Should I build a basement or a cellar?
Jan 28, 2022 · But there are several differences between a cellar and a basement. These include: Ceiling Height. A cellar's height must be over 50% below ground level. On the other hand, a basement can be partially underground. Basements usually have over 50% of their floor-to-ceiling height above curb level. Emergency Exits.
Is the space below ground a cellar or basement?
Jan 29, 2022 · In most cases, the basic difference between a basement and a cellar is that a basement is not fully below curb level. A cellar is usually located deeper below the ground level than a basement but that’s not a rule set in stone. However, there are other characteristics that help to distinguish these spaces.
What is the difference between a basement and a foundation?
Jul 05, 2019 · Basement vs. Cellar: Features That Set Them Apart The Height of the Room One of the biggest differences between basements and cellars has to do with height. You see, basements are usually going to be halfway above curb level or a bit more. Cellars are going to be at least halfway below the curb.
What classifies as a basement?
While many people call a cellar a basement and vice versa, they’re both different in how they are built and how they function. Cellars are designed to sustain a sturdy, cool temperature ideal for food storage, while basements are constructed mainly to have extra living space.
Do Americans say basement or cellar?
Re: the difference between cellar and basement. No it's not a US/UK difference. Your definition is fine. It's a matter of the use of the space, as you say. A cellar is for storage (possibly in a house but also eg a wine cellar in a vineyard), while a basement is used for something.Feb 13, 2011
Can you use a basement as a cellar?
Basement Root Cellar The best method is to use the foundation walls on the northeast corner as two sides of your root cellar. Build the other two walls in the basement with stud and board. Insulate the interior walls, ceiling, and door (and any pipes or ducts) to keep the heat out.
Why are basements called cellars?
By definition, a basement is the floor of a residence or building entirely or partly located below ground level. A cellar, on the other hand, is a room below the ground level used as a storage area.
What's the difference between a basement and a root cellar?
A cellar is usually located deeper below the ground level than a basement but that's not a rule set in stone. However, there are other characteristics that help to distinguish these spaces....Cellar vs. Basement: Comparison Table.CellarBasementLiving spacenoa finished basement often can be used as a habitable space12 more rows•Jan 29, 2022
Where is the cellar in a house?
A typical cellar may be beneath the house or located outdoors, partly underground, with the upper part mounded over with earth to protect from freezing and to maintain fairly constant temperature and humidity. Such a structure is sometimes called a root cellar.
Is a basement a floor?
A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are completely or partly below the ground floor.
What is a Yankee cellar?
They call it a “Yankee basement” or, well, sometimes a “root cellar,” where basically you take the interior perimeter of the foundation wall, move in about 2½, 3 feet and then dig down there. So you leave this sort of berm of soil to support the foundation that's under the footing.
Can a cellar be a bedroom?
Extra bedroom Many people are choosing to convert their cellars into extra bedrooms. Whether your family is growing or you're in need of a guest room, transforming your cellar is certainly an easier and more affordable option than moving to a new house.Feb 25, 2020
Is a cellar a crawl space?
A crawl space is another method of constructing the bottom of the house with the first two being cellars and basements.
What is basement called in UK?
Let's take a look at a small but important difference in British and American English: the naming of floors in a building. In British English the floor of a building at street level is called the ground floor. The floor above it is the first floor and the floor below is called the basement.Apr 9, 2012
What's the difference between basement and sub basement?
A basement floor beneath a walk-out or daylight basement is called a subbasement. This type of structure sits completely underground and does not have windows or exterior doors. The subbasement connects to the rest of the house by way of a staircase.Oct 28, 2019
What are the different types of basements?
There are 3 basic types of basements:Masonry Wall Basements. The basement walls are constructed with masonry block units. ... Precast Panel Basements. ... Poured Concrete Wall Basements. ... Choose the basement entrance carefully. ... Stairway design. ... Include windows. ... Vary lighting. ... Don't scrimp on finishes.More items...•Aug 9, 2018
Why do people confuse basements and cellars?
Why People Confuse Cellars and Basements. One of the most common reasons why people confuse cellars and basements is that they’re quite similar. There are actually many differences but an average person might not be aware of these differences. To add to this, people use the term cellar interchangeably with the word basement.
Why are wine cellars important?
Cellars are useful to have and many people wind up using them for storage purposes . If you consider yourself to be a wine aficionado, then you likely already know that wine cellars are very popular. Storing items such as wine in a cellar is a common use for this type of space.
What is the lowest point of a house?
The lowest points of a home are going to be somewhat musty. It can wind up smelling and it might be different from a typical room. A basement can be made to be very similar to a normal room but a cellar is not going to resemble this. Cellar areas are generally going to be quite dank.
What does it mean when a sub level room has tiny windows?
If your sub-level room has tiny windows such as this and is mostly below ground, then it’s an indicator that you actually have a cellar and not a basement. Your uses for this space are going to be more limited than what you could use a basement for.
Can a basement be rented out?
Basements are more flexible due to being able to be used as true livable spaces. Depending on whether certain criteria are met, a basement might even be able to be rented out. It depends on whether things are up to code but you should know that finished basements can be used as rental properties.
Can you use a basement as a storage room?
You can set the basement up as a normal room and use the cellar for storage. The cellar can even be used as your refuge spot when a storm comes too close for comfort. Just consider your options and make the choice that is best for your new home.
Is a cellar dangerous?
These windows won’t be possible to use as entry or exit points, making the room more dangerous than a basement. In the event of a fire, a cellar would be a very dangerous room indeed. This is one of the reasons why you can’t really use a cellar as a true livable space.
What is the difference between a cellar and a basement?
While many people call a cellar a basement and vice versa, they’re both different in how they are built and how they function. Cellars are designed to sustain a sturdy, cool temperature ideal for food storage, while basements are constructed mainly ...
How far underground is a cellar?
Since insulation is vital, the cellar needs to be at least two feet underground.
What was the purpose of the cellar?
These cellars were used mainly to store wine and food, and some were even converted into tombs. Regardless of the area of the world that the cellar resided in, throughout time, there was a common theme: The cellar was used to store food items and drinks.
Why did cavemen use caverns?
It is thought that in prehistoric times, cavemen and women used underground caverns to store valuable items, including food, because of the cool temperatures. However, perhaps the most notable cellars that ever existed would be those used in the Roman empire.
What are the negatives of a basement?
Here are the negative aspects of having a basement: Prone to flooding and structural damage. Since a basement is underground, this makes it more susceptible to water seepage. Your basement could flood and damage your valuables, or even worse, it can cause the plaster to puff out and the walls to mold.
What is the purpose of a basement?
Now, the most essential function of a basement is that it can double as a storm shelter. Anytime there is a tornado or hurricane, it is best to seek safety in the basement. You can store non-perishable items and the emergency bins down in the basement, so you have what you need. Increase in property value.
Do basements have vents?
Basements do not usually have vents to the outside, and they also do not have to face a certain way. This means that your basement is generally at the mercy of the elements or other types of earthly activities. In a basement, you usually need to install a dehumidifier as they are typically musky and damp.
What does a cellar look like?
It goes like this: If more than half of the floor height is above ground level, it is a basement. If less than half is above ground, it’s a cellar. This notion is in reference to the appearance of the foundation from the front of the house.
Why are there no basements in California?
Other than earthquakes, there are no basements because they are used to keep pipes ‘indoors’ so they dont freeze in the winter. Unlike the northeast and midwest, California doesnt have that issue.
Why are there no basements in Australia?
Pindan Homes Construction Manager Adrian Schneeberger said the main reason Australians had never built basements was they put a big hole in the budget. “It is cheaper to build two storeys from a flat slab on ground level up than it is to build two storeys digging down to create a basement.”
Why are there no basements in the South?
The last minor reason there are no basements in the south has to do with the frost line. For a building to maintain strength, its foundation should be below the frost line in the soil. There is no reason for builders in the south to build a basement because the foundation doesn’t need to be very deep anyway.
How much does it cost to finish a 1000 sq ft basement?
The cost of a basement is between 10 and 35 dollars per square feet. Let’s say an average basement is 1,000 square feet of finished space. So the cost of a basement is between $10,000 and $35,000. 10k if you’re doing most of the work yourself and up to $35,000 if you’re hiring a contractor to finish your basement.
What do you do with a cellar?
Top Ten Uses for a Basement Storage space. If you have an accessible cellar or basement you’re probably using it as storage space already. Workshop. One step up from the storage space is a workshop but think about the sort of work you are doing. Home office. Spare bedroom. Gymnasium. Games room. Home cinema and entertainment room. Laundry.
What makes a basement 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.
