Table of Contents
A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls.
What finished basement means?
: a basement or attic that has floors, ceilings, and walls like the rooms in the main part of the house.
What is considered partially finished basement?
A partially finished basement has finished and unfinished areas. For instance, many people will have a fully finished living area and maybe a bedroom or half bathroom in their basement. These areas will have fully finished walls, floors, and ceilings with all utilities done correctly.
Does a finished basement need a ceiling?
The International Residential Code (IRC) says a basement living space must have a clear, floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7 feet (6 feet for bathrooms).
What defines finished space?
The finished space must be contiguous and directly accessible from the balance of the living area. Finished space that lack permanent stairs or direct access, such as plant shelves, are not considered living area. Finished spaces only accessed by ladders, such as lofts, are not considered living area.
Can a finished basement have exposed ceiling?
An exposed basement ceiling is when the structural and mechanical designs like trusses, joists, beam and ductwork are left in their natural state. Often times, when a basement is finished, all of the rafters, pipes, and mechanical lines are painted in a single uniform color.
Why do basements have drop ceilings?
Dropped ceilings are usually chosen for basements and garages because they allow easy access to important wiring and plumbing. Aside from this, how they look is often the deciding factor. Both ceilings can provide a good look, so it is primarily personal preference!Mar 20, 2021.
How do you tell if a basement can be finished?
A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls.
Is finishing the basement worth it?
Finishing Your Basement Adds Value to Your Home According to NerdWallet, a finished basement with an entertainment area and basement bath raises a home’s value at an average of $50,000. Also, according to Zillow, homeowners see an average of 70 percent return on investment with a basement remodel.
How do you make a unfinished basement livable?
16 Finishing Touches for Your Unfinished Basement Better Your Basement. 1/18. Lay Down Foam Mats. 2/18. String Some Lighting. 3/18. Throw Down Area Rugs. 4/18. Install Storage. 5/18. Paint Your Cinder Block. 6/18. Hang Curtains. 7/18. Create an Art Studio. 8/18.
How much height do you lose when finishing a basement?
Finishing the ceiling and floor will subtract at least a few inches of headroom. So to achieve a seven-foot, nine-inch finished height, the unfinished space would need to be at least eight feet high.
Can a basement be considered living space?
While a finished basement is considered living space where your property value is concerned, it’s only in rare instances that this living space is counted towards the square footage. Even if your basement is not an exception to the rule, a finished basement is an asset to your property value.
What makes a basement a basement?
A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are completely or partly below the ground floor. In cities with high property prices, such as London, basements are often fitted out to a high standard and used as living space.
Can a finished basement be included in the square footage?
As a general rule of thumb, listing agents and appraisers don’t count a finished basement toward the overall square footage, especially if the basement is completely below grade—a term that means below ground level.
Does a walk out basement count as square footage?
A basement must have a legal ingress or egress to count as square footage. This is partially a safety issue. However, sometimes only the above-grade square footage of a walk-out basement is included in the home’s total square footage.
Can you live in an unfinished basement?
Sleeping in an unfinished basement can harm your health and lead to respiratory problems and cancer due to the lack of natural light and air, and exposure to harmful things like radon gas, molds, dust, and chemicals. Therefore, it’s advised that you do not sleep in an unfinished basement as a rule. What is this?.
Which flooring is best for basement?
What basement flooring options and materials are the best? The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof.
How much does it cost to spray a basement ceiling?
Foundation Cost Calculator National Average $8,395 Typical Range $4,130 – $13,189 Low End – High End $1,200 – $25,000.
How can I make my concrete basement walls look better?
If your concrete-block basement walls are dry and free of efflorescence or mold, you can seal them with a masonry sealer or all-purpose water-base primer-sealer and paint with a high-quality latex paint. Paint is an easy way to make the basement feel warmer, brighter, and more welcoming.
Is it OK to drywall a basement ceiling?
Anyone can have drywall ceilings in the basement….. Anyone.
Can I put drywall on basement ceiling?
Installing basement drywall ceiling is the most cost effective methods to cover the floor joists and beams, and finishing your basement ceiling properly.
How expensive is it to replace a drop ceiling?
Installing a drop ceiling costs $5 to $28 per square foot for labor and materials. Add $2 per square foot if you want insulating panels that go behind the ceiling tiles and up to $1 per linear foot for decorative rail covers. Labor typically costs up to $5 per square foot when hiring a ceiling tile installer near you.
