The primary difference between a basement and a cellar is the height of the ceiling. A basement typically has a higher ceiling than a cellar, as well as more usable space.
A traditional cellar is a below-ground part of a home that was used primarily for the storage of food. It is usually quite damp, with an earthen floor, and is not generally accessible from the home.
A basement is also reached from the home, but it often has a poured or concrete floor. It tends to be finished – with wallboard, paint, and carpeting – and frequently houses laundry rooms, home gyms, and other amenities.
Additionally, basements tend to have a moderate to high ceiling height, and they are usually accessed by stairs.
So to summarize, the main difference between a basement and a cellar is the height of the ceiling and the type of floor. A basement typically has higher ceilings and finished floors, making it more suitable for everyday living, while a cellar is built to be more underground and out-of-the-way, making it better for storage.
Can you use a basement as a cellar?
Yes, you can use a basement as a cellar. Cellars offer ideal conditions for storing food, beverages, and other perishable items, such as wine, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. Because basements are often naturally cool and dark, with high humidity levels and no direct sunlight, they can be excellent areas for cellaring.
With additional insulation, a temperature and humidity control system, and waterproofing to protect against floods and moisture damage, a basement can be a great space to store and mature food items.
However, it’s important to make sure the humidity levels in the cellar remain high but don’t climb too high to avoid damage to items being stored. In some locations, a root or storm cellar may provide an even better environment.
So while it’s possible to use a basement as a cellar, its important to ensure it’s properly insulated and humidity control systems are in place to maintain ideal storage conditions.
Why are basements called cellars?
The origin of the term “cellar” to refer to the basement of a building dates back to the middle ages in Europe. During this time, stone or brick walls were built to create a cellar below the main structure of a home or other building.
These cellars were typically used to store food and other supplies necessary for the sustenance of the building’s inhabitants, as they provided a cooler and more moisture-resistant environment than the rest of the structure.
This gave rise to the term “cellar” as it was used to describe the space where these materials were kept. Over time, the term “cellar” became synonymous with the word “basement” and still is a commonly used term today for referring to the part of a structure below the main floor.
What is usually in a cellar?
A cellar usually contains items used for home improvement and storage. These items can include tools, like ladders, drills, paint cans and drop cloths. Items such as lawn mowers, lawn furniture, barbeques, and outdoor decorations can also be stored.
In addition, extra food items and beverages, like canned goods, canning supplies, and bottles of wine, can be found in many cellars. Other items commonly found in a cellar include heaters, dehumidifiers and air conditioning units, as well as white goods like washing machines and dryers.
Lastly, some cellars may also store seasonal decorations and holiday items.
Does a cellar cause damp?
Yes, it is possible for a cellar to cause damp. In some cases, a cellar can be susceptible to high levels of moisture and damp. This can be due to a number of different causes, such as poor insulation, insufficient drainage, too high water table, inadequate ventilation, lack of proper maintenance and repairs, broken seals or plumbing issues.
All of these can cause moisture and dampness in the cellar, leading to potential mould and mildew growth, rotting of wooden structures, and damage to belongings stored inside.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that the cellar is properly insulated and ventilated, drainage is correctly installed, seals and plumbing are maintained, and the water table is not too high. Furthermore, taking proper maintenance measures and conducting regular checks can help prevent problems with damp in the future.
Does the UK have basements?
Yes, many homes in the United Kingdom (UK) have basements. Basements are subterranean spaces in lower buildings, typically below the ground level, that can range from fully open to fully enclosed rooms.
The types of basements vary greatly depending on the location and the availability of building materials. In parts of the UK, such as London, basements may have been around since Victorian or Georgian times when they were used as storage and coal-cellars, as well as wine-cellars and servants’ quarters.
These original basements were often quite large, with high ceilings and plenty of natural light.
In other areas of the UK such as Scotland, North Wales and rural parts of England, basements tend to be much smaller and darker due to the lack of natural light. However, modern basements have the potential to be built to an exceedingly high standard with the addition of insulation and drylining, plus the introduction of electrical and plumbing services.
Subsequently, modern basements are transforming from dark, damp and musty spaces to full-fledged living areas.
Basement construction in the UK has recently boomed due to the innovative use of headroom and floor space, particularly as people look to create extra space and/or convert existing cellars into full-fledged living areas.
Building Control in the UK is highly regulated with respect to moisture and drainage protection, as well as sound and heat insulation. It is therefore important to use a specialist contractor when constructing a basement to ensure that it is built in accordance with the local regulations.
What is a basement UK?
A basement UK is a term used to describe a type of below ground level home extension that is popular in the United Kingdom. The term “basement” is used to refer to the lower-most area of the property and often includes an additional bedroom, bathroom, or living area.
The space beneath the original house can also be used to create storage possibilities, as well as a separate living area. The basement itself is usually constructed from a waterproof concrete material.
The space is either insulated or sealed with a water storing material to keep water out. Some basements have windows, allowing for natural light to enter, and many have air conditioning for year round comfort.
Furthermore, a basement UK addition can have the same features and amenities of a regular home extension, such as built-in kitchen appliances, plumbing, and other features. Basement UK constructions are highly versatile living spaces and offer homeowners many benefits from added storage to additional living space.
What is an English basement in a house?
An English basement in a house is a basement that is partially or completely above ground level. It usually has a regular door to the outside, which is often under a set of stairs, and has one or more windows that allow natural light into the space.
It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as an extra room or an extra suite, depending on the needs of the homeowner. The distinct feature of an English basement is that it is separate from the main part of the house, often allowing for additional privacy, although this feature is not always sought-after by homeowners.
Generally speaking, English basements are less expensive to build than a full basement because they do not require excavation.
Why do Americans have basements?
Americans have basements for a variety of reasons. In certain parts of the United States, such as the Midwest and Northeast, basements are used as a form of storm shelter for protection from tornadoes or other natural disasters.
Additionally, basements can be used for additional living space, storage, and recreation and entertaining areas. Homeowners in much of the United States appreciate having a basement for extra storage, since it allows them to keep their homes organized and free from clutter.
Additionally, basements often provide a refuge from the warm outside temperatures during the hot summer months.
The vast majority of new homes built in the United States come with basements as they typically provide additional value in terms of resale. Homebuyers are always looking for more space, and having a basement provides that extra space.
For some homeowners, the basement offers an opportunity to create a custom finished area that is tailored to their personal taste. Basements can be transformed into a personal gym, theatre room, office, bar, music room, or family room.
Basements also serve as an intricate part of the home since it houses all the home’s major systems such as HVAC, water heater, plumbing, fire suppression systems and electrical systems. Homeowners are better off getting these systems inspected regularly and making sure that the basement is waterproofed properly to avoid serious problems in the future.
What were cellars used for?
Cellars were originally used to store food and drinks by households. This was done by creating a cool, dry environment that kept food, wine and other items fresh. Cellars were also used to hide people during wartime or to store valuables of the wealthy.
In the 19th century, root cellars were developed to store vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other food items over the winter. In most places, cellars were typically dug out of the ground and left open to the natural elements.
Some wealthier households opted to build walls and ceilings to keep the inside of the cellar more dry and bug-free.
Cellars were not just limited to residential use. Many commercial establishments, such as breweries and distilleries, also made use of cellars to store their products. The air in the cellar was an important factor in producing a quality product, as the temperature and humidity of the environment needed to be regulated.
Other industries such as cheesemakers, butchers, and even some textile manufacturers also used cellars for storage. The cool, dark conditions prevented food from going bad and provided the perfect environment for fabrics to retain their color and texture.
Overall, cellars were an important part of households, businesses and industry for hundreds of years. In addition to storage, they provided a safer place to store important documents and valuables as well as a place of refuge during wartime.
Is a cellar up or down?
It depends on where the cellar is located in relation to where you are standing. If it is lower than where you are standing then it is “down” and if it is higher than where you are standing then it is “up”.
Generally, a cellar is located underground and, in that case, the cellar would be considered “down” if you are standing on the main floor of a building. However, there are exceptions to this, such as a building in a hillside where the cellar may only be partially underground and considered “up” from a lower elevation.
Additionally, there are some homes that have an above-ground cellar which would definitely be considered “up” in relation to the main floor of the building.