
When space is limited (with total footprint and height restrictions) a basement foundation may be the best option, but if space allows there is a strong case for avoiding basements altogether and choosing to build a slab-on-grade instead.
Why do some houses have no basement?
Basements built in California are often below sea level, so extra measures must be taken to prevent flooding and other water-related issues. Most contractors working in California try to reduce expenses wherever possible, and excluding basements from homes fulfills this goal.
Is it good to have a basement?
Basement Storage Space
With this extra space, you can create an organized storage area where all of your precious items are easily located and accessed. Additionally, it is also a perfect place to store backup food storage and other canned goods that can become cluttered if kept in your normal living space.
Are there basements in Nashville?
Basements are more common in some other parts of the country than in Middle Tennessee, where rocky conditions encourage the use of crawl spaces or concrete slab construction. “Many people relocating from areas where basements are a staple are really excited to see them here because they are so rare,” said Lucy.
What are winters like in Tennessee?
Except for in the mountainous east, Tennessee’s winters are pretty mild. Between December and February the daytime highs hover around 50°F, dropping off to around freezing at night. It doesn’t snow much except for in the Appalachians, and even then it’s often in the form of sleet and ice.
What is considered a finished basement in Tennessee?
In order for a basement to be considered finished, it must have a permanently installed heating and cooling unit with a continuous power source (such as an HVAC system, electricity, natural gas, a permanently installed propane tank, or heating oil).
Where in Tennessee is the best place to live?
Here are the best places to live in Tennessee: Nashville. Knoxville. Chattanooga.
- Nashville.
- Knoxville. Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 41.
- Chattanooga. Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 49.
- Memphis. Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 143.
Do homes in Georgia have basements?
Generally, Georgia homes do not have basements included. Georgia’s soil type, climate, and water table level are not conducive to a basement or makes a strong need for one. With warm temperatures and clay soils, Georgia isn’t the ideal state to have a basement.
What is the point of a basement?
Originally, root cellars almost exclusively stored items that needed to be kept cooler before the invention of the refrigerator. However, the modern basement tends to have a more expansive purpose. The move toward a larger, more furnished basement probably speaks to its usage as an additional living and storage space.
Can you survive an f5 tornado in a basement?
EF5. Barring a storm cellar or a specially constructed, reinforced room, a basement is the place where you’re likeliest to survive a direct hit from a tornado. It’s a pretty good bet, but it’s not failsafe.
What corner of the basement is safest in a tornado?
Keep your windows closed when a storm occurs. MYTH: The southwest corner of a basement is the safest area of your home. TORNADO SAFETY FACT: While it’s true that the basement is the safest place to hide from a storm, no corner of the basement is better than the other.