Lighting help for our low ceiling basement
Edamame
4 years ago
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4 years agoBeth H. :
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Lighting for low ceiling basement
Comments (6)Are the undersides of the joists clear - ie no plumbing or electrical suspended below them? If that is the case, I suggest sacrificing another 1/2", drywalling the ceiling and installing can lights. We have approximately 6' 7" (finished) below our heating ducts and have can lights installed at the center (between the hot and cold ducting). Photos of our basement are linked from "My Page" however the low ceiling for the ductwork described above isn't well depicted except in the final photo. Good luck with whatever you decide....See MoreOur Lowes kitchen + need help w/ lighting ideas
Comments (12)Hi maybeiloveyou, I didn't answer your question. My initial response would have been to install bronze light fixtures. However, since you have the stainless hardware, I'd probably stick with a stainless look light fixture. I'm also looking at the Shenandoah cabinets. Depending on the layout I choose I'll have between 12 and 14 cabinets total. I chose the Mission cabinets in Cherry Bordeaux and that quote was just under (a few dollars) $8,000. Maybe I'm being "hosed" by my KD? Did you guys go with the all plywood sides upgrade? Do you have oven cabinets or pantry cabinets? I'm just trying to figure out why my quote is so high. Maybe I should visit another Lowes for a price comparison....See MoreLow Basement Ceilings
Comments (7)Exposed & painted joists & utilities is a fun look that helps ceiling height perception BUT a very difficult messy project, a lot of work to “tidy up” the wires, pipes, valves & ductwork into something presentable before spray painting it all. I wouldn’t go through all that in a house you intend to sell. Maybe the realtor can suggest this to potential buyers as a possible remedy they can do themselves and show them examples of other 7’ basement ceilings that have exposed joists. Pop out a couple of the drop ceiling panels in a good spot (somewhere without tangles of wires visible) and take a pic & measure the difference in height; paint a sample area of joists white, the realtor can show buyers that sample area and see if that might be an acceptable compromise....See MoreFinishing basement w/ low ceiling (
Comments (9)You should contact your building department and ask them if it would be ok. This is the code requirement: R305.1 Minimum height. Habitable space, hallways and portions of basements containing these spaces shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms and laundry rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Exceptions: 1. For rooms with sloped ceilings, the required floor area of the room shall have a ceiling height of not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) and not less than 50 percent of the required floor area shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). 2. The ceiling height above bathroom and toilet room fixtures shall be such that the fixture is capable of being used for its intended purpose. A shower or tub equipped with a showerhead shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) above an area of not less than 30 inches (762 mm) by 30 inches (762 mm) at the showerhead. 3. Beams, girders, ducts or other obstructions in basements containing habitable space shall be permitted to project to within 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) of the finished floor. R305.1.1 Basements. Portions of basements that do not contain habitable space or hallways shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Exception: At beams, girders, ducts or other obstructions, the ceiling height shall be not less than 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) from the finished floor. That said, some jurisdictions in neighborhoods with older homes allow more flexibility when it comes to ceiling heights, so they would be your best bet to go and get the answer. Good luck...See MoreEdamame
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