Basement windows: Help with a problem
I have an 1850s farmhouse with a field stone foundation topped with granite blocks, and then sills.
There are ventillation holes inset into the granite blocks. They had no glass, just screens. And they are framed into wood.
When I bought the house, I had foam insulation installed in the basement and the spray foamer sprayed in the empty spaces to seal them off. Most of the windows now have an piece of exterior plywood installed over them out side and painted.
THere used to be window wells, but at one point landscapers removed them, and now the base of the windows (the wood framing) is covered with gravel.
I’ve been thinking the old windows should be replaced with something. It occured to me that insulated glass block might be really nice.
Not sure if that can be installed and have the gravel put up against it. Or to have a piece of granite in place of the old wood and the glass block installed above grade.
Thanks for your help!
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Replies
dipolojarvie,
Unfortunately both the glass block and any wood around it needs to be above grade.
Also unfortunately, the "insulated" in insulated glass block is a marketing tool. They are about R-2.
Seves makes a glass block that is U0.19/ R5.3:
https://sevesglassblockinc.com/products/glass-block/high-performance/energy-block/nubio/nubio-8x8x4-11-energy
I have it in my shower. Even on the coldest days it's not cold.
The downside is it's about $30/block for an 8x8 block.
Although the price per square foot ends up working out about the same as a fixed window with a comparable U-factor.
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It would be a good idea to replace the window wells. There are many different prefabricated and custom options. The floor of the well should drain well, which may require a new underground drain pipe. Then it would be safe to install glass block, if that's what you want. I would just block it up with masonry, or if I wanted glass, I'd get a window made for that location. Or, on a few occasions, I have made fixed windows with rot-resistant wood frames.
Thanks Michael. Do you know what kind of contractor I would look for to block it up with masonry or to have windows made for the location? As you can see in the pictures, there's a variety of grades. Some of the windows don't have much space left, and some could have small windows that would let light into the basement. (It's not a full height basement for me. I can stand down there, but only between the joists.
Thanks guys.
I've attached photos of some of the windows.
If anyone has advice on how to deal with the situation appropriately, I welcome it. I'm considering options like having a mason fill them in with pieces of granite to match the foundation. Filling with concrete. Really not sure what the best solution is. It's hard to dig window wells, since the rain falls from the roof only about a foot into the gravel drainage.
That is very little space left. If you really want the light inside, there are ways to make it happen, and in order to fill the holes with anything you will need to do some excavation on the exterior. A stonemason is the trade who would do the work. Ensuring no groundwater can get through the joints will require a mason who understands waterproofing. A really good handyman might be able to do the work if you can't find a stonemason to do a small job.