Can you please tell me the main reason you chose the superior basement? We are breaking ground in march.
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There were several factors that we considered. None was a clear winner, but when considered in total, nudged the decision to use Superior Walls.
1) Unknown soil and water issues when we were in the design phase.
2) They guarantee a dry basement for 15 years. I could not get that kind of guarantee from anyone else.
3) Faster install. Ok, you can say that poured walls would be only a few days later especially since we went with a poured footing anyway, but I do save on time in other areas such as insulating. Given that I am doing much of the work after rough framing, spending 1 week of evenings after work just to do the insulation is one week I could be doing something else.
4) Given the amount of backfill I will be doing, code says I have to go to 10" poured walls if I want to backfill higher than 6'. That is 25% more concrete, which is a 25% in increase in material cost. I can go higher on backfill with superior due to the engineering and their certifications as such.
5) Cost. See #4. In addition, if I wanted to go to 9' walls the same as superior, that cost extra for form work as well as material. The additional costs in these scenarios reduces the additional up front costs of superior walls.
6) Easier mechanical installation. I will put plywood up to secure mechanicals (electric, plumbing, home entertainment, etc) and I can simply screw to the galvanized rib/stud. if poured concrete, I have to drill/tapcon or similar. In addition, there will be about a dozen outlets 48" up in the basement and running the electric for outlets is easier as they have raceways poured in already. Attaching them to the ribs is easier too.
7) If we choose to finish any portion of the basement, I can simply screw the drywall to the ribs. I won't have to build a wall inside the walls or add stringers to nail too as I would have to do if it was poured concrete.
As I said, none of these is a compelling reason on it's own. But add them all together and it tipped the scale.
BTW: We went with the 9' tall walls as the stone and slab will reduce the overall height by 8" and I would not want to loose that much from an 8' wall.