Why Aren't Most Homes Built Underground?

Most homes are constructed above ground, with partial underground levels commonly known as basements. While the idea of building homes underground might seem appealing due to potential savings on utility costs and exterior maintenance, it comes with numerous challenges that make it far from ideal in many scenarios. Let's explore why this concept is not widely adopted.

The Uniqueness of Above-Ground Living

Consider the town of Lynn, where all land is less than 5 metres above sea level. The 1953 floods, caused by a tidal surge, highlighted the dangers of living underground. These incidents underscore the significant risks involved in such a construction method.

Challenges of Underground Living

Radon Gas

Radiation from radon gas is a genuine concern in any underground dwelling. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be harmful to human health if not properly managed. Proper ventilation systems must be in place to mitigate these risks, adding to the complexity and expense of underground construction.

Waste Management

One of the major challenges in creating underground homes is sewage management. Instead of waste simply flowing away from the house, it must be pumped upwards, often through complex plumbing systems. This additional process significantly increases the costs and complexity of building and maintaining an underground living space.

Artificial Lighting and Ventilation

The absence of natural light in underground homes necessitates the use of artificial lighting. While LED lighting has made strides in reducing energy consumption, it still adds to the overall cost. Similarly, the lack of natural airflow necessitates the installation of HVAC systems, which also require maintenance and energy to operate.

Depressive Views

Lack of outside views can be depressing for many people. While technology can help, such as opening wide-screen TVs to display external views, this is still not a perfect substitute for natural surroundings. Security cameras can offer some level of surveillance but do not fully compensate for the lack of physical outdoor space.

Flooding and Mold

Water is often a major issue when digging deep. Even in areas with high water tables, digging just a few feet underground can lead to flooding, which can be deadly in the short term from drowning and long-term from mold. The structural integrity and waterproofing required to prevent such issues are significant challenges.

Fires

Fires, with limited escape routes, pose another significant threat. Underground homes can be difficult to escape from during emergencies, making them far less safe in case of fire compared to above-ground structures.

Telecommunication Signals

Underground homes can also struggle with radio, TV, and cell phone signals. This can create issues for communication and entertainment, making such homes less desirable in an increasingly connected world.

The Cost Factor

The cost of building underground structures is significantly higher than that of constructing homes above ground. For example, you must install pumps to remove sewage and groundwater, ensuring that these fluids don’t backfill the home. Similarly, getting fresh air in and stale air out through venting systems can be much more complex and expensive in an underground setting.

Structurally, maintaining the integrity of underground walls to bear the weight of the roof and floor above is a major engineering challenge. These factors contribute to the overall expense of building and maintaining an underground home, making such structures a less practical option than above-ground homes.

The Future of Underground Living

While there are circumstances where underground structures are viable, such as defensive bunkers or specialized facilities, they are generally not a cost-effective or feasible choice for residential use. For residential underground homes to become a widespread trend, a significant driving force, such as a drastic spike in solar radiation or other environmental factors, would need to compel people to rethink traditional building methods.

For now, above-ground living remains the norm, as it offers more practical advantages and is generally more cost-effective. The development of better technology and materials might one day change this, but for the foreseeable future, it's unlikely that underground homes will become the norm.