Congratulations! You either just bought a house or are considering doing some refurb work to your existing house. You might have found that many Mount Dora new homes had nice, furnished basements with exposed ceilings. There are some compelling reasons to leave the ceiling in a basement the way it is, but it will come with some downsides.
Starting with the Pros
Let’s start positive. What are the upsides to leaving the ceiling exposed?
1. It’s Cheaper
It probably won’t surprise you that not putting in the effort and money to cover your basement’s ceiling is the most cost-effective move (initially, at least). That doesn’t mean it has to look rough. You can always paint the beams and bundle wires to look tidy.
Of course, if you’re shopping for homes for sale in Mount Dora, Florida, and your dream home already has a covered basement ceiling, in that case, leaving it alone is the cheapest option!
2. There’s More Height
When the basement ceiling is finished, it will take away from the room’s height. A finished ceiling might feel claustrophobic if you or your family are fairly tall. When finishing the ceiling, you could lose up to a foot of that height.
3. It’s Easy to Work On
Need to access pipes, ducts, or wiring? No problem! It’s all right there, ready for you or a repair technician to get to work.
4. It Can Look Really Cool
Industrial design might be up your alley, in which case, leave it open and incorporate it into your home’s design language. All those wires, pipes, trusses, and beams aren’t a problem if it’s what you want!
Now for the Cons
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, so let’s cover the downsides.
1. It’s Less Insulated
Good luck keeping a consistent temperature and humidity level without racking up high power bills. If you don’t mind your basement temp rolling with whatever mother nature decides, this con is not as big of a deal.
2. It’s Noisier
From the lack of acoustic deadening causing plenty of echo to every upstairs footstep, you’ll have to get used to how it sounds.
3. Your Basement Might Not Count Toward Square Footage
No matter how nice your basement is, if the ceiling is exposed, an appraiser most likely won’t consider the basement in your house’s square footage. This can affect you when selling or refinancing your home.
4. It’s Going to Get Cobwebs
Spiders will be making their homes in the rafters unless you clean constantly.
Are Exposed Basements Worth It in Mount Dora New Homes?
That’s up to you! Everyone has their preferences, and if the industrial look and ease of remodeling matter to you, you will be happy to put up with the negatives. If consistent temperature and solid appraisals are what you’re after, cover it up! There’s no one right answer for your home. But think hard about what you want out of your basement.
