If you’re dealing with a low-ceiling basement, adding big furniture will only make things worse. Rather than picking standard furniture which can make the room look overly big and cluttered, fill the space with smaller and shorter pieces. This will help free more space and make your room look bigger and taller.
Can you finish a basement that has low ceilings?
We get this question a lot, especially from homeowners in older homes with low ceilings. You can still finish your basement, but your remodeling partner will have to bring your basement up to code by getting your ceiling to the required height. This step will often require a dig down if your basement is low.
Can you finish a basement with 7 foot ceiling?
To get a construction permit to finish a basement, the ceiling must be at least 6’8″. If it is shorter than this minimum requirement, then you have to raise the ceiling before finishing the basement. A finished basement can dramatically increase the livable space of a home.
What is considered a low ceiling basement?
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).
Is it possible to raise a basement ceiling?
Raising the ceiling height in a basement is possible, but requires a lot of planning and structural construction. More often than not, working around the ceiling height that you have is best. Structural engineers and foundation experts would need to be involved in order to raise the ceiling height in the basement.
What is the best color to paint a low basement ceiling?
The most suitable color to paint a basement ceiling is white, black, or gray. A white ceiling lights up the space, creating an airy, open feel, while black makes the ceiling seem higher and hides flaws. On its part, gray offers a classic look and is a great substitute for either black or white.
Is it cheaper to drywall or drop ceiling?
Drop ceilings are more expensive to install than drywall making drywall the cheaper option. However, if you can install a drop ceiling by yourself, you can save on labor costs. You should also factor in paint costs for a drywall ceiling and whether you are hiring a professional to install and paint for you.
What is the average ceiling height in a basement?
In most regions, the average basement ceiling height falls in the 7 feet to 9 feet range. While older basements built before the 7-foot requirement was added to building codes are grandfathered in – allowing them to remain as living space even if they fall below the 7-foot mark – those aren’t the norm.
How can I increase my basement height?
- Underpinning Your Basement. Underpinning a basement is the process where the floor is excavated to add depth to your lower structure.
- Benching Your Basement.
- Raise Your Basement Ceiling.
- Lifting Your House.
What is benching a basement?
Bench footing is a process through which you can lower the basement and provide extra structural support to the foundation. There is no need to dig under the foundation in order to provide extra height to the basement.
What is the best ceiling for a 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.
Whats the most expensive part of finishing a basement?
Flooring and wall coverings like paneling are the biggest expenses, making up approximately 15% of the total cost to finish a 1,200 square-foot basement, Sebring says.
How much does it cost to raise a ceiling 1 foot?
Cost to Raise a Ceiling Into an Attic It costs about $60 per square foot to raise a ceiling into the attic of your house.
What color makes a ceiling look taller?
The lightest and whitest colors work best at making a low ceiling appear taller. A bright white or a slightly gray white color are the optimal ceiling colors. Avoid using a color in a different hue on the ceiling if possible, as it will appear darker on the ceiling and not reflect as much light.
Should I paint a low ceiling the same color as the walls?
Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls can also help a small room look larger, especially in rooms that have low ceilings. It acts to blur the lines between walls and ceiling, giving both the sense that the ceiling is higher and the walls are further away.
Is it better to paint a basement ceiling black or white?
White is a top choice for ceilings because it boosts the amount of light in the room. If your basement is too dark, consider using white to reflect more light throughout the area. White paint also allows you to play around with color.
Should I sheetrock my basement ceiling?
The Drywall or Sheetrock Ceiling for Basements A big advantage of having a drywall/sheetrock ceiling in a basement is that loss of headroom will be minimal. Drywall uses less space so it is a good choice when you have low ceilings and need to take advantage of all the headroom possible. Drywall will not sag.
What can I use instead of a drop ceiling?
- 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.
How much does it cost to install a drop ceiling in a basement?
Average Cost to Put a Drop Ceiling in a Basement Average costs to finish a basement could run between $2,000 to $11,200 if you install a 400-square-foot drop ceiling. This includes $1,200 to $9,200 in materials for a large area. Labor also increases with the square footage and lands in the $800 to $2,000 range.
Are 8 foot ceilings too low?
In an effort to stem heating/cooling costs, houses were constructed with less interior space by shortening ceilings. Home insulation and heating/cooling systems have vastly improved since then, and eight-foot ceilings are now considered outmoded.
How much height do you lose with a drop ceiling?
eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. A dropped ceiling grid usually requires a 4-inch clearance. Dropped ceilings, which feature a horizontal grid usually made from lightweight metal and individual acoustical panels that fit in the grid, are standard in basements.
Is it possible to raise the ceiling height?
Yes, it’s doable, but if it involves changing the roof structure, a structural engineer is necessary. Sometimes, better to leave the ceiling alone and use less-intrusive methods to create a feeling of spaciousness.
Can I dig out my basement floor?
These might even cause foundation problems. It’s extremely expensive to dig out a crawl space. A basement can take weeks to dig out, requires significant amounts of structural change, and typically requires that you leave the house while it’s happening.
Is benching safer than underpinning?
Bench footing involves less work, less time, costs less and has a lower risk. Underpinning is more expensive, resource-intensive and involves a significant amount of risk.
Is it worth it to underpin basement?
Underpinning your basement will enable you to address any of the building’s structural problems such as missing or undersized footings, sagging beams, and unstable exterior walls. The process strengthens and stabilizes the foundation which in turn will also add resale value to the home as well as making it much safer.