Whether you are looking to increase the value of your home or simply want to expand your living space, finishing your basement is a great way to do that. You can use the extra room as a storage place for your belongings or as an additional living room area where you can host your family and friends.

While you are coming up with creative ideas to use your basement, there are several things you should keep in mind. One such thing is installing basement windows to allow natural light into the space and give you control over the airflow in the room.

Generally, there are several types of basement windows you can choose from. Almost each one comes in conjunction with a basement window well which plays a major part in your waterproofing system to capture and redirect incoming water.

Depending on your basement’s functionality and overall design, here are four smart basement window choices you can consider.

Hopper windows

Hopper windows are the most commonly used window style for basements. They are pretty basic looking, simple to operate and a decent choice if your basement is not to be inhabited. They feature hinges on the bottom which allow it to open downward and inwards as a whole unit, facilitating excellent airflow and good natural lighting.

If you are worried about passers-by peeking into your basement from the outside, you can opt for frosted glass or glass blocks to increase privacy.

In terms of security, hopper windows are easy to open, but they are rather small and don’t fit the standards of an egress opening.

Awning windows

Awning windows are another popular choice for basements that operate the opposite of hopper windows. Instead of hinging at the bottom, this window style hinges at the top and opens from the bottom. In other words, their design causes the window panel to move outward from your home, creating an awning effect when opening.

Besides their advantage of allowing sufficient airflow and natural light in your basement, awning windows are also a great option to protect your basement from rain, snow, hail and sleet.

However, because of their mechanism of opening, this window style isn’t suitable as egress basement windows as it may still block someone trying to get away from an emergency situation.

Sliding windows

Sliding windows are a window style that stays out of the way and saves space. As implied by the name, these windows consist of two panels that slide on a track and open horizontally from the left or the right.

Their greatest advantage is that they allow excellent natural lighting to basements that really need it. They allow homeowners to enjoy the full view of their garden while also providing them with direct access to their backyard.

In addition to this, sliding windows comply with most fire and building codes in case you need an egress basement window. All you need is the right size of a sliding window which allows a safe escape from emergencies.

Casement windows

Casement windows are a great choice if your basement is above-ground. They have hinges on the side and open outward fully. You can find them in one-panel and two-panel designs in which the dimensions typically involve the height being greater than the width. They come in many sizes and have privacy features in case you want to protect your home from noisy passers.

Because of their design, casement windows are mainly preferred by homeowners for their basement as they meet the requirements of an egress basement window. Their mechanism of opening outward allows people to easily and fully open the window from the side and escape from an emergency situation.

Final thoughts

No matter how you are planning to use your basement space, it is crucial that you install a basement window. Not only will the window increase the natural lighting in the room and improve the airflow in the space, but it will also protect your home from getting damaged from severe weather conditions.

Depending on the size, functionality and design of your basement, there are several types of basement window styles you can consider. Each type comes with its own pros and cons, so make sure you use our post as a reference to choose the basement window type that best suits your needs.