What do you put under a window well?
The bottom of the well should contain loose gravel, which also helps with drainage. This should not be allowed to become too compacted or it will also cause water to collect in the well. You can either replace gravel periodically or remove it and clean it before putting it back in place.
How do I secure my egress window well?
7 Tips to Secure Your Basement Windows
- Light up the outside. Some research suggests that lights deter crime. …
- Reinforce the glass. …
- Add window locks. …
- Install security cameras. …
- Beef up your security system. …
- Secure your window wells. …
- Don’t tempt fate.
How do you make a homemade window well?
How to Install or Replace a Window Well
- Tools and Materials: Shovel, level, hammer drill, wall anchors, gasket, wheelbarrow, drainage rock.
- Step 1: Check backfill and window position.
- Step 2: Measure dimensions.
- Step 3: Dig hole.
- Step 4: Insert window well.
- Step 5: Add sealant or gasket.
- Step 6: Secure anchor.
What material is a window well?
Standard window wells are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and may be constructed from two materials: corrugated steel or plastic. Corrugated steel wells are the most common option.
Should I put rocks in my window well?
Manufacturers of the metal window well suggest digging deeper into the well and placing 12 inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly. This simple project along with a cover for your metal window well will stop the water from seeping into your foundation.
Should window well be attached to foundation?
A properly designed and installed window well will be sized appropriately for the window, bolted securely to the foundation wall and feature a functioning drain that carries water into a drain tile system or out to daylight. If any of these features are missing or compromised, the window well is likely to flood.
How do you cut a concrete foundation for an egress window?
How to Complete a Concrete Cut for an Egress Window
- 1 Mark the window outline from the inside. …
- 2 Build a temporary support wall. …
- 3 Hang plastic to contain dust. …
- 4 Drill hole through Centerlines. …
- 5 Mark the window outline from the outside. …
- 6 Drill Holes at each corner. …
- 7 Cut the concrete. …
- 8 Knock out the block.
How do you protect glass windows from burglars?
How to Burglar-Proof Your Windows
- Window Bars. One of the simplest and most affordable solutions for how to burglar-proof windows is to install bars on the exterior of the windows. …
- Window Security Films. …
- Window Locks. …
- Polycarbonate Safety Shields. …
- Motion Sensor Lights. …
- Security Cameras.
Do I need a header for an egress window?
You do need a header. Its size will be predicated on the width of your house, though, so you haven’t provided sufficient information to answer your question.
What kind of stone is used for window wells?
pea gravel
Use pea gravel or ¾ inch or smaller free-draining rock, around the well stopping approximately 1 foot down from the top of the window well. Backfilling by hand, start at the farthest area from the foundation, evenly distributing the stone as you fill.
What is the purpose of basement window wells?
The Importance of Basement Window Wells
That’s why there needs to be a basement window well together with the window. This window well supports the earth in the dig-out and prevents dirt from collapsing onto the window. It also allows the window to provide views and ventilation.
What is the best egress window?
For determining egress window sizes and placement, the International Building Code advises that every bedroom must contain at least one egress window. It must be at least 5.7 square feet, 20 inches wide by 24 inches high, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor.
How much value does an egress window add?
If you add an egress window to your 120 square foot basement bedroom, that could translate as an additional $7,140 or $9,996 in resale value (or 50%-70% of $119 x 120 square feet).
Can a double hung window be used for egress?
Double-Hung Windows
They can be used as egress windows, but even when they’re fully open, more than half of their overall area is blocked by glass. That said, their overall height must be close to four feet nine inches to meet the requirements.
Can you finish a basement without an egress window?
In most cases, the answer is yes. A finished basement project must incorporate an Egress window if any portion of the space will be used as a bedroom, or if you are creating another habitable space (a family room, for example) that does not already have an Egress window or a door.
Can you add an egress window to a basement?
If you are installing an egress window in a basement to comply with your building code, there are specific requirements you’ll need to meet. The egress window must open into a window well outside the foundation that must be at least 36 inches wide and provide at least 9 square feet of space when the window is open.
Can you finish a basement in an old house?
In my experience, most “finished” basements under old homes are musty, dungeon-like spaces with delaminated paneling and moldy, sagging drop-ceiling panels. Today there are new products that, combined with proper planning, preparation and implementation, could create a pleasant, more useable space under the house.
How many egress windows are required in a basement in Ontario?
The Ontario Fire Code requirements are different still, particularly when it comes to rental properties, such as boarding, lodging and rooming houses. The code states that each floor area shall be served by at least two exits. In regards to basement bedrooms, one exit can be through the stairs to the first floor.
Do I need an egress window in my basement Ontario?
In Short. To put it all simply, if you are developing your basement in Ontario you will need an egress window that has a wide clearance and be easily opened. The Great Egress Company provides a curated collection of windows that meet egress requirements.
What makes a basement bedroom legal in Ontario?
As a health and safety matter, the Ontario Building Code regulates a minimum ceiling height in all finished spaces. Basement spaces are permitted to be as low as 1950mm (6′ 5”) under beams and ducts, however at least 75% of the required floor area must be at least 2100mm (6′ 11”) high.
