If you want to use your basement for more than storage, you have many considerations to make to ensure its safety. Any additional living space in your home must be code compliant to ensure the safety of you, your family and your guests. There are a variety of reasons homeowners turn their basements into more living space, including a home office, a playroom for the kids, an art studio or even a movie theater. Regardless of the reason you will be using your basement, you need to ensure everyone has a safe way out in the event of an emergency through the use of basement window well systems.
Easy to Use
One consideration you need to ensure is present in any window well is ease of use. Consider the youngest person who could be spending time in your basement and ensure he would be able to maneuver the security you have set up in the basement in the event of an emergency.
Natural Light
Since the basement is underground, the presence of natural light is limited. When you install window well systems, you want to ensure they do not block the little bit of light that is able to enter into your basement. There is no replacement for natural light, regardless of the reason you will be using the basement, making it an important consideration.
Weight Limits
While it is not normal to have someone standing on the window well covers, you want to ensure that if it were to happen, the system could hold them up. Polycarbonate and steel grate covers are usually able to hold up to 500 pounds, offering top-quality protection for your home. There are also some systems that have dome style covers that can hold up to 350 pounds.
While it is never pleasant to think about an emergency, it is important for everyone to consider the chance of it happening in their home to be the best prepared. If you plan on using your basement for more than storage, you will need to ensure there is a safe way out in the event of any type of emergency. The type of window well systems you install at your home is the only way to ensure the safety of everyone. Look for those that are easy to use, offer natural light into your home and have high weight limits.
