24 Nov What is the Difference Between a Basement and a Cellar?

If you live in Michigan, you know what a basement is because, most likely, you have one in your own home. Even townhomes in the Canton, Michigan, area have basements. Old farmhouses in rural areas have cellars instead of basements, as they were used for storing root vegetables. During the long, cold winter months, other foods, such as smoked meats or canned foods, were stored in the cellar.

In the United States (U.S.), some people use the word basement to refer to both cellars and basements; however, not in Michigan, as most of us are accustomed to the difference at a young age. The dictionary definition says a basement is a building floor that is partly or entirely below ground level.

The main difference is that a cellar is generally wholly underground, and a basement is typically some variation of the following:

• Partly below ground level with windows at ground level

• Entirely underground with the same footprint as the upper levels

• A walkout that is underground with an entrance or exit at ground level

• An English basement is often found in urban areas, where the living space is partially below street level but features tall windows that allow for natural light and ventilation, offering a city view from a semi-subterranean perspective

• A garden basement that opens onto a garden or patio area, thus offering easy access to outdoor spaces.

• A daylight basement is typically located on a sloped lot, allows for full-height windows and doors on one side, giving it the feel of a ground-floor space despite being at basement level

• A sub-basement that lies beneath the primary basement level and is used mainly for equipment or storage rather than living space. Instead, the subbasement connects to the rest of the house by way of a staircase

• An elevator basement exists mainly within commercial buildings as they serve as maintenance or utility areas for the building’s elevator systems

Again, ice or root cellars are designed for the sole purpose of food preservation and, thus, are not necessarily intended for habitation.

What are the basement laws in Michigan?

All basements and sleeping rooms must have an emergency escape window or exterior door. Emergency escape windows with a sill height below grade must be provided with an emergency escape window, as well as a ladder.

Furthermore, Michigan Legislator with the Housing Law of Michigan asserts through Act 167 of 1917 the legal requirements of basements and cellars are as such, “No room in the cellar of any dwelling erected prior to the passage of this act shall be occupied for living purposes. And no room in the basement of any such dwelling shall be so occupied without a written permit from the health officer, which permit shall be kept readily accessible in the main living room of the apartment containing such room. No such room shall hereafter be occupied unless all the following conditions are complied with:

(1) Such room shall be at least 7 feet high in every part from the floor to the ceiling.

(2) The ceiling of such room shall be in every part at least 3 feet 6 inches above the surface of the street or ground outside of or adjoining the same.

(3) There shall be appurtenant to such room the use of a water-closet.

(4) At least 1 of the rooms of the apartment of which such room is an integral part shall have a window opening directly to the street or yard, of at least 12 square feet in size clear of the sash frame, and which shall open readily for purposes of ventilation.

(5) The lowest floor shall be water-proof and damp-proof.

(6) Such room shall have sufficient light and ventilation, shall be well drained and dry, and shall be fit for human habitation,”.

A definition according to New York City Housing Preservation and Development government agency states that, “Basements and cellars are very different spaces and have different legal uses. A basement is a story of a building partly below curb level but with at least one-half of its height above the curb level. A cellar is an enclosed space having more than one-half of its height below curb level. Usually, if a cellar has any windows, the windows are too small for an adult to fit through,”.

NYC Housing Preservation and Development agency went on to warn that, “Occupants of illegal basement and cellar apartments face potential dangers such as carbon monoxide poisoning, inadequate light and ventilation, and inadequate egress in the event of a fire. Occupants of illegal basement and cellar apartments may be ordered by the City to vacate or leave any illegal basement or cellar apartment,”.

In the U.S., laws in some jurisdictions require that subbasements be built with an emergency exit leading directly to the outside of the home in case of fire or other disasters. This law is intended to prevent people from becoming trapped in a basement during a house fire.

Because of this potentially fatal consequence, it is imperative to have a professional assess your basement for the need for an emergency exit before you start any work. Check with your town’s ordinance officer to determine if this law applies to your home.

What is an egress window in a basement?

Egress windows provide an emergency escape in the event of fires, floods, and other disasters.

According to Michigan’s capitol City of East Lansing’s Planning Building Development department, basement egress windows need to meet the following official requirements, “Basement egress windows present an added challenge. Besides the height, width and overall square footage requirements that the window must comply with, there are certain requirements for the window well surrounding the window. Window wells must:

• Allow the window to be fully opened.

• Provide a minimum 9 square feet of floor area, with a minimum dimension of a 36” width and 36” length.

• Contain a permanently affixed ladder or steps for climbing out of the window well if the depth exceeds 44”.

• The ladder must be at least 12” wide and project not less than 3” from the window well. It cannot be obstructed by the open window or encroach on the required window well dimensions by more than 6”.

• Window wells may be made of rust resistant metal, treated wood, wood naturally resistant to decay, concrete, masonry, or plastic. Some window well designs have steps built or molded into them.

• If an egress window is located under a deck or porch, the code requires at least 48 inches between the top of the window well and the bottom of the deck or porch joists,”.

What is the difference between a basement and a cellar?

In conclusion, basements are partially or entirely below ground and used as living spaces, while cellars are completely underground, primarily for storage purposes.