Although in the past, the basement was only used as a storage room due to its dampness, nowadays, with the improvement of the manufacturing process, the function of the basement is becoming more and more diverse. There are many questions and discussions about the appropriate basement windows regarding the intended use of the basement.
In this article, we provide information on general conditions and requirements for basements as well as different window types, possible uses, materials, glazing, and more.
Basement Use: What Are The Requirements And Regulations?
Today, the basement has gradually become people’s living space, and hobby room is more and more popular. Heating is required for comfort during cooler seasons. For new buildings, it is possible to choose windows that are consistent with the insulation of floors, ceilings and walls during project planning, for adhering to energy saving. In older buildings, as part of renovation work, basement windows may need to be replaced.
In addition to the insulating properties and energy efficiency of basement windows, lighting conditions and ventilation are equally important. While the largest possible glass surface allows for plenty of light in the basement, the different ways of opening the windows allow for unobstructed ventilation. And the latter is moisture-proof and mildew-proof.
If you just want to use your basement as a storage room, “simple” windows are the way to go. But most importantly, safety and theft need to be considered. Adequate ventilation also needs to be considered if you also want to protect your storage from moisture.
If the basement is used as a boiler room or laundry room, adequate ventilation must be ensured, especially in the boiler room. That’s why permanent ventilation is very popular, without the need for manual work.
the basement windows in laundry room
What Types Of Basement Windows Are Available?
Different places have different requirements for the use of windows. This means that there are many types of windows. There are three basic basement window types: tilt windows, tilt and turn windows, and steel basement windows.
Regardless of the window type, basement windows are generally one or two sashes. The double sash type is common in tilt and turn windows and steel basement windows. There is a central strip between the sashes to stabilize the windows, but the steel windows in the basement can cancel this central strip for ventilation. Fixed glazing without sashes can also be used in basements, but is less common. If this type of window is used, consideration needs to be given to ensuring other proper ventilation forms.
Bottom Hung Window
Tilt windows are classic basement windows that ventilate the room by tilting the sash (on a horizontal axis of rotation). Latches or scissors that attach the sash to the frame adjust the opening of the basement window. In most cases, different window opening angles can be set to individually adjust air circulation. At the same time, there is no need to fully open the windows for permanent ventilation.
Turn-tilt windows
Tilt And Turn Window
In addition to tilting the structure, you can also “turn” the sash of a turn-tilt window to fully open the window. Depending on the structure of the interior, you can choose to have the windows open left or right (via a vertical rotation axis) into the basement. Indoor window handles allow the sash to be tilted or turned. Tilt and turn windows are becoming more and more popular because they are flexible and you can choose continuous ventilation or “intermittent ventilation”.
Steel Basement Window
This is a functional variant of a basement window. It is very stable with an integrated protective grille. Most of them can only be opened by a rotary mechanism, while the protective grille ensures safety when the sash is opened.
What Material Are Basement Windows Made Of?
Plastic basement windows have very good insulating properties and are therefore very popular. It is important to ensure energy efficiency, especially in the living room, otherwise you will be in breach of the energy saving concept and your heating costs will also increase unnecessarily. Our plastic basement windows are often equipped with insulated glass, which also helps reduce heat transfer to the outside. Using PVC plastic, it is very easy to care for and saves a lot of effort. Additionally, the rubber seal between the sash and frame provides protection against moisture and weather.
Plastic Basement Window
Basement windows made of galvanized steel, very robust and durable, the windows have a high degree of stability and resistance to external influences. They also have a long lifespan, which is an advantage that further increases safety. However, the insulating properties of the material steel are poor. In addition, the acrylic glass for such windows is “thinner”, which means they are only suitable for functional rooms.
Steel Basement Window
Which Glazing Is Possible With A Basement Window?
Depending on the requirements for different insulating properties of the basement, different types of glazing can be used. The Ug value determines the heat transfer of the window glass. The lower the value, the better the insulating effect of the glass and the less heat will escape to the outside. Single pane safety glass (ESG) or acrylic glass is used for steel basement windows, where the Ug value is very high, which is why glass insulation is relatively poor.
And double glazing (insulating glazing) is the standard for most plastic basement windows. Our tilt windows, tilt and turn windows are also equipped with insulating glass. For better window insulation, you can use double glazing with extra inert gas between them, or you can even use triple glazing.
In addition to the good insulating value, double and triple glazing has the advantage that part of the glazing can be replaced with special glass such as decorative glass or laminated safety glass. Decorative glass is becoming more and more popular because it makes windows look better. With laminated safety glass, it increases the safety of the window – on the one hand it increases the stability of the glass and on the other hand prevents the glass from shattering in the event of a foil breakage.
Our Suggestion: Right For Your Basement Windows.
We manufacture all kinds of basement windows. Combined with the situation of your basement, we here recommend some suitable windows for you.
Living Room
High quality tilt and turn windows are perfect. The KF-98 single-leaf tilt and turn window can achieve a very suitable narrow face width, which complements the high-quality PVC plastic and is very modern. For larger window sizes with greater stability, we recommend the premium tilt and turn window profile 570. The steel bars inside the windows and the glazing beads in the sashes are of high quality, and this model is no slouch. In addition, there is a two-leaf version of this basement window.
basement windows in living room
Hobby Room
The tilt and turn window KF-98 is used as a basement window and is well insulated. Alternatively, if you want to install tilting windows, you can opt for tilting windows with low viewing heights and removable sashes.
basement windows in hobby room
Washroom
We recommend tilting windows that can be paired with different glass, which is especially suitable for laundry rooms. You can improve the insulation of the windows at will. Due to the tilting design, the basement is ventilated enough during washing without having to fully open the windows. You can also install additional protective grilles to improve window security.
basement windows in wash room
Boiler Room
If your basement is a boiler room and we have a perfect window in our range. For special cases, we convert the tilting windows into boiler room windows. Part of the glass surface was replaced by a perforated plates, allowing ventilation even when the windows are closed.
Storage Room
Steel basement windows are great for a basement as a storage room. You won’t be going into the this room every day, so safety is important. Due to its material properties, SF steel basement windows are very robust. A permanently integrated protective grille ensures safety when the sash is opened. And steel basement windows SSD, made of hot-dip galvanized steel, are more flexible, and you can open the protective grille from the inside. Both of them are highly secure and very reliable.
