Basements are required to have a certain number of exit points in the event of an emergency if you intend to use them as living spaces. Egress basement doors don't just fit the bill, they also help make your basement somewhere people would want to live, too. Here's what you need to know about egress basement doors.
If the basement is a habitable space, and a room that can be used for sleeping, then it does need an egress window. You can't have a legal bedroom in your basement without an egress window installed. If you are renting your basement out to tenants, you must provide options for safe exits in the case of an emergency.
Bulkhead doors are the most popular although you can opt for a standing door depending on how frequently the basement will be accessed. You can talk to your contractor to find the best type of door to suit your basement. A beautiful door will enhance the appeal of your property and add value.
So, what constitutes as a finished basement? A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls.
Several areas around a home's exterior need to be prepared before a new entrance door can be installed. Contractors will need to dig around the home's foundation so the ground is level with the bottom of the basement. They'll also need to cut directly into the concrete wall to make room for a new door.
A basement bedroom can technically count as a real bedroom if it meets specific standards. You'll need to find out what the code and permit requirements are in your local jurisdiction, whether you decide to DIY or hire a contractor, to make sure you remodel legally.
Cutting a Door into a Concrete Foundation
The actual process of cutting an opening into a concrete foundation is relatively simple. You will need a very large and powerful saw or a drill and a lot of water, in order to make the cut. Concrete cutting saws are usually large circular saws with diamond blades.
Overall the most expensive parts of finishing your basement are plumbing, flooring, waterproofing and egress window installation.
New homeowners have their financial limits when it comes to adding any “nice-to-haves”. This may be a reason why basements are often left unfinished. Yet homebuyers have many reasons to extend that extra money to finish this often-neglected part of the home.
In the US, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. That means if you spend $10,000 on improvements, the value of your property will increase by about $7,000. Although you may not recoup 100 percent of your expenses, that's a good return on investment for most home sellers.
Close the door to the basement to conserve heat and energy costs. Heat naturally rises from the lower levels of a house upward, but a draft through an opened basement door cuts right into the warmth of the main floor.
A trapdoor is a sliding or hinged door, flush with the surface of a floor, roof, or ceiling, or in the stage of a theatre. A trap door to a basement in a house is a common use.
Occupants of illegal basement and cellar apartments face potential dangers such as carbon monoxide poisoning, inadequate light and ventilation, and inadequate egress in the event of a fire.
Floor fans and a dehumidifier are additional options that may help keep a basement adequately ventilated. Another option is to install exhaust fans that connect to vents located throughout the basement.
Because some states have laws prohibiting basements from being used as habitable space, this effectively makes it illegal to live in your basement. However, there are certain states where it is perfectly acceptable to do so as long as you don't break any other laws.
Such environmental circumstances lead to the foul odor we refer to as “The Basement Smell.” Unfinished basements also create conditions optimal for mold growth because they often contain more organic content (dust, dirt, debris), encouraging fungal growth, than finished basements.
No, there are no immediate health risks. One answer says radon, but your basement will contain radon whether it is finished or not. There are no short term or immediate health risks. Please make sure there is a working carbon monoxide and smoke alarm along with a lit path to the exit in case of emergency.
Many unfinished basements have cold, concrete slab floors. At minimum, laying throw rugs over trafficked areas will keep feet warm and help to insulate the floor from the cold. For additional insulation, consider installing wall-to-wall carpet or engineered flooring.
If the basement walls are not floated, they will be thrust upwards, shifting the floor joists of the floor above and unsettling the walls on that floor. The damage will continue up the levels of the structure, as the walls are driven up into the floors and crack the walls above them.
The national average for finishing a basement of 1,000 square feet is between $7,000–$23,000, depending mostly on the following factors. Size of basement: The larger your basement space, the more it will cost to finish. State of basement: If the basement is already partially finished, the total cost may be less.
Installing an interior door in a concrete block wall runs between $1,300 to $2,200, whereas the cost to install an exterior door in a wall is $1,400 to $4,400. You can add an extra $400 to $800 to your budget if you want to create a larger wall opening.
You will need planning permission to install new windows and doors that are not replacing existing windows and doors of the same. The same rules apply if you are in a conservation area or listed building. Check before you replace windows and doors.