Underpinning vs. Benching: Increasing Basement Height

Basements with low ceilings are common, especially in older houses. However, your low ceiling can become a real problem since you can’t use all useful space for your purposes. Of course, you cannot raise the ceiling together with your house. Therefore, the only solution to increase the height of your basement is downward movement, that is, floor recess. To do this, you can use two popular methods. Bench footing vs underpinning: what is better for you? We will talk about the most critical points of the issue in this article.

During initial construction, achieving the desired basement depth is relatively simple. As for its deepening, you should pay attention to some points. Firstly, the fact that the old foundation may be higher than the new depth of your floor.

This means that the main thing is to carry out this work without compromising the integrity of the house’s structure or affecting its safety. When planning a project, it is necessary to consider that any shift in the foundation may damage the walls and even cause them to collapse.

To increase the height of the basement, choose reliable, safe methods tested by many homeowners. Among them are underpinning and benching. Both approaches allow you to avoid the difficulties associated with adding additional premises. Your basement already has walls, floors, and ceilings — you just need to make changes to the foundation. Features of the process and the result depend on the chosen approach.

This construction method involves digging a trench around the perimeter. The existing foundation in different basement parts will be removed, the soil excavated, and supports installed at a new depth. After the new base is hardened, it is necessary to restore the walls and lay the floor.

Thus, the existing foundation rests on the new one. Toronto underpinning services can increase height by 2–3 feet and improve energy efficiency by better sealing cold or hot air.

Basement bench footing is a faster and more accessible method. Like the previous one, it involves digging a trench around the perimeter. However, there is no need to dig the ground under the existing foundation and remove supports. It is enough to dig an area next to the wall, install a bench, and pour concrete into this space.

This means that the new support is poured next to the old one. If you want to hide the bench, you can place a stove and boiler on it, install a large closet (use the concrete base as the first shelf for shoes), or organize a laundry room in this place.

As we see, every method has its own characteristics. What is their key difference?

If we compare benching vs underpinning, the first method does not involve digging the soil below the existing foundation. At the same time, a bench is formed along the lower part of the wall, which some homeowners turn into useful space (e.g., a closet with shelves).

Benching is more cost-effective, given the smaller number and duration of work (several days). However, such a support can withstand medium and low loads only and increases height quite moderately.

Underpinning strengthens the structure and increases height significantly. It is evident that it requires several weeks and a larger budget.

In both cases, the house’s value increases because the basement becomes more convenient and functional.

When to Opt for Underpinning?

Choose this approach in cases where:

• initial foundation has become less durable due to changes in the soil (for example, subsidence) and requires strengthening;
• it is necessary to improve the capabilities of the existing foundation, e.g., to withstand the load of another floor;
• the stability of the structure has decreased due to any natural disasters (flood, earthquake, etc.);
• it is important to increase height significantly and make use of a vast space.

Thus, this is a reliable option for major transformations and strengthening of the foundation, which, for some reason (age or influence of external factors), has lost its ability to support the weight of the house.

When to Opt for Bench Pinning?

Pay attention to benching if:

• there are restrictions on budget and construction process timeframes since this method is affordable and fast;
• there is no need to withstand high loads and make significant changes;
• foundation shows signs of instability, but it does not require major structural changes;
• your goal is to moderately increase the basement height and make minor modifications to the interior.

It is a good choice in situations where you need to carry out work with minimal delays, without unnecessary expenses, and without obtaining many permits.

Next, we’ll look at why you should choose a particular approach and what the limitations of bench footing vs underpinning are.

We talked about the important features of each method, and now let’s combine the key points worth paying attention to.

Basement Lowering Methods That Maintain Space

Underpinning requires excavating soil and installing new supports under the existing foundation. With benching, everything is easier and faster: just dig an area near the wall and install a bench. So, in the first case, more space will be added than in the second one.

Bench Footing Preserves Your Home’s Foundation Integrity

The method does not require intervention in your foundation. The new support is poured next to the old one. It is the best option if there is no need to significantly strengthen the foundation, increase its load-bearing capacity, and protect it from natural disasters.

Consider Your Neighbor’s Approval When Lowering Your Basement

Underpinning involves serious intervention in the foundation of your house. Therefore, if you have a common wall with your neighbors, you need to coordinate all work with them. Consider that they might be against it. In this case, it’s definitely worth doing benching.

Opt for Bench Footing if Your Foundation Lacks Strength

This approach allows you to create a stable basis for walls. It is a good choice for strengthening a foundation that shows some signs of subsidence and reduced strength, but its structure does not require major changes.

Bench Footing Offers a Cost-Effective Solution

This option is more attractive from a financial point of view. No need to put in a lot of effort to dig up the soil, create supports, restore walls, and install a new floor. It reduces project implementation time and costs.

Whatever you prefer – underpinning vs. benching – you need the assistance of professionals. There are many companies in the construction services market offering their help. Your task is to choose someone capable of adapting to the unique characteristics of your project.

Take into account the contractor’s experience in solving such problems, especially if you have a complex situation (soil subsidence under your home, damaged foundation, etc.). Contact the company to discuss all requirements and possibilities, as well as to find out the preliminary cost of such work.

Faced with a choice between bench footing vs underpinning? Formulate your goals and assess your financial capabilities. If you want to optimize space in the shortest possible time and without extra costs, prefer the first option. If your goal is to simultaneously expand the basement and strengthen the foundation, the second option is for you. In any case, you will need a professional contractor with relevant experience.