I’m not a pro but we are building off of an architect’s design drawings vs construction drawings and she keeps telling us “They’ll know what to do.” She has provided a table of specs and some dimensions but we didn’t get a $10K package so… Anyways; my interest is in understanding what to expect so I can “check in” on progress and be reasonably sure I’m getting a quality job for the un-Godly sum we’ll be indebting ourselves.
So we’re having the basement (plans for future expansion to a “returning kids” appartment) made 9′ deep to allow for 8′ ceilings even after hanging air ducts etc below joists. How does the foundation get framed out for windows below the sill level? All of the foundation plans I’ve seen have the cavity as a knotch at the top end of the foundation, which would put our windows up into the ceiling!
I’m sure this is an easy “do”. Right?
Thanks in advance for your time and input.
Replies
The window well needs to be as deep as the window. The minimum size of the window is dictated by egress rules, but the size can be as large as you want. But the lower the window sill, the deeper the window well must be (and, among other things, at some depth egress rules will require some sort of ladder built in).
You need to get the window scheme approved by the building inspector, since it will be very expensive to correct after the fact.
Mak
What's the makeup of the foundation, size of the openings and what is above the sill? Your drawings submitted to inspection will need to have this and other details b/4 a permit is issued. There's no way from here to answer an engineering question from your description.
simply, the "notches" may be pockets for a beam or lintel which in turn would drop your glass down below the ceiling.
Hire a pro
MAK41 wrote:
I'm sure this is an easy "do". Right?
You say you're not a pro. So probably not for you.
Clarification?
MAK41 wrote:
How does the foundation get framed out for windows below the sill level?
First; I'm not attempting to "do" this myself but that should not keep me from understanding what the trade is doing.
Also; I'm not interested in an egress window per say in this particular area of the basement but all that aside, the top of any window needs to be below the future finished ceiling height. The foundation (poured 10" concrete) will stand 9' tall on it's footer. Then then a double sill plate and framed 2x6 wall above. The window voids in the foundation that I have seen to date are, "topless" for lack of a better term, for me. That is; if there is to be a glass block window installed that is 32" wide and 14" tall, then there would be a space left at the top of the foundation32"+ by 14+ as a RO. But, if the top of that window needs to be 1' below the sill (26"+) is the window installed with a wood header above it to fill the additional depth? Seems that would not be as desireable as it would be to have concrete all around.
I have to admit, I cannot immagine how the concrete would be filled over the boxed out RO nor can I see an easy way to set all windows at the same height all the way around the basement.
If haven't made this confusing enough I could try again but I am out of my element so my vocabulary is lacking.
Again, thanks for your time in responding.
no egress
If not an egress window, then typically a window buck (frame) will be set in place where you want the window to be.
The foundation guy has to build his forms off of a drawing of some sort. Just note on the plan that the top of the buck should be 12" or 16" or however many inches you want below the top of the poured wall.