Positioning window within a 10" block basement wall
#1
10-12-05, 08:08 PM
Positioning window within a 10" block basement wall
As part of a basement finishing project, I will be installing an egress window. The basement walls are constucted of 10" blocks. Covering the blocks on the outside is stucco. I'll be using pressure treated wood (I was thinking 2X8) to construct a buck for the window. I'll be finishing the walls with drywall.
With 10" blocks, there's obviously a lot more block depth than window depth. Where's the best place to position the window? Flush with the stucco? Toward the interior wall, so there's a little overhang in the front to keep water away? Other position? What are the considerations when choosing a position?
Thanks in advance.
With 10" blocks, there's obviously a lot more block depth than window depth. Where's the best place to position the window? Flush with the stucco? Toward the interior wall, so there's a little overhang in the front to keep water away? Other position? What are the considerations when choosing a position?
Thanks in advance.
#2
10-12-05, 08:34 PM
Group Moderator
Most residential windows are set about 2" to 2 1/2" back from the face of their trim. This is kind of a standard look. However, windows in brick facades appear deeper, because of about 4" of brick in front of the trim. Your basement windows would not look unusual if they were set into the wall, but you should also try to match the look on the rest of the house.
Will you be returning the stucco right to the window edge? You will want to give special consideration to keeping water from sitting at the bottom of the opening. This may mean sloping the stucco on the bottom (like a sill, so that water drains away from the window at the bottom).
Will you be returning the stucco right to the window edge? You will want to give special consideration to keeping water from sitting at the bottom of the opening. This may mean sloping the stucco on the bottom (like a sill, so that water drains away from the window at the bottom).
#3
10-13-05, 07:46 AM
Positioning window within a 10" block basement wall
Thanks for the reply. Yes I plan on bringing the stucco to the window edge. My plan is for the bottom rough sill to be masonry. I'll be sure to slope it, as you suggest.
The Anderson instructions say to keep a minimum of 1/2" space between sill and masonry. Isn't that a lot of space to caulk? What am I missing?
The Anderson instructions say to keep a minimum of 1/2" space between sill and masonry. Isn't that a lot of space to caulk? What am I missing?
#4
10-13-05, 10:15 AM
Group Moderator
I'm not sure what model Anderson window you're talking about, but most Anderson windows have a step sill, where the main part of the sill is actually inside the rough opening, but the front edge of the sill (the part that is stepped down) is 1/2" lower than the other part. Thus, the bottom edge of the step sill will be sitting right on the masonary as long as the masonary is 1/2" below your rough opening.
