Apr 10, 2018
House Renovation Videos & Resources
This is to help me keep track for a project I’m working on now or in the future, but maybe they’ll help other people too.
Product lists and links aren’t endorsements — just here to help me remember things to consider.
I’m NOT at all an expert, so I can’t answer any questions or make any recommendations. Good luck!
How to Insulate a Basement — This Old House
Read This Before You Finish Your Basement:
Basement Floor Over Concrete
“Keeping The Heat In — Chapter 6: Basement insulation”
Egress Windows and Window Wells
SECTION R310 EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
…Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
…Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge
…R310.2.1 Minimum opening area.
Emergency and escape rescue openings shall have a net clear opening of not less than 5.7 square feet (0.530 m2). The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from the inside. The net clear height opening shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) and the net clear width shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm).
Exception: Grade floor or below grade openings shall have a net clear opening of not less than 5 square feet (0.465 m 2). The required size of the emergency escape and rescue opening is larger for above grade and below grade openings than it is for grade level openings. This is intended to allow emergency personnel carrying such equipment as a Scott air pack to enter the building. source
R310.2.2 Window sill height.
Where a window is provided as the emergency escape and rescue opening, it shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor; where the sill height is below grade , it shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2.3.
R310.2.3 Window wells.
The horizontal area of the window well shall be not less than 9 square feet (0.9 m 2), with a horizontal projection and width of not less than 36 inches (914 mm). The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section R310.2.3.1 shall be permitted to encroach not more than 6 inches (152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.
R310.2.3.1 Ladder and steps.
Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R311.7 and
R311.8. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of not less than 12 inches (305 mm), shall project not less than 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
R310.2.3.2
Drainage.
Window wells shall be designed for proper drainage by connecting to the building’s foundation drainage system required by Section R405.1 or by an approved alternative method.
Exception: A drainage system for window wells is not required where the foundation is on well-drained soil or sand-gravel mixture soils in accordance with the United Soil Classification System, Group I Soils, as detailed in Table R405.1.
Drywall
Ductless Mini-Split HVAC / Air Conditioner — This Old House
Leveling A Floor
“How to Level a Concrete Basement Floor” ~SF Gate
Frame Walls in a Basement
“Building a Wall In Place” (Fine Homebuilding)
