What are the best windows for your basement?
We choose Marvin for a variety of reasons:
- ENERGY STAR® rated Marvin products offer homeowners consistent savings due to their energy efficiency.
- Marvin windows offer homeowners the durable, long-term performance they’re looking for in window replacements.
- Marvin windows give homeowners indoor comfort year-round, eliminating the problems that come with leaky windows.
How to build a fake window in a basement?
“Fake windows” options for a basement or home office
- Use mirrors to simulate a window. Hanging an oversized mirror somewhere in your basement can be a fake mirror option. ...
- Use drapery to create window illusions. Also, you can hang drapery on a rod and place it over a large mirror. ...
- Install the right lighting. ...
- Keep the decor light and simple. ...
- The equipment you need. ...
How much does a basement window cost?
In other words, it takes several years before a basement window will require replacement. On the whole, the cost implications of having your basement window (s) replaced are around $500 and $7,000. On average, you might incur a replacement cost of about $650. Now, your particular situation or need might differ from other homeowners’.
How do I replace a basement window?
Simple How to Steps for Replacing Basement Windows
- Tools. You should have a claw hammer, tape measure, caulking gun, chisel and pry bar available. ...
- Window Removal. Typical single-pane windows can be removed fairly simply. ...
- Standard Window Installation. Prepare your new window frame and insert it into the opening. ...
- Glass Block. ...
What are the different types of basement windows?
Whether designing a new home, remodeling, or simply installing replacement basement windows, the choice of windows is usually between three different types. These are hopper windows, slider windows and awning windows.
What is the name of basement window?
Egress windows are large openings that offer a secondary exit in case of an emergency. They can also add more natural light and make your basement feel more inviting. Basement bedrooms and living spaces are required to have egress windows.
Why do basements have tiny windows?
The theory goes this way, if someone is on a sofa in the basement watching TV they could easily fall asleep and in the event of a fire must be provided with an Escape Route or an Egress window or door.
What are the things called around basement windows?
Window wellsIf your home features a basement with windows at, or just below, ground level, chances are you also have window wells. These semi-circular cut-outs surround your windows, allowing light into the basement.
What is a basement hopper window?
A hopper window is small, often used for bathroom or basement window installation, and tilts downward and inward. When the glass pane is open, the window provides ventilation in tight spaces. Hopper windows are typically less expensive than sliding windows, which move from side to side.
What is the smallest egress window?
Basement Egress Window Requirements The bottom of the egress window opening can't exceed 44" from the finished floor. The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5.7 square feet. The minimum egress window opening height is 24" high. The minimum egress window opening is 20" wide.
Are egress windows worth?
Are Egress Windows Worth it? An egress window is a great way to make your home safe and comfortable and an excellent way to add instant value to your home. It is a fairly affordable project and one of the few that will fully recoup your costs in resale value. Plus, it only takes a few days to complete!
What do you do with basement window wells?
Spruce up your Existing Well1 Hang Plants. Hanging plants from your existing egress window well can go a long way towards increasing your view. ... 2 Decorate. Many people simply overlook their egress window as a place where they can decorate. ... 3 Plant Flowers.
Is it worth putting in an egress window?
An egress window converts your basement space into more livable space for an additional bedroom, a home office or a family room. Not only does it create more comfortable space to live, it can also significantly contribute to the resale value of your home.
How do basement egress windows work?
0:418:37Egress Basement Window Installation | How To | DIY Home ImprovementYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd deeper than the new window and also about 2 feet paths where the far edge of the well will beMoreAnd deeper than the new window and also about 2 feet paths where the far edge of the well will be you'll need this extra room for cutting the concrete as well as securing the well to the house.
Do all basement windows need window wells?
Quick answer: If you have a basement window that is fully or partially below grade, you will need a window well to prevent leaking and help bring in light. If the basement window is in a habitable room, then you will need a window well and window that conforms to IRC Building Code emergency egress requirements.
Do basement window wells have drains?
“Typically window wells have a drain that is connected to the foundation drainage system or drains to daylight somewhere in the yard,” Dennison said. “Over time that drain could become clogged and could possibly need to be cleaned out.”
What is the least expensive basement window?
Hopper windows are the least expensive type of basement window, but usually offer the widest range of options in sizes. Slider windows, as their name suggests, are designed to open and close by sliding from side to side. Also referred to as glider or sliding windows, they are well-suited for larger windows as well as for situations ...
What is a sliding screen on a basement window?
The screen on a slider basement window may be either on the inside or on the outside of the window frame.
How do awning windows work?
Awning windows are hinged to the top of the window frame, and open by swinging from the bottom out, much like a fabric awning. Since this window tilts outward at an angle, it can be opened for ventilation even in the rain or snow. The window screen is usually installed on the inside of the window frame.
What is a hopper window?
Hopper windows are basic, standard basement windows. This type of basement window hinges to the bottom of the window frame, and opens by tilting inward from the top. For this reason, the window screen on a hopper window is typically installed on the outside of the window frame. This is the least expensive type of basement window, ...
Why are window wells used?
Window wells are commonly used to comply with building codes requiring that a basement with sleeping quarters or other livable space have an escape window.
What is a window bubble?
This type of window also lets natural daylight into the basement. A window bubble is a dome-shaped, plastic or vinyl cover that is designed to fit over a window well. Also referred to as a window well cover, it helps insulate the window well as well as protect it from dirt, animals, plant debris, and the elements.
What is an egress well?
Seconds. An egress well is a basement window enclosure that surrounds a low-level window. Hopper windows are the least expensive type of basement window, but usually offer the widest range of options in sizes.
Where are casement windows found?
Casement windows are found a lot in bathrooms and in basements that have more of the basement showing above ground. They are typically taller than they are wide and like the hopper window, they open as one whole window outwards. They also normally feature privacy options.
What is a hopper window?
Hopper windows are a basic design that includes a strong frame around one piece of glass that opens by tilting inward or outward as an entire unit. They are a classic basement window design that frequently incorporates frosted glass or other effects like glass block to allow for privacy in buildings where the windows either face the street or are close to a public access area. Hopper windows are normally wide and not very tall. When shopping for hopper windows, you might note that they are not so different from awning windows. The primary difference is that awning windows tend to tilt out from the bottom, making them a poor choice for a basement window unless they are installed upside-down.
Can you have sliding glass doors in the basement?
As mentioned, if you have a daylight basement, having a sliding glass door coming off the back of your basement can be a nice way to enjoy both a basement in the front and a deck experience in the back of your home. Although most sliders have the same engineering ratings, it is helpful when you shop for basement sliders for you to gravitate towards those which have the strongest frame so that if your home settles, your door won’t stick. Slider windows that are smaller are a popular choice to face the street.
Can you use wood for basement windows?
The conventional wisdom is that wood is one material that you want to avoid for basement windows because the window itself is near the ground, making it closer to moisture that can cause the frame or the window to rot or shrink or expand, according to the New York Times. Most contractors will therefore recommend that you use vinyl framed windows. Vinyl can be cleaned easily. It is impervious to mold and other types of ground-borne dampness problems. It is also the primary type of window that is sold as a new window and as a replacement window- so if you want to change your windows at any point, you won’t have to worry about replacing all of them so they still match.
Required Size for Basement Windows
If you are creating a living space in your basement, such as a bedroom, then you will need to meet certain requirements in order to legally call this a ‘finished basement.’ This is important when it comes to the resale of your home because you will be able to list it for a higher price if you have additional finished living areas.
Air Circulation
Basements are renowned for being damp, which can lead to several issues. First of all, a damp basement will have a stale smell that is unpleasant to be around, and it may be strong enough to make you want to stay away from this area of your home.
Natural Light
Basements can be dark spaces, especially if they don’t have many windows. To maximize the natural light in a dark basement, choose a large window to allow a generous amount of daylight in. Alternatively, you may prefer several smaller windows.
