Technically Speaking You Need a Window, With The Correct Measurements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From a legal point of view, your basement can only be classified as a bedroom if there is a window in the room. This window has to meet certain size and height requirements that change from country to country. In the US this falls under the International Code Council<\/a> (ICC) standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thinking behind this is that a window can be used as an emergency escape route in the event of an unexpected emergency. While it\u2019s not so nice to think about the unlikely event of an emergency, these things need to be considered so that we can be prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A bedroom that only has one exit is an accident waiting to happen. Especially if that exit is at the top of a steep staircase. If something were to happen, a fire for example. And that exit is blocked or the staircase collapses. There is very little chance that the people in that basement will be able to escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t need to go into any more detail there as I\u2019m sure you can imagine the outcome without me having to explain it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why, by law, there has to be a window in any basement that has been converted into a bedroom. And not just any window either. The window has to be big enough and situated low enough in the wall to act as an emergency escape in the event of an emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The size and height of this window changes depending on the building code used in your area and in your country. So it is advised to check your local building codes to make sure you get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the US, according to the ICC, you need to have a window that opens to the outside and that can be opened easily without keys or tools.<\/strong> Furthermore, the window must follow the code requirements for the width and heigh of basement windows. The requirements are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An emergency escape is not the only thing that these size requirements are concerned about. Another aspect that window size has an effect on is light and ventilation. In building codes, there are certain targets you need to hit when it comes to natural light and natural ventilation in bedrooms. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The minimum size of basement bedroom windows<\/a> will take this into consideration and will make sure that your bedroom is both light and airy enough to meet these requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For better clarification, here’s a more in depth explanation of the list above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First off, let\u2019s start with windows as an emergency escape. The part of the window that can be opened must be at least 5.7 square feet. This only applies if the sill of the window is above the ground level outside. If not, the overall dimension of the window must be at least 9 feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Window openings need<\/a> to be at least 24 inches wide and at least 20 inches high. If the windowsill of a bedroom basement is lower than the ground level outside, there needs to be a window well on the outside that meets another set of minimum requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Next comes the height of the window sill. Bedroom window sills cannot be any higher than 44 inches above the floor of the bedroom. In older homes, the window sills are often a lot lower than this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is an exception for basement bedrooms though. The window sill can be higher than 44 inches if there is a permanent ladder or stairway leading up to the window.<\/strong> Remember, you need to be able to escape through this window in the unlikely event of an emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, let\u2019s talk about natural light. Everyone seems to want natural light in all rooms of their house. While it\u2019s lovely to live in a house that is always bathed in natural light, there is in fact a legal requirement regarding how much light enters your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your municipality follows the Uniform Building Code (UBC)<\/a> the area of the window must be no less than one-tenth of the room\u2019s floor area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have to follow the International Residential Code (IRC)<\/a>, this requirement drops to only 8 percent of the floor area of the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of ventilation, there are different requirements for the size of the window. The UBC requires that the area of the window is no less than one-twentieth of the area of the room. While the IRC requires only 4 percent of the area of the room to be the window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The above information covers the legal requirements of a bedroom<\/a> in a basement. But there are plenty of other things that go into deciding if your basement is a good place to put a bedroom. The rest of this post will look at a few things that you should consider when deciding if your basement is a good fit to be converted into a bedroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding an additional bedroom to your basement can add value to your home if it\u2019s done right. If you don\u2019t consider some of these important points though, it might end up being a disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you go down to your basement, how does it feel? Colder than the rest of the house? Most houses are built with uninsulated basements. Which is not a problem if you\u2019re using your basement just for storage. If you want to convert your basement into a bedroom, though, this might be a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll want to insulate against colder temperatures and noise. There are a variety of insulation options available. So do your research around which insulation fits your budget and your needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing to consider is moisture. Is damp an issue in your basement? Is there proper drainage around the outside? A flooded basement can be a disaster in the best of times. This problem will be a lot worse if there is a bedroom down there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple moisture barrier can take care of mild damp issues. This usually takes the form of a thin sheet of plastic and it can be installed at the same time as the insulation we discussed above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your basement is prone to flooding, you have a bigger problem on your hands and you should consult with your local building professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWindow Size and Availability Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"basement-bedroom-window-well\"](\"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/basement-bedroom-window-well.jpg\")
Clarifying The ICC Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/window-sill-max-44-inches.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat About Lightning And Ventilation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beyond The Law: Is Your Basement Actually a Good Living Area?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/basement-bedroom-cozy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs Your Basement Insulated?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is Your Basement Damp\/Moist Free?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is Your Basement Radon Free?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n