Underground House~ want your opinion - Page 2

Angel · 03-15-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelGirl

I'll take pictures tomorrow when we go to meet the owner. and post some so ya'll can get an idea what it looks like! thanks!

Ohhhohhh

pictures pictures!! ....

Once again Congraulation on your new underground home!! I'm very happy for you and your hubby,

JeepGirl · 03-15-2007, 02:35 PM

You guys have made a really good post, I have put alot of thoughts on this and I decided to go ahead and get the house.

we have 4 windows up front so we'll have lights. In our bedroom, daughter's room, living room and kitchen all have windows.. but the rest in the back doesn't.. which is another room, bathroom and laundry room. we have 2 huge carport underground too so that'll leave us some air as well.

That's a good idea to have the radon checked out. I wondered how can I find someone to come and check what the levels are. the house is about 20 years old and very well-maintained. I'll take a pix when I can and you all can see what I'm talking about. I tried to find in google similar to my new home but nothing looks like that but just a idea what underground homes look like.

Ga, yes, we're moving there in 2 weeks. If you do ever come to alabama and need to crash in.. we got room.. oh geez... room! its been sooooooooooo long since I could say "we got room for you" there is a detached sun room with a sink and a bathroom. amazing!!! I just so love that place! I'm very excited!

Liebling:-))) · 03-15-2007, 02:40 PM

wow very interesting... I never see like this before... I´m looking forward to see pictures, RebelGirl...

I´m happy for you & your family to make a right decision before buy underground house.

Best of Good Luck...

Tousi · 03-15-2007, 04:06 PM

Reba, about the Lowcountry and not being able to have these houses there because of the water table. I really think that there's a big distinction between an earth-bermed home and a basement home. Obviously, a basement home wouldn't work, as you said; however, an earth-bermed home would be carved out of the side of a hill or on flat ground and then the dirt bermed up and enclose the home except for the front.

LakeTahoe · 03-15-2007, 04:41 PM

COOL!!! I gotta come and VISIT!

Sound like a great house to live in! AWESOME! Make sure ya get plenty of pictures!

So have a happy moving to a new home!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelGirl

You guys have made a really good post, I have put alot of thoughts on this and I decided to go ahead and get the house.

we have 4 windows up front so we'll have lights. In our bedroom, daughter's room, living room and kitchen all have windows.. but the rest in the back doesn't.. which is another room, bathroom and laundry room. we have 2 huge carport underground too so that'll leave us some air as well.

That's a good idea to have the radon checked out. I wondered how can I find someone to come and check what the levels are. the house is about 20 years old and very well-maintained. I'll take a pix when I can and you all can see what I'm talking about. I tried to find in google similar to my new home but nothing looks like that but just a idea what underground homes look like.

Ga, yes, we're moving there in 2 weeks. If you do ever come to alabama and need to crash in.. we got room.. oh geez... room! its been sooooooooooo long since I could say "we got room for you" there is a detached sun room with a sink and a bathroom. amazing!!! I just so love that place! I'm very excited!

shel90 · 03-15-2007, 04:55 PM

Very interesting!

For me, I probably could live in an underground house if a part of it allows sunlight in. I need natural sunlight during the day if possilbe. Reba mentioned something about molds so if I were to get an underground house, I would have to seriously check that issue out cuz I have severe allergies.

Anyways, congrats Rebelgirl on your new home! Yep, cant wait for the pics.

Are underground houses more expensive than above-ground houses?

I am sure in AZ they probably are cuz the desert ground is hard as rocks and special explosives are needed to create basements. I cant even imagine what the costs would be for building an underground house in AZ or in any cities or towns on a desert.

I am sure the electricity bill will be soooo much lower during those hot summers! LOL!

horselover61 · 03-15-2007, 05:18 PM

I have seen a few house are underground near my house. look like a barn but the house is half way down in the ground.

TweetyBird · 03-15-2007, 08:36 PM

ahh good lucky for got house smiles..

Reba · 03-16-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tousi

Reba, about the Lowcountry and not being able to have these houses there because of the water table. I really think that there's a big distinction between an earth-bermed home and a basement home. Obviously, a basement home wouldn't work, as you said; however, an earth-bermed home would be carved out of the side of a hill or on flat ground and then the dirt bermed up and enclose the home except for the front.

We don't have any hills. When I say Lowcountry, I mean LOW and FLAT.

They could be bermed if soil was brought in from somewhere else. The soil is clay here. I just haven't seen anyone do it here yet.

The water table is so high here that when people hand dig holes for fence posts, water bubbles up. When people want to install "inground" pools, they actually build up berms in which to set the pools. Even then, most of them have flexible liners instead of concrete because the water underneath pushes up and cracks the concrete. Same thing happens to some driveways; they crack from the underground water.

Some of downtown Charleston's streets flood during high tide on full moon nights. They also flood during rain storms because the water can't drain off the streets; they're just a little above sea level, so the water has no place to go. Crazy, huh?

Reba · 03-16-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelGirl

...Ga, yes, we're moving there in 2 weeks. If you do ever come to alabama and need to crash in.. we got room.. oh geez... room! its been sooooooooooo long since I could say "we got room for you" there is a detached sun room with a sink and a bathroom. amazing!!! I just so love that place! I'm very excited!

We should all show up and throw a house warming party!

LakeTahoe · 03-16-2007, 01:03 PM

What a great idea but sad that we are too far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

We should all show up and throw a house warming party!

Liebling:-))) · 03-16-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeTahoe

What a great idea but sad that we are too far!

Reba´s suggestion is a wonderful... I can get Superman to fly me over RebelGirl´s underground house...

This is only a dream...

GalaxyAngel · 03-16-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeTahoe

COOL!!! I gotta come and VISIT!

Sound like a great house to live in! AWESOME! Make sure ya get plenty of pictures!

So have a happy moving to a new home!

Lake Tahoe..
err, Rebelgirl mentioned ME... not for everyone.. LOL
I recommend read it again "ga" who is.. it's me!

Tousi · 03-16-2007, 02:23 PM

Thanks, Reba, for the expanded explanation of lowcountry.

Rebel, congrats to you! Hmmm, do you know what material the actual roof is made of? I would imagine it is cast concrete and then the dirt placed on top. You mentioned windows which is good and critical. When you go thru the house, get an over-all feeling for it. Some earth-bermed homes, depending on design CAN be depressing, give you that closed in feeling. It should be airy and bright (bright colored paints, lighting, etc). Also critical is the eaves in front. If it was done right 20 years ago, a measurement should have been taken then to determine how far out the eaves should be for your immediate area. The result of this measurement/engineering to determine how far the eaves jut out will be based on the sun. You want the eaves to block out the high summer sun but not so far out that the eaves block out the low winter sun when you want heat gain, yadda, yadda, yadda. Some of these homes can be really air-tight but the house needs to re-fresh the air several times a day for safety. If the balance was struck right 20 years ago, you might be able to toast some bread and the house is warm, lol! You should have really low utility bills. Maybe ask to see the history of the utility bills for a year or two.

I better stop here, lol. U just do/feel/determine what is right for you and your family by touring the place and ask a few critical questions. Best regards in this new venture!!

JeepGirl · 03-16-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

We should all show up and throw a house warming party!

would be nice... just to see everyone!

FeistyChick · 03-16-2007, 02:37 PM

i don't know too much about "underground houses"... but i lived in a basement apt and so did my sister... NO LIGHTS... AND ALSO OUR FOOD GOT MOLDY VERY FAST!

and also it is VERY BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH... because you "breath" in the "basement air" that is moldy and all that...

i got sick a few times from it... it is NOT WORTH IT... but if this house is checked throughly, built very well to prevent mold, etc... then go for it!!!

lastly, do you "care" about sunlight? cuz i do... i must have LOTS OF LIGHT/SUNLIGHT or i get depressed...

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK on your first new home though!!!

JeepGirl · 03-16-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tousi

Thanks, Reba, for the expanded explanation of lowcountry.

Rebel, congrats to you! Hmmm, do you know what material the actual roof is made of? I would imagine it is cast concrete and then the dirt placed on top. You mentioned windows which is good and critical. When you go thru the house, get an over-all feeling for it. Some earth-bermed homes, depending on design CAN be depressing, give you that closed in feeling. It should be airy and bright (bright colored paints, lighting, etc). Also critical is the eaves in front. If it was done right 20 years ago, a measurement should have been taken then to determine how far out the eaves should be for your immediate area. The result of this measurement/engineering to determine how far the eaves jut out will be based on the sun. You want the eaves to block out the high summer sun but not so far out that the eaves block out the low winter sun when you want heat gain, yadda, yadda, yadda. Some of these homes can be really air-tight but the house needs to re-fresh the air several times a day for safety. If the balance was struck right 20 years ago, you might be able to toast some bread and the house is warm, lol! You should have really low utility bills. Maybe ask to see the history of the utility bills for a year or two.

I better stop here, lol. U just do/feel/determine what is right for you and your family by touring the place and ask a few critical questions. Best regards in this new venture!!

I think the house has enough air to breathe and there are 4 front windows that we'll be able to look out and the lighting too.

the inside does have some bright colors in there which i hate. but its bright colors though.

the utility bill is very low as what I was told.

and thank you !

Tousi · 03-16-2007, 02:48 PM

Rebel, sorry, I should have asked this question first.....just for my own curiosity: Is this an earth-bermed home...meaning the roof is covered with dirt/grass, etc? OR is it a basement home, meaning the entire roof is exposed and is about 6-8 feet above the ground with a front door where you go up some stairs to the door and then go down stairs to enter the home below? Reason I ask this is when I was 2 yrs old, we lived in a basement home(my second description above) for a very short time.

Either way, congrats again.....

JeepGirl · 03-16-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeistyChick

i don't know too much about "underground houses"... but i lived in a basement apt and so did my sister... NO LIGHTS... AND ALSO OUR FOOD GOT MOLDY VERY FAST!

and also it is VERY BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH... because you "breath" in the "basement air" that is moldy and all that...

i got sick a few times from it... it is NOT WORTH IT... but if this house is checked throughly, built very well to prevent mold, etc... then go for it!!!

lastly, do you "care" about sunlight? cuz i do... i must have LOTS OF LIGHT/SUNLIGHT or i get depressed...

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK on your first new home though!!!

well I've said several times in here that we do have 4 windows and a side door where it can breathe in and out the kitchen is near the window. the house is not fully underground.. its like half way.. so i think it will be okay.. i love sunlights but i also love living in the woods. living in the woods has always been my thing so i didn't get much lights. where we're moving too is the same thing.. woods, underground and some sun plus windows. I believe it'll work out!

JeepGirl · 03-16-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tousi

Rebel, sorry, I should have asked this question first.....just for my own curiosity: Is this an earth-bermed home...meaning the roof is covered with dirt/grass, etc? OR is it a basement home, meaning the entire roof is exposed and is about 6-8 feet above the ground with a front door where you go up some stairs to the door and then go down stairs to enter the home below? Reason I ask this is when I was 2 yrs old, we lived in a basement home(my second description above) for a very short time.

Either way, congrats again.....

its more of a basement home the entire roof shows but the back bedrooms are under the ground our driveway is down hill to the house i'm going to take some pictures today. I'm suppose to meet them this afternoon so you guys will see what i'm talking about.

Tousi · 03-16-2007, 02:54 PM

Feistychick, the absence of windows, etc like you mentioned is not necessarily the main culprit regarding the problems. It is most likely due to poor design, especially venting for air exchange........but I know what you mean about the feeling of confinement, etcx but those problems are all easily overcome by proper engineering and design.

Rebel, oh, in the woods? Cool, that's something I can definitely relate to! So I'm guessing you will be outside the city limits and will run the home either totally electric or have propane or both??

Angel · 03-16-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelGirl

well I've said several times in here that we do have 4 windows and a side door where it can breathe in and out the kitchen is near the window. the house is not fully underground.. its like half way.. so i think it will be okay.. i love sunlights but i also love living in the woods. living in the woods has always been my thing so i didn't get much lights. where we're moving too is the same thing.. woods, underground and some sun plus windows. I believe it'll work out!

Yeah it will work out great

, I live in a wooden area my backyard looks like a forest LOL, but love the shade in the back and front yard...IF I need to lay out in the sun, I can lay out on my drive-way while you lay on top of your roof..

Liebling:-))) · 03-16-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeistyChick

i don't know too much about "underground houses"... but i lived in a basement apt and so did my sister... NO LIGHTS... AND ALSO OUR FOOD GOT MOLDY VERY FAST!

and also it is VERY BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH... because you "breath" in the "basement air" that is moldy and all that...

i got sick a few times from it... it is NOT WORTH IT... but if this house is checked throughly, built very well to prevent mold, etc... then go for it!!!

lastly, do you "care" about sunlight? cuz i do... i must have LOTS OF LIGHT/SUNLIGHT or i get depressed...

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK on your first new home though!!!

Every houses with basement are common here in Germany. I own the house with basement. I put vegetables in small storage room of 4 rooms basement... homemade jams, vegetables, fruits, drink, etc keep cool longer in the basement. The room must be dark and keep foods longer and health. We have fresh air on the wall between outside and inside to fresh air the basement. We would get warn from health department about basement but they didn´t.

Liebling:-))) · 03-16-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelGirl

its more of a basement home the entire roof shows but the back bedrooms are under the ground our driveway is down hill to the house i'm going to take some pictures today. I'm suppose to meet them this afternoon so you guys will see what i'm talking about.

I cannnoottt wait to see pictures...

03-15-2007, 02:40 PM	#33 (permalink)
Liebling:-))) Hiiiiiii it's meeeeee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 24,839	wow very interesting... I never see like this before... I´m looking forward to see pictures, RebelGirl... I´m happy for you & your family to make a right decision before buy underground house. Best of Good Luck... __________________ sniffing you

03-15-2007, 04:55 PM	#36 (permalink)
shel90 Sun Whorshipper Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A Desert Rat that has found herself in Maryland Posts: 13,551 Blog Entries: 1	Very interesting! For me, I probably could live in an underground house if a part of it allows sunlight in. I need natural sunlight during the day if possilbe. Reba mentioned something about molds so if I were to get an underground house, I would have to seriously check that issue out cuz I have severe allergies. Anyways, congrats Rebelgirl on your new home! Yep, cant wait for the pics. Are underground houses more expensive than above-ground houses? I am sure in AZ they probably are cuz the desert ground is hard as rocks and special explosives are needed to create basements. I cant even imagine what the costs would be for building an underground house in AZ or in any cities or towns on a desert. I am sure the electricity bill will be soooo much lower during those hot summers! LOL! __________________ ~Shel~

03-16-2007, 02:37 PM	#46 (permalink)
FeistyChick HOPELESS IN LOVE! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: "WINDY CITY!!!" Posts: 4,152	i don't know too much about "underground houses"... but i lived in a basement apt and so did my sister... NO LIGHTS... AND ALSO OUR FOOD GOT MOLDY VERY FAST! and also it is VERY BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH... because you "breath" in the "basement air" that is moldy and all that... i got sick a few times from it... it is NOT WORTH IT... but if this house is checked throughly, built very well to prevent mold, etc... then go for it!!! lastly, do you "care" about sunlight? cuz i do... i must have LOTS OF LIGHT/SUNLIGHT or i get depressed... CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK on your first new home though!!! __________________ HE IS MY SUNSHINE N MY ROCK! Right ear- Nucleus Freedom IMPLANTED: 1/11/07 ACTIVATED: 1/29/07

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03-15-2007, 02:35 PM	#32 (permalink)
JeepGirl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In the South Posts: 6,176	You guys have made a really good post, I have put alot of thoughts on this and I decided to go ahead and get the house. we have 4 windows up front so we'll have lights. In our bedroom, daughter's room, living room and kitchen all have windows.. but the rest in the back doesn't.. which is another room, bathroom and laundry room. we have 2 huge carport underground too so that'll leave us some air as well. That's a good idea to have the radon checked out. I wondered how can I find someone to come and check what the levels are. the house is about 20 years old and very well-maintained. I'll take a pix when I can and you all can see what I'm talking about. I tried to find in google similar to my new home but nothing looks like that but just a idea what underground homes look like. Ga, yes, we're moving there in 2 weeks. If you do ever come to alabama and need to crash in.. we got room.. oh geez... room! its been sooooooooooo long since I could say "we got room for you" there is a detached sun room with a sink and a bathroom. amazing!!! I just so love that place! I'm very excited!

03-15-2007, 04:06 PM	#34 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,026	Reba, about the Lowcountry and not being able to have these houses there because of the water table. I really think that there's a big distinction between an earth-bermed home and a basement home. Obviously, a basement home wouldn't work, as you said; however, an earth-bermed home would be carved out of the side of a hill or on flat ground and then the dirt bermed up and enclose the home except for the front.

03-15-2007, 05:18 PM	#37 (permalink)
horselover61 Neigh!!! Neigh!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,183 Blog Entries: 2	I have seen a few house are underground near my house. look like a barn but the house is half way down in the ground.

03-15-2007, 08:36 PM	#38 (permalink)
TweetyBird LOOK AT ILY MAGNETS! Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21,207	ahh good lucky for got house smiles..

03-16-2007, 02:23 PM	#44 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,026	Thanks, Reba, for the expanded explanation of lowcountry. Rebel, congrats to you! Hmmm, do you know what material the actual roof is made of? I would imagine it is cast concrete and then the dirt placed on top. You mentioned windows which is good and critical. When you go thru the house, get an over-all feeling for it. Some earth-bermed homes, depending on design CAN be depressing, give you that closed in feeling. It should be airy and bright (bright colored paints, lighting, etc). Also critical is the eaves in front. If it was done right 20 years ago, a measurement should have been taken then to determine how far out the eaves should be for your immediate area. The result of this measurement/engineering to determine how far the eaves jut out will be based on the sun. You want the eaves to block out the high summer sun but not so far out that the eaves block out the low winter sun when you want heat gain, yadda, yadda, yadda. Some of these homes can be really air-tight but the house needs to re-fresh the air several times a day for safety. If the balance was struck right 20 years ago, you might be able to toast some bread and the house is warm, lol! You should have really low utility bills. Maybe ask to see the history of the utility bills for a year or two. I better stop here, lol. U just do/feel/determine what is right for you and your family by touring the place and ask a few critical questions. Best regards in this new venture!!

03-16-2007, 02:48 PM	#48 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,026	Rebel, sorry, I should have asked this question first.....just for my own curiosity: Is this an earth-bermed home...meaning the roof is covered with dirt/grass, etc? OR is it a basement home, meaning the entire roof is exposed and is about 6-8 feet above the ground with a front door where you go up some stairs to the door and then go down stairs to enter the home below? Reason I ask this is when I was 2 yrs old, we lived in a basement home(my second description above) for a very short time. Either way, congrats again.....

03-16-2007, 02:54 PM	#51 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,026	Feistychick, the absence of windows, etc like you mentioned is not necessarily the main culprit regarding the problems. It is most likely due to poor design, especially venting for air exchange........but I know what you mean about the feeling of confinement, etcx but those problems are all easily overcome by proper engineering and design. Rebel, oh, in the woods? Cool, that's something I can definitely relate to! So I'm guessing you will be outside the city limits and will run the home either totally electric or have propane or both??