griser Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 I've been looking at House construction sites in Thailand and notice that none of the houses that I've seen have basements. Here in the states almost every house has a basement of some sort. Any idea why Thai's don't use them? Are they just useless to them or are they impratical? Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric1000 Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 I've been looking at House construction sites in Thailand and notice that none of the houses that I've seen have basements. Here in the states almost every house has a basement of some sort. Any idea why Thai's don't use them?Are they just useless to them or are they impratical? Greg the whole thinking is geared for houses on stilts to store the buffalos underneath the house and avoid flooding. i dont think they would even dream of going under the house due to the prospect of flooding at some time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Mist Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 In the villiage where we have a house, the water table rises quite high with heavy rains, a basement would be an expensive disater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Up2U Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 Basement swimming pool ? Water table is at ground level almost everywhere - but most hotels seem to have basements. Is it just that hotels and shopping malls have the money to spend on waterproofing such luxuries, whereas the average guy doesn't want his house to float away ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetyim Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 Also it is cheaper to build up rather than dig down. Make one if you wish, I used to have one and they stay quite cool. Whilst on the subject of house construction may I ask another question. Why do thai front doors open outwards, UK and US doors always open inwards ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chingy Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 in California we don't built house with basements, not anymore that is Why do thai front doors open outwards, UK and US doors always open inwards open out is totally wrong, wrong concept no matter how you put it, the people that built their house with door open out doesn't know any better. when door open inwards you're protecting other people, outwards meaning you want to bust someone nose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egeefay Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 In the west basements a generally a lot cooler in the summertime. You would think that the idea would be a big hit in a country like Thailand where the heat is oppressive. There are a lot of places in Thailand that are higher up and have good drainage. I've just never heard of anyone building a basement in a house. Of course it rains a lot more in Thailand than in the west. Does anyone know a reason why basements wouldn't work in Thailand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwkenny Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Reasons as stated previously why there aren't basements: High water table. Quality of construction. How many small residential developers would you trust to make a water tight basement that includes a flood control system that can handle the downpours in rainy season? Most developers can't even handle wire molding! Shifting ground. Though, I always wanted a house built into the side of a mountain. g- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 House designs make sense for where they are .. for the most part flooding is often a hugee issue here ... But also air flow is a major issue ... Imagine even in a dryISH basement the mold etc ... No basements in New Orleans etc ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qualtrough Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 When our house was built it was about 1 meter above the ground. I decided to use that wasted space and had a basement dug so that we had two rooms-Small rec room with bathroom, and office. We used Xypex, a special waterproof cement from Canada. Expensive but very good and excellent service from the distributors. Our lot is surrounded by swamp on either side, and the basement is definately below the watertable. Two years now and no water entry. Only drawback is that on humid days the humidity tends to sink to the bottom. However, if it gets unpleasant I just turn on the AC. Since no sun reaches the rooms they cool very quickly and easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Noodles Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 This thread is nearly 2 years old Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qualtrough Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Why do thai front doors open outwards, UK and US doors always open inwards open out is totally wrong, wrong concept no matter how you put it, the people that built their house with door open out doesn't know any better. when door open inwards you're protecting other people, outwards meaning you want to bust someone nose Not sure how the door swinging fits in here. If Feng Shui or magic work for you fine, but I need rational explanations. For public buildings doors swinging out are often mandated by law as in the US. In the US this was the result of the Iroquois Theater fire (Chicago) in which hundreds died, many of them piled up behind doors that swung inwards and could be opened with panicky people pushing against them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qualtrough Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 This thread is nearly 2 years old Is there a prize? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Noodles Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 This thread is nearly 2 years old Is there a prize? Mai roo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chownah Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 (edited) Why do thai front doors open outwards, UK and US doors always open inwards open out is totally wrong, wrong concept no matter how you put it, the people that built their house with door open out doesn't know any better. when door open inwards you're protecting other people, outwards meaning you want to bust someone nose Not sure how the door swinging fits in here. If Feng Shui or magic work for you fine, but I need rational explanations. For public buildings doors swinging out are often mandated by law as in the US. In the US this was the result of the Iroquois Theater fire (Chicago) in which hundreds died, many of them piled up behind doors that swung inwards and could be opened with panicky people pushing against them. Suppose your front door (in the US for instance) opened outward. Further suppose that some not nice person rings your doorbell. You go to open the door and just as you turn the door knob the not nice person grabs the door knob on his(or her) side and yanks the door from your hand and pulls the door wide open....exposing you to assault. If the door opens inwards then if they push the door inward as you turn the knob then your body will be behind the door not only shielding you but also putting you in a position to force the door closed with your body. Edited June 26, 2006 by chownah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chownah Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 This thread is nearly 2 years old Yes, and qualtrough built his basement two years ago!!! I guess that this proves that TV has the power to change people's lives!!!! And for the last two years I thought I was just wasting time!!! while all that time I have been helping people to change their lives....gosh, I'm all inspired!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gumballl Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 (edited) Suppose your front door (in the US for instance) opened outward. Further suppose that some not nice person rings your doorbell. You go to open the door and just as you turn the door knob the not nice person grabs the door knob on his(or her) side and yanks the door from your hand and pulls the door wide open....exposing you to assault. If the door opens inwards then if they push the door inward as you turn the knob then your body will be behind the door not only shielding you but also putting you in a position to force the door closed with your body. That's one hypothesis, but I doubt that's why the doors in the west open inward. My hypothesis is that doors open inwards because if it were to snow heavily, there would be no way to open a door outward. Most Anglos that settled/invaded the world in the early days probably took this idea with them to the new world. Like I stated... just a theory. P.S. People should never open a door without first knowing who is on the other side. Consider getting a peephole or two placed in the door (one for adults, one for children). Edited June 26, 2006 by Gumballl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptuan Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 (edited) Hold your horses, there a minute, cowboy! Not ALL home doors open inward in the west. My $1200 metal trailer I lived in fer three years in Paducah, Kentucky, had metal doors that all opened out. How d'ya reckon 'at? Edited June 26, 2006 by toptuan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Betong Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Hi All, I am pleased my rented house does not have a basement... I also wish there was an alternative back entrance. Cheers, John_Betong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qualtrough Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Chownah, thanks for a rational and unmagical explanation supporting a home door opening inwards. For public buildings outward opening doors are recommended for the safety reason previously stated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh101 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 SNAKES ! ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurgen Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 one good thing about open out doors is that it is a lot harder to kick the door open from the outside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptuan Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 SNAKES ! ! My new Isaan duplex had an open-out front door---with a full 1-inch gap between the door and the tile floor. Yeah, you could see major daylight under the door. If, by your comment, you mean that Isaan construction warmly invites all reptilian critters inside, I would concur. The first morning, waking up, I stepped directly onto a frog on my bedroom floor (with barefeet, of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penzman Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Also it is cheaper to build up rather than dig down.Make one if you wish, I used to have one and they stay quite cool. Whilst on the subject of house construction may I ask another question. Why do thai front doors open outwards, UK and US doors always open inwards ? in California we don't built house with basements, not anymore that isWhy do thai front doors open outwards, UK and US doors always open inwards open out is totally wrong, wrong concept no matter how you put it, the people that built their house with door open out doesn't know any better. when door open inwards you're protecting other people, outwards meaning you want to bust someone nose And I bet the hinges are on the outside where any thief can just pop the nails out and walk in. Mine are Gotta redo that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatguy Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 doors open out for fire safety. also if you have a screened door inside the main outer door, they can't both open out, or in really. basements: in cold climates, one needs a foundation dug below the frostline to prevent the structure from heaving around every season. also water pipes are more easily protected from freezing. depending on the area, a 1/2 basement, or a crawlspace may be all that is necessary, but in for a penny, a basement provides cool storage for food, canned goods etc, and a cool place in general in a hot summer as well as general storage. where there is a flood table problem, there adds a problem. even heavy rain can leak in if the walls are not properly waterproofed. most basements have a sump pump to expell reasonable amounts of leakage. in commonly flooding areas, a basement is nonesense. and as previously stated, if unnecessary structurally, it's cheaper to build up than to dig. a space under a house provides shaded living area, parking, shelter for animals, covered storage etc,etc. xtg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bino Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Doors that open outward also present a security risk in that the hinges and hinge pins are outside. A simple job to drive the hinge pins out with a hammer and screwdriver to gain access to the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackr Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Hold your horses, there a minute, cowboy! Not ALL home doors open inward in the west. My $1200 metal trailer I lived in fer three years in Paducah, Kentucky, had metal doors that all opened out. How d'ya reckon 'at? It was probably made in Taiwan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptuan Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 It was probably made in Taiwan. D*mn! Insult to any redneck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadish_sweetball Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Swedish doors generally open outwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chownah Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Swedish doors generally open outwards. Off topic: I've been meaning to ask you this for a long time: Why is your avatar holding a banana to its ear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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