Drywall over basement windows

[looking4ideas]

We're still in the process of finishing our basement (I say "still", because this has been a long process) and we're now wondering whether or not we should drywall over a window in what will be the living area. The window is 7 1/2 inches tall and it's located directly under our sliding door to the backyard, with a huge concrete step directly in front of it, so it doesn't provide either egress or light. We plan to put the TV on that wall, and we think that the window will be visually distracting. Problem is, we obtained a building permit and we don't know whether it's permissible under the Ontario building code to drywall over an existing window. We'd hate to find out by failing an inspection! Anyone else have experience with this?

[jeep]

The best thing to do is check that with the building dept you got the permit from but I would guess because of the size of the window and it not being in a bedroom it wouldn't matter. You have to have an escape window in the bedroom and can't close them over but this window wouldn't be big enough for that anyways. We have a row of windows above our TV int he basement and it doesn't distract from the TV it provides light and no reflection on the TV so it is great.

[Northern Miner]

I'm also on the side of it should be okay to cover it over, but I do have one concern and that would be the possibility of moisture collecting in that space. If that happens sometimes currently, I would suggest something along the lines of a floor vent or cold air vent mounted in the opening so that you could open and close to provide a little ventilation.

[lessismore]

(12-28-2009 05:18 AM)Northern Miner Wrote:  I'm also on the side of it should be okay to cover it over, but I do have one concern and that would be the possibility of moisture collecting in that space. If that happens sometimes currently, I would suggest something along the lines of a floor vent or cold air vent mounted in the opening so that you could open and close to provide a little ventilation.

I was watching an episode of Mike Holmes where he addressed an issue with a window that had been inproperly covered. He was talking about the lack of a moisture barrier that was causing some of the problems. I would think that you need to be sure that a professional takes care of this so that you do not have problems down the road.

[jeep]

I agree you have to do it right not just slap a piece of drywall over the window it would have to be sealed from the outside and insulated and vapour barrier to keep it dry.