The Benefits of a Basement Window
If you have a great basement, but it seems a bit too dank and dark to use on a regular basis, you may want to install a new basement window. They can bring much needed light into your basement and create a warmer feel. Putting in a new basement window could turn your seldom used storage space into your favorite place to read or relax. It may become the favorite room in your home.
If you have experience, you can easily install the window on your own. But if you don’t feel comfortable cutting a hole in your wall and patching it with a fragile piece of glass, you will want to hire a professional. Regardless, there are some things that you will want to make sure are done. If your window is being installed below ground level, there will have to be a hole dug on the exterior wall to allow room for light and air to get in. Extra care should be taken to ensure that the window is not susceptible to water. If possible, slope the ground around the window away from the foundation so that water doesn’t pour in.
Another good idea is to construct and awning over the basement window. This will provide extra protection against leakage, as the awning will cover the window and flush water away from the window’s seams. It can also prevent direct sunlight from coming in the window, should you desire a more subdued ambiance. You should also make sure that your basement window has a good locking system, as it is very easy to enter a house through a basement widow that is ground level. One of the best kinds of locks is the internal deadbolt lock. It is built into the window and cannot be tampered with from the outside, preventing thieves from gaining access to your home.
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