You acquire a significant additional area by choosing to design a house with a basement.
And, of course, it would be unwise to use the basement only for technical needs and storage of household goods. And to fully utilize the basement rooms like a living room, it is necessary to install windows.
Both for sunlight and natural ventilation of the premises. On a clear sunny day, a pair of windows is quite enough to provide an average level of natural light in the middle-sized basement.
And psychologically, spending time in a room with windows is much more comfortable than in a "concrete cube," even if well lit with electricity.
The process of selecting and installing windows for the basement has some features.
And somewhat different from that of conventional windows.
The main difficulty is that the basement windows are often located either below ground level or at an elevation of ten to twenty centimeters. This suggests that the windows will carry additional loads, mainly exposed to excessive moisture.
But, paying enough attention to the problem of selection and proper installation, you are sure to "win this battle.
Windows in the basement. What material is preferable
For installation in the basement, you should choose only windows made from modern materials and use the latest technology.
So you are guaranteed to save your money and time.
And nerves, since replacing new windows quickly deteriorated, you will not be happy.
Plastic windows for the basement
Modern windows from PVC - profiles have a soft opening of ten to fifteen percent more than the window of the same size made of other materials. And for the basement, fifteen percent is a very significant plus.
In this case, the plastic window will lose its qualities: neither heat insulation nor sound-protective qualities or structural strength.
If the base in your house is high enough, then the installation of metal windows will be very profitable financially. However, if the windows are located above ground level or half-buried, you can not spend money to order unique designs and buy regular budget windows.
The only condition of choice - the window should have opening casements (at least one) and a sufficiently good level of sound and thermal insulation.
Also, worry about high-quality waterproofing places where the contact frame the walls of the basement. It is best to use polyurethane foam for this purpose. It is expensive but effective and reliable.
Aluminum windows for the basement
Windows of the aluminum profile are appropriate for basement rooms only if you do not plan to arrange a basement for housing.
Because not such a window can sufficiently insulate the room, even if we are talking about the so-called "warm" aluminum profile.
If you plan to use the basement as a technical room, such as a boiler room or storage room, then the aluminum profile is quite suitable for you. For unheated rooms, its protective qualities are pretty enough.
And since aluminum windows are cheaper than plastic, their installation in technical areas is fully justified.
The number of color variations of aluminum designs is vast, and you can always choose a suitable option for your interior.
Wooden windows for the basement
Windows made of wood in the basement and semi-basement rooms are rarely installed.
Because the simple wooden windows are made using the old technology, they will not withstand operation for a long time in the basement. In addition, high humidity, lack of sun, and "drying" effects of wind quickly bring such frames into complete disrepair.
And modern wooden windows are produced by innovative technologies from high-quality wood with various impregnations and coatings, and although durable and "hardy," at a much higher cost than the most expensive and high-quality plastic. This makes their use of basement premises not quite financially justified.
But if you choose modern wooden windows, you will not regret it.
No other material except wood will give you such a cozy and "thorough" atmosphere. And if your house is made of timber with a natural stone finish, the combination with wooden frames will be perfect.
Basement floor. Features of window installation
There are several ways to provide quality natural light to basement and semi-basement rooms.
The first is, of course, the installation of windows.
But a variant using skylights and light pits is also possible.
The option is chosen depending on the design and height of the basement and your personal preferences. It is also possible to combine several varieties of basement glazing.
If the basement of your house is high, then the best option would be to install conventional windows. But, as the saying goes, "cheap and sulfuric."
And if the windows a half or fully underwater, then there are three possible options:
Installing windows
To be able to install a standard window, you will need to dig a pit.
Usually, it is finished with concrete or brick. The pit can have both rectangular and semicircular shapes, and its size should be slightly larger than the size of the window.
Sometimes, pits close lattices. This option has a double benefit - and the penetration of intruders will save and secure from falling into the hole of children or pets.
The bottom pit should be deepened by about fifteen to twenty centimeters below the window sill and must be equipped with a drainage grate. Otherwise, you get a window "aquarium instead after a rain or spring flooding."
The water diversion should be carried out in a storm drainage system or use a perforated drainage pipe, deepening it a meter into the ground and filling around the crushed stone. This way, you will get an absorption well, distributing water evenly in the soil.
