A split-level house is different from a traditional home layout because it has multiple floors that are connected by short flights of stairs. Also called tri-level homes, split-level houses have at least three levels connected by stairs.

What makes a house a tri-level?

A split-level home (also called a bi-level home or tri-level home) is a style of house in which the floor levels are staggered. There are typically two short sets of stairs, one running upward to a bedroom level, and one going downward toward a basement area.

Is the lower level of a tri-level considered a basement?

In this case, both the partially below grade areas as well as the below grade areas are considered to be basement area, not GLA. … In the case of a three level split, the basement areas are just split into different below grade and partially below grade levels.