I have 2 basement windows that are unusable since they are covered by a
large deck. I want to finish my basement and am thinking of just
framing over the windows and sheetrocking over them. I could insulate
them pretty good to prevent moisture issues.

Is this a bad idea, or should I remove the windows (they are in
concrete) and do something else....and what is the somethign else?

forgot to mention I live in upstate NY, so we get weather.

wrote:
I have 2 basement windows that are unusable since they are covered by a
large deck. I want to finish my basement and am thinking of just
framing over the windows and sheetrocking over them. I could insulate
them pretty good to prevent moisture issues.

Is this a bad idea, or should I remove the windows (they are in
concrete) and do something else....and what is the somethign else?

code issue alert

most code require basement windows. no windows cause ventilation
troubles espically if theres a water leak...

have you considered new windows in another location say other side of
basement.

what you decide today can cause big troubles when you decide to sell

you could put metal grates at the deck, they would allow some light and
ventialtaion, probably good for the underside of the deck.

are these ingress egress windows you propose removing?

wrote:
you could put metal grates at the deck, they would allow some light and
ventialtaion, probably good for the underside of the deck.

are these ingress egress windows you propose removing?

I also have 2 windows under a deck. When it was time to replace windows
in my house, I replaced the basement windows as well. I'm glad I kept
them for ventilation purposes.

I have 3 other windows and a door (walk out) in the basement...I am
wondering if it is a big deal to remove/reframe these 2 windows. I
don't think I will have a ventilation issue.


Mikepier wrote:
wrote:
you could put metal grates at the deck, they would allow some light and
ventialtaion, probably good for the underside of the deck.

are these ingress egress windows you propose removing?

I also have 2 windows under a deck. When it was time to replace windows
in my house, I replaced the basement windows as well. I'm glad I kept
them for ventilation purposes.

On 26 Sep 2006 07:44:13 -0700, wrote:

I have 3 other windows and a door (walk out) in the basement...I am
wondering if it is a big deal to remove/reframe these 2 windows. I
don't think I will have a ventilation issue.


Nobody knows what you mean by "A big deal",
and nobody knows what you're trying to accomplish by doing so.

*I* would leave the opening, and pipe either light (with a
flexible sun-pipe) or air, with ductwork, or both, from
the far side of the deck, because there's never enough
light or air in a basement. That said, no, there's
no reason you couldn't frame over the hole. If you're
going to do that, though, you probably should take
the window out completely, and fill the hole with
bricks, blocks or rocks and a weak mortar. (in case you
ultimately decide to take it out again.)
Leaving the window, or trying to fill the hole with
wood framing is an invitation to leaks, rot, and vermin.

--goedjn

I'd bet that someday for some reason you'll need to get to the inside
of those windows.

Having once lived in a basement with windows just like you describe, it
was still nice to open them from time to time for airflow. There
wasn't much of a view, of course.

-rev




wrote:
I have 2 basement windows that are unusable since they are covered by a
large deck. I want to finish my basement and am thinking of just
framing over the windows and sheetrocking over them. I could insulate
them pretty good to prevent moisture issues.

Is this a bad idea, or should I remove the windows (they are in
concrete) and do something else....and what is the somethign else?

wrote:
I have 2 basement windows that are unusable since they are covered by a
large deck. I want to finish my basement and am thinking of just
framing over the windows and sheetrocking over them. I could insulate
them pretty good to prevent moisture issues.

Is this a bad idea, or should I remove the windows (they are in
concrete) and do something else....and what is the somethign else?

Consider them as emergency exits, rather than windows with a view.

wrote:

I have 2 basement windows that are unusable since they are covered by a
large deck. I want to finish my basement and am thinking of just
framing over the windows and sheetrocking over them. I could insulate
them pretty good to prevent moisture issues.

Is this a bad idea, or should I remove the windows (they are in
concrete) and do something else....and what is the somethign else?

Have you thought about framing the deck around the windows so that light
still makes it to the basement? They can still act as an emergency egress
if necessary. Also the appearance might make it stand out over so many
square balconies.

Carolyn
--
Carolyn Marenger

I just did this - I removed the glazing units, put roof seal around the
outside of the frame and then screwed on a sheet of exterior plywood.
Then applied aother layer of roof seal to entire outside surface of the
plywood, and embedded aluminum flashing onto that layer. The flashing
comes in 18 inch wide rolls so is perfect width and cheap. Then gooped
around the edges of the outside with more roof seal. Then the inside,
filled the entire hole with r5 polystryrene, which gives about r60! I
think batts would be fine but with polystyrene there is nothing to hold
moisture - drywalling is next.

David

I have 2 basement windows that are unusable since they are covered by a
large deck. I want to finish my basement and am thinking of just
framing over the windows and sheetrocking over them. I could insulate
them pretty good to prevent moisture issues.

Is this a bad idea, or should I remove the windows (they are in
concrete) and do something else....and what is the somethign else?

I don't see any problems in doing this.
Insulation wont stop moisture though, unless you mean sweat if you climate
control your basement.
If that's what you want to do its your house and you shouldn't have any
issues doing it

kickstart