What is a 'michigan basement'?

Answer 1

In Michigan a partially "dug-out" basement is a Michigan basement. Not finished off, usually with dirt walls & floor sometimes partially "finished" with cement or cinder blocks and a cement floor. Usually very damp, & has a very unique odor of damp & dirt and sometimes a musty mildewey smell depending upon how damp it gets.

My family had one, the floors were covered with cement and there was poured cement part way up the "walls" (that was obviously put in after the house was built) then dirt, then the cinderblock foundation of the house. The ceiling was basically the floor above, with exposed beams and supports. There were also crawl spaces which were just cinderblock or cement supported holes with an exposed dirt "floor" running along the foundation of the house for the wiring and plumbing.

It's really a regional term as obviously these types of basements can be found pretty much anywhere, in some places they might be referred to as a cellar instead of a basement. I have even heard them referred to as "Long Island basement" here where I live now.

Answer 2

Michigan Basement

Answer 3

Yes, It has to do with MI. Back in the 1800's, before and early 1900's a lot of homes were built with Michigan Basements. Simply put, it means a dirt floor. Sometimes people poured concrete over it, that is why you may see some basements around that have very lo ceilings. Most the homes I have seen with them have only a partial- MI basement if any left.

Answer 4

A Michigan basement is a a partial dug-out in older homes built in the 1920's. It is often made up of cement or earthen material and has a very low ceiling. It is a very small space that would often function as a storage for some.

Answer 5

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Without seeing the basement I think it would be hard to answer that question, but here I go. You have a couple of options: 1) raise the house and construct a normal basement - it's not as pricey as you would think. 2) build cinder block walls to finish the basement. If you decide upon option 2 make sure that you build enough support for the floor of the house above. Anything is possible you just have to be willing to do the work.

Answer 6

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RE:
What is a 'michigan basement'?

Answer 7

The term "Michigan basement" is variously applied to what, in other parts of the country, is often referred to as a "cellar." It can be part of the original construction of a house or it can be an area dug beneath a house that was originaly built over a crawl space. The floor may be dirt or concrete and the walls may be exposed soil, masonry brick or block, or poured concrete. A Michigan basement has a lower ceiling height than a basement and is not considered as habitable space, i.e., space to be used for living, sleeping, dining, etc. Rather, they are commonly used for storage and, in some instances, for laundry equipment.

Answer 8

Being a life-long Michigander, I had always thought a Michigan basement had stone walls.

Answer 9

Yes, Mr.V is correct. It is almost always a partial basement & always has a dirt floor.

Answer 10

It basically is a dirt basement, not supported by any masonry walls