[scaesare]

Well, I'm trying not to ask a new question EVERY day, but...


I need to remove 2 widows in my basement. They are approximately 1'x2', and are set in the upper 20% of the concrete wall that is above grade.


After removeing them, I am considering framing in the hole using PT 2x4's and concrete anchors. I'll use a liberal amount of weather-proof caulking at the wood-to-concrete joiint. I'll drywall over the inside.


On the outside, I need to cover over this new hole in the concrete. I'm considering using some sort of exterior grade siding to attach to the framing.


Any issues with this plan? Any suggestions on a material that will blend in better with the lower concrete wall? It's the type that has the "brick look facia" cast in to it, and has been painted white to match the house siding.


Thanks again!

 

[cowtown]

To save myself the trouble of what to do with the old window I ended up framing in the window, spray foam etc. Then insulated then vapor barried then drywalled over it. This works great for me and I'm happy the window is now gone in the basement. I personally decided that it wasn't worth the effort trying to close in that window permanently and if it came down to it and the next owner of the home or even myself wanted to have that window again it can happen this way.


It can be a real problem getting that stuff to match on the outside. With the window still there you get a "free" fix for your hole. If you're concerned about how it looks you can paint it black like I did. You can't even tell from the outside it's been closed in and most people on the inside that saw it before don't even remember it being there since it's so seamless.

 

[usehername]

Glass Block is what I would do. A patch will show for sure but if you want to do it with wood use a piece of Tile backer board like DurRock or WonderBoard instead of the plywood. This is a cement based sheet. You can get it in most lumber yards in 3x5 or 4x4 ft peices. Then you can trowel a cement based product on it to blend into the foundation. Glass block will look in place from the outside and you can build right over it inside.

 

[Neuner]

Are these windows there for code? Every house I've been in, including my own, has the small windows if a LL access point is not available.


Anyway, if it's *legal*, 'to code', I would just seal them up with conc. In my Opinion, it would be easier to make a form & pour thickened conc into it.

 

[Bob_The_Builder]

I've taken the insulated foam board (2" thick) and spray painted the one side black. And just put it over the window (making it a tight fit), then caulked and sealed that from the inside. Then put the normal insulated wall right over it all.


The only 'code' issue with the basement windows is the egress of the larger ones, which each basement should have. That one shouldn't be closed in. But the smaller ones that you referred to can be.

 

[scaesare]

Thanks for the replies...


I had considered the "just leave the window there and insulate/frame behind it" option, but was concerened about longevity.


This is going to be behind my screen. What are you going to do 3 years down the road when the glass gets a crack in it from a lawnmower rock?