Going through the design stage for a custom home recently, our clients quickly realized that there are advantages and disadvantages to every different house style. After assessing what worked best to meet their particular needs we settled on a split entry. There were a few contributing factors that made a split entry the best option. One contributing factor was the location of the building lot. It is located close to the lake meaning that the water table is high. This meant that we did not want a full depth basement in order to avoid any water problems in the future.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Split Entry Homes

knight-construction-design One option would have been going with a crawlspace instead of a full basement to ensure that the footing height was above the water table. The disadvantage to this option was the fact that the crawlspace could not be used for additional living space. By going with a split entry we were only required to excavate approximately 4 ½ feet ensuring that we are above the water table. We also have a full 8 foot basement allowing for additional living space.

The fact that we wanted the additional living space in the basement also meant that a split entry was an excellent option. Having a bedroom in the basement as well as a family room we wanted large windows to allow for lots of light and ventilation. This is a definite advantage of a split entry home since the main floor level is approximately 4 feet above grade. This allows for 2 ½ to 3 foot high windows in the basement.

Eliminated the Unnecessary

A raised bungalow was a consideration since it would have also allowed for the minimal excavation depth as well as the larger basement windows. The disadvantage to the raised bungalow for our clients was the need for several exterior steps and decking. By going with a split entry we eliminated the exterior stairs since the foyer level is approximately 18 inches above grade. Our clients preferred the look of the split entry over the raised bungalow for this reason.

If you are planning to build a new home there will be advantages and disadvantages to each house style specific to your particular lot and location as well as your individual needs. Contact Alair Homes in Huntsville to discuss the advantages offered by each different style and understand which style is best for you.