Old basement window replacement

topic posted Mon, October 5, 2009 - 11:34 AM by  Chris
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Hi All,

I live in a house that was built around 1952. It has the old-style windows, cemented in place and not very energy efficient. Recently the wife and I got locked out and had to break through the basement window to get in. We were thinking of replacing it with something more energy efficient.

Here are pics of the window and the frame.

holloweyesphoto.blogspot.com/200...html

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks.


Regards,


Chris
posted by:
Chris
Denver
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  • Re: Old basement window replacement

    Mon, October 5, 2009 - 8:11 PM
    Those windows are slid into slots in the block on both sides, put in before the wood was installed above them. So to get them out you have to cut through the steel framing ( the bottom is easiest) and "fold" the frame inward pulling the sides of the frame out of the slots in the concrete blocks, no easy job. Or you could build a thin wood frame over them, but that reduces the size of already small windows, and you can't use standard window size.
    • Re: Old basement window replacement

      Mon, October 12, 2009 - 2:21 PM
      meantime, why not replace the glass and put that window back in?

      you ain't doing yourself a lot of energy savings by looking at that hole in the wall.

      further, unless you use that room as an occupied space (in-laws, teen bedroom) , you might focus elsewhere for energy savings: the basement isn't where the heat is escaping your house.
      • Re: Old basement window replacement

        Mon, October 12, 2009 - 5:11 PM
        These are steel framed, and built into the block foundation wall, and can only be removed buy cutting the frame and tearing them out. They are all standard sized and inexpensive replacements are easy to find. This is standard replacement procedure, done tooo many of them !
  • Re: Old basement window replacement

    Mon, October 12, 2009 - 4:23 PM
    3 options>>>

    - double-pane insulating windows available from some manufacturers. Get the nearest size and fill in around it with wood on installation.
    - reuse existing windowframes with panes replaced. A rubber moding -edged piece of plexiglass cut to size to jam into the window opening would act as an economic but effective air insulating layer.
    - brick in the window opening, refinishing both inside and outside to match surrounding existing materials & colors.

    tip>
    hide a doorkey inside a jar under a rock in the bushes,
    against lockouts.

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