Longmont Colorado Basement Finish Guide
If you are preparing to get your basement finished and are wondering what the Longmont basement finish requirements are, then you have come to the right people! Most requirements for a basement finish in Northern Colorado are similar but there are always a few things that can use clarification. We will try to answer a few of these questions below, and if you have more questions, give us a call and we are happy to help in any way we can!
Basement Floating Wall Requirements
Floating walls are a requirement in Northern Colorado due to what is called “expansive soils” which is a clay that expands and contracts based on the moisture in the soil. In your basement this can translate to the basement slab moving up and down which can translate to the basement walls moving up as well if your walls aren’t floating walls. A floating wall hangs from the ceiling above and requirements are that there is a 1.5″ gap at the bottom to allow for the basement floor to rise without affecting the house above.
Basement Insulation Requirements
For basements in the City of Longmont there are two insulation minimum requirements. If your home has blanket or continuous insulation on the exterior walls R10 insulation will meet requirements, and if insulation has to be installed in the framed walls then R13 s the minimum. Due to the dense cement walls and being mostly underground the minimal amount of insulation is usually enough to maintain a comfortable space!
Basement Electrical Requirements
Basement electrical requirements are not too different from the rest of the house however there are a few things to remember for the project. The main code item is to be sure all circuits in the basement are on Arc fault / GFCI breakers. Make sure not to add lighting or outlets to the furnace or any sump pumps. If your electrical panel is lacking space for the necessary circuits consider having a sub panel installed in the basement to allow for your basements power needs.
