A question about houses

[Proyas]

Whenever you're in the basement of a house, it's easy to hear footsteps, squeaky floor grinding sounds and other noises from the first floor above you. But if you're on the first floor, it's a lot harder to hear footsteps and other noises from the second floor above you.

What explains this difference?

[Knaur Amarsh]

My guess is that probably because the basement is insulated against outside sounds and the primary source of noise is from the floor above it, whereas on the first floor the muffling from outside ain't so.

[kuku]

May be sound made on the ground floors surface (like walking on the floors surface) can travel better compared to the sound made in the basement which has to pass through a opening (between the floors) and the walls.

??

[Proyas]

OK, let me pose this question more simply: How many of us live in two-story houses that also have a basement?

[Hands raise up]

OK. When you're on the first floor and someone is moving around in the second floor upstairs, can you hear their footsteps and the floor beneath their feet creaking loudly?

[Most say no]

OK. Now, when you're in the basement and someone is walking around on the first floor, can you hear their movements more loudly?

[Most say yes]

What explains this difference?

[Exarecr]

Your question is to say the least,a little baffling. You wouldn,t be nipping at the ole hobbit pipe.....would you.

[Officer of Engineers]

Your basement is supposed to be airtight. Your first floor isn't.

[zraver]

Your basement is supposed to be airtight. Your first floor isn't.

The ceilings in most basements are open, most first floor ceilings are insulated and enclosed providing baffles for the sounds.

[dalem]

Midichlorians.

-dale

[Proyas]

The ceilings in most basements are open, most first floor ceilings are insulated and enclosed providing baffles for the sounds.

That's probably it.

Kind of a weird question, but you don't have any links about the details of the design differences, do you?

[pate]

The ceilings in most basements are open, most first floor ceilings are insulated and enclosed providing baffles for the sounds.

The ceiling of the first floor and the floor of the second is a baffle in and of itself without insulation...

My question to Proyas would be is the basement in question finished? I.e. does the basement have a ceiling or is it open floor joists for the first floor?

Dang semantics...

[furkensturker]

Can someone explain why houses in the us have a basement? Is it an area that is below ground level? if so, why? Do all houses have a basement?

We build directly on the ground in the southern states, up north, they build "high set" houses, on stilts, supposedly to allow for a cool breeze to circulate underneath. But no one has a basement. Some may have a wine celler.

Freddie

[Mobbme]

Can someone explain why houses in the us have a basement? Is it an area that is below ground level? if so, why? Do all houses have a basement?

We build directly on the ground in the southern states, up north, they build "high set" houses, on stilts, supposedly to allow for a cool breeze to circulate underneath. But no one has a basement. Some may have a wine celler.

Freddie

I can't speak of houses in the US, but every house in Canada has a basement. My house is 3 floors/levels: the middle floor is the one that is basically ground level or a bit above it, the basement is completely built from underground, and then the highest level is where all the bedrooms are.

Not too far from where I live I've seen houses that are built completely above the ground -but still 3 floors- and to get to the backyard you have to walk out through the basement. I think thats only because the ground is uneven.

My old house was 2 levels/floors and the basement was underneath.

I can't believe you guys don't have basements in Australia :P

[Knaur Amarsh]

We build directly on the ground in the southern states, up north, they build "high set" houses, on stilts, supposedly to allow for a cool breeze to circulate underneath. But no one has a basement. Some may have a wine celler.

Well considering Aus. is at the bottom of the world, if you tried to build a basement, the house would probably fall right through into outer space.

[Albany Rifles]

Its because in the basement you can't hear those voices in your head as well as you can when you are on the 1st floor!

[furkensturker]

Well considering Aus. is at the bottom of the world, if you tried to build a basement, the house would probably fall right through into outer space.

Oz is only at the bottom of the world because everyone assumes that that North is up. Why can't South be up? Hmmm.

Freddie.