Building a basement has numerous advantages. However, the construction is quite complex. The following instructions show step-by-step how it works and what to look out for.

In a nutshell

  • Orientation of the door is crucial
  • Ventilation must be ensured
  • Ground cellars have numerous advantages
  • Ready-made kits are available
  • possible depth depends on the height of the groundwater

Instructions as PDF

We have summarized the building instructions for your self-built earth cellar in a clear PDF. You can download it for free by clicking on the following button:

Definition: earth cellar

This special type of basement is a room that is largely underground. It is suitable, among other things, for storing fruit, vegetables, preserves and for overwintering plants. As a rule, an earth cellar is only partially underground and the door is in a side wall. The roof can be covered with earth but also remain free.

Advantages of the basement

The advantages of the earth cellar include:

  • Due to the comparatively high humidity, fruit and vegetables stay fresh for longer
  • remains frost-free
  • no electricity required, therefore no follow-up costs
  • relatively even temperature between three and eight degrees Celsius
  • environmentally friendly
  • versatile

For example, it can serve as a wine cellar, keep flower bulbs safely frost-free in winter, or serve as storage during a large harvest. With the right construction, it also has a long service life. This makes the investment worthwhile, especially in the long term.

Possible disadvantages

In addition to the numerous advantages of the earth cellar, there are also disadvantages. These are, for example:

  • initially high costs for material and tools
  • extensive planning required
  • relatively large effort in the construction

Kits as an alternative

A ready-made kit is a comparatively simple solution for building an earth cellar quickly and without great manual skills. You only have to dig and pour the foundation yourself. However, all the material is included in the kit as well as a construction plan, so that construction can begin immediately and the effort is reduced.

planning

The first and most important step when building an earth cellar is comprehensive planning. For this purpose, the floor plan and the depth are first determined. When considering the depth, note that the basement must be protected from groundwater. You also need a permit for the construction. This also applies if the property is your property. Responsible for this is the building authority, which can be reached via the city administration or the municipal administration. Here you can also find out how deep the foundation can and may be dug. At least 1.0 to 1.20 meters should be possible.
Also plan for the following factors:

  • Ventilation to protect against mold
  • Drainage to prevent waterlogging under the foundation
  • The size depends on the available space and the need
  • choose correct location
  • Orient the door to the north

The most important thing is whether it should be an earth cellar or an earth heap. If the room is open at the top and is completely underground, it is an underground rent. With an opening built into the side, there is talk of an earth cellar that is only partially underground. However, the terms are not always clearly separated from each other and are often used synonymously.

When planning, the desired use and the required size of the earth cellar should be taken into account.

site selection

When choosing the location, you also have to consider a few points. It refers to:

  • height of the groundwater
  • Possibility of covering the basement with earth
  • sunshine

It is best to choose a shady spot on the north side. The door should also face north. In this way, the basement does not heat up as much because there is less solar radiation. The roof of the earth cellar can be covered with earth. This is very easy to do, especially in hillside gardens. The earth provides additional insulation and keeps the temperature constant. However, this measure is not absolutely necessary.

material

Materials needed include:

  • Exhaust shaft or hose or ventilation pipe
  • concrete
  • boards for the formwork
  • filling sand
  • Perforated bricks
  • gravel
  • hinges
  • gravel
  • steel mesh
  • pond liner
  • door

tool

In order to build an earth cellar, however, various tools and machines are required. This includes:

  • concrete mixer
  • drilling machine
  • ladder
  • trowel
  • gauge
  • mini excavator
  • mixer attachment
  • vibrating plate
  • Saw with cutting blade for stone
  • spade
  • level

manual

When site selection and planning are complete, you can begin building the basement. This requires the following steps:

  • Mark out and dig a pit: A marked, rectangular pit can be dug with a mini excavator. The floor and the side walls are then compacted and the walls are provided with formwork made of four boards. This creates a clear finish and accelerates the hardening of the concrete.
  • Insert drainage: A mixture of gravel and sand is recommended as the base layer. The individual layers are each compacted with the vibrating plate. Close-meshed wire can already be inserted to provide additional protection against rodents.
  • Lay the foundation: The concrete foundation is now poured onto the prepared base and leveled with a masonry trowel to achieve a smooth floor. After the concrete has completely dried and hardened, bricklaying can begin. This usually takes several days.
  • build walls: Mortar is applied to the foundation and the perforated bricks are aligned to it. Use a spirit level continuously to achieve a clean finish and an even flow. Also fill the joints between the stones with mortar so that the walls have a good density. For the second row, place the bricks offset to the first row. This increases stability. Plan the recess for the door opening.
  • Integrate ventilation: A ventilation option must be installed in the last row below the roof. Tubes or hoses can be used for this, for example. They are used for air exchange and prevent too much moisture from accumulating in the basement.
  • put on the roof: Place steel sheets on the last completed row of bricks and fasten them to the bricks with mortar or angle brackets. You can then apply one or more final rows of stones.
  • Attach door: You can either use a door frame or attach a simple door with hinges. In addition, you can use pond liner as an interior lining, as this forms an additional protective layer. It is also possible to cover the earth cellar with earth after building. A layer of 20 to 30 centimeters is already sufficient.

Tip: You can easily hire mini excavators, vibratory plates and mixers from a hardware store. This keeps costs down.

Basement with stairs

A simple door in a side wall is sufficient for small earth cellars with a subterranean depth of at least one meter. However, this can make access more difficult if the room is larger.
However, if each side wall is more than 1.5 meters long, you should increase the total height of the cellar to two meters. This makes it easier to fill and empty the earth cellar. With paving slabs, however, you can create steps that make it easier to enter the room.

frequently asked Questions

Are there alternatives to the earth cellar?

Yes, for example, an underground heap can be created. The process is much easier and the application is cheaper. However, the space for this is limited and you must expect the intrusion of animals.

What is a ground rent?

It is a pit dug in the ground. A grid or air-permeable but strong container is placed to protect the vegetables and to prevent animals from eating the stored stock. The opening is at the top.

What is the cost of an earth cellar?

There is no blanket answer to this question. The costs can vary greatly. For a kit alone, however, you have to reckon with up to several thousand euros.

Category:

Garden design