How can I add more headroom to my basement?
To raise your basement ceiling, raise the height of the joists by 3 millimetres or 1/8 of an inch per day to gradually increase the basement height. Raising the ceiling of your basement is the cheapest method to increase its height because most homeowners can do this themselves.
How tall do ceilings have to be in basement?
7 feet
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 do I do if my basement ceiling is low?
How do you make a room look bigger with low ceilings?
- Recessed lighting is a great start! Switching from outdated incandescent lighting to recessed lighting can make a huge visual impact on your space. …
- Skip the hanging ceiling lights, such as pendant lighting. …
- Keep your paint colors light and bright.
What type of ceiling is recommended to be installed in basement?
Suspended ceilings are one of the most popular basement ceilings. Consisting of a simple grid and lightweight tiles or panels, a suspended ceiling covers exposed beams, ductwork, and electrical wiring, while allowing easy access for repairs or leaks.
Can you finish a 7 foot basement?
In most towns, building codes require that finished basement ceilings be at least seven feet high. But don’t be fooled—a seven-foot ceiling will not make for an enjoyable space. Anything below seven feet, nine inches may feel cramped—and that figure refers to the height of the finished space.
Can you finish a basement with 6 foot ceilings?
In most cases, a basement ceiling is too low if it violates local building codes. For older builds, that means anything below 6 feet 4 inches. For new construction, ceiling heights under 7 feet or obstructions below 6 feet 8 inches would be too low legally.
How tall can my basement be?
What is the minimum height for a basement ceiling? Local codes for basement finishing vary, however, according to the International Residential Code (IRC), a basement living space must have a clear floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7 feet (6 feet for bathrooms).
What’s the lowest a ceiling can be?
7 feet, 0 inches
(a) Every habitable room and bathroom shall have a minimum ceiling height of not less than 7 feet, 0 inches for a minimum of 50 percent of the room’s floor area. The remaining area may have a ceiling with a minimum height of 5 feet, 0 inches. Minimum height under dropped ducts, beams, etc. shall be 6 feet, 4 inches.
What ceiling height is too low?
What Is Considered Low Ceiling Height? For residential rooms such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, or offices, anything less than eight feet is low. A seven-foot-high ceiling makes the space feel cramped and crowded.
What can I use instead of a drop ceiling?
9 Drop Ceiling Alternatives
- Drywall. Drywall is an excellent option that almost always improves the appearance of any room thanks to it’s simplicity and ease of decorating. …
- Wooden Planks. …
- Beadboard. …
- Ceiling Tiles. …
- Plywood. …
- Corrugated Metal. …
- Stained Glass Ceilings. …
- Faux Wooden Beams.
Should you drywall basement ceiling?
If you want to get a simple and versatile finish, you should drywall your basement ceiling. Your ceiling instantly becomes aesthetically pleasing. But before placing the drywall, you should be careful with the existing ductwork, pipes, wires, and joists.
Do you have to put a drop ceiling in basement?
Many homeowners prefer to have a drop ceiling in their basement because plumping and wiring is typically installed in the space above and getting to it is easy. In the event of a plumbing leak, the damage to the basement ceiling may be limited to only a few basement ceiling tiles.
What is a Yankee basement?
A Yankee basement is a root cellar. The name for the space comes from the dugout in baseball, which is the area where teams have their benches located in foul territory.
How big should a finished basement be?
Basement Dimensions
For example, if you have a 1,500 square foot house, you should have a 1,500 square foot basement before you consider it a full basement. There are, of course, basements that are smaller or larger, but that is when you start talking about variances in size, from small to larger basements.
What makes a basement considered 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.
What’s the average basement size?
The average size of a basement is usually between 500-1500 square feet with of 8 foot ceilings. The footprint of the basement can vary depending on the square footage of the main house.
