I have to fill in a small basement window so my electrician can move my circuit panel to where the window is now.
The foundation is poured concrete, and the window frame is metal. The house was built in 1974. This window is below grade with a window well.
What’s the best way to do this? My first thought was to rip out the metal frame and fill in with concrete block, but I am just worried that ripping out the metal frame might cause some bigger problems (there is about 3 inches of concrete above the window that would probably fall apart). So, my question is – keep the metal frame in or rip it out?
Thanks,
Brian
Edited 6/21/2009 11:26 am ET by BJC
Replies
I would leave it and brick in the opening.
There might be a steel lintle?http://www.tvwsolar.com
Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill
I would set him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille
He could die happily ever after"
I think it is just the frame with no lintel. I suppose I could drill some holes into the foundation and put some rebar in through the mortar between the blocks and the foundation. I'm not sure I'd trust the mortar to bond with the metal. Or maybe I'm overthinking this... :)
Yep, like Doodabug said, just leave it.http://www.tvwsolar.com
Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill
I would set him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille
He could die happily ever after"
I would try and rip it out but as with most frames or the ones I have done the frame is put in place before the pour. This would make it a *itch to get it out but not impossible. The other thing I would be concerned with is the bond between the old and new. If your below grade it will leak so extra attention will be needed on the exterior, I will assume you will want to remove the window well. Post a pic would be helpful. Also makes a difference which way your floor joists run.
The joists are perpendicular to the window. Good point about the waterproofing.Here is a picture.Thanks everyone.
What is the reason the panel has to go right where the window is anyway?
The old panel is right next to the boiler and that location will no longer pass code. The window was broken anyway, and I was planning to fill it in - this just brings it to the top of my list quicker.