Basement egress windows
#1
08-27-20, 06:01 AM
Join Date: Aug 2020
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Basement egress windows
I recently had a contractor install larger egress windows in my basement. His job was to finished all the outside.. work and I was going to finish inside after the windows were weatherproof and cosmetically finished. The problem is he left me with a horrific mess of a opening on the inside of the windows and not what I was expecting. ( a clean cut edges). Now I'm not sure how to even approach this to make it look decent.
#2
08-27-20, 06:15 AM
Group Moderator
What a mess. Kind of looks too high from the floor as well. Bottom of the opening cannot be more than 44" from the floor, per code. Not sure if that lock way up high would pass either. That's not specifically mentioned in codes.
You will frame up your wall as you normally would, keeping it symetrical with the window. Assuming you have maybe 3/8" of gap around the window edges, your studs and rough opening will be 3/4" larger than the window is. Lay a framing square on the window to make sure your rough opening will be square to the window. Once its framed up you will make a jamb (box) out of 3/4" plywood, and insert that into your rough opening... if you framed it correctly, it should be symmetrical with the window. If you are hanging drywall on the opening, the jamb should stick out 1/2" beyond the framing. Or you can make it flush and jamb extend it later. You will fasten that box to the rough opening... and you can spray foam the irregular gap between the concrete and the jamb. Use spreader sticks cut to fit inside the box to prevent the foam from blowing it in.
You will frame up your wall as you normally would, keeping it symetrical with the window. Assuming you have maybe 3/8" of gap around the window edges, your studs and rough opening will be 3/4" larger than the window is. Lay a framing square on the window to make sure your rough opening will be square to the window. Once its framed up you will make a jamb (box) out of 3/4" plywood, and insert that into your rough opening... if you framed it correctly, it should be symmetrical with the window. If you are hanging drywall on the opening, the jamb should stick out 1/2" beyond the framing. Or you can make it flush and jamb extend it later. You will fasten that box to the rough opening... and you can spray foam the irregular gap between the concrete and the jamb. Use spreader sticks cut to fit inside the box to prevent the foam from blowing it in.
#3
08-27-20, 06:29 AM
Member
Is this going to be a livable room in the home? If so then what Xsleeper suggested is the way to go. That 44" is of concern as X suggested to be a proper egress. If however, you're only looking to smooth out the rough edges and leave it at that, I would just use cement and smooth over the rough edges. You might even get a saw to cut it a bit smoother. Or build a wood frame around the edge and cement that into place.
#4
08-27-20, 06:33 AM
Group Moderator
There is a 2x4 wall going in front of the cement, as evidenced by the existing top plate and the 2x4 on the left. Improperly finished by current best practices I might add, but that's a different topic.
