Using sidelights in a wall?? - DIY Chatroom

organick · 10-31-2009, 12:21 AM

Ok hopefully I can get this to make sense. I am finishing a basement and the bedroom has no natural light in it at all. There is going to be a partition wall between the bedroom and the entry door to the basement. I want to add something to the partition wall to allow some of the light through while still having the separation. I was thinking about adding 2 side lights to the wall (like side lights you see next to entry doors)??? But I am unsure about the idea or where I can even get them separate from a door (perhaps the door store) Has anyone seen this done? Does it look good? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated also as I am searching for concepts.

organick · 10-31-2009, 12:26 AM

so i didn't mean if I can buy a sidelight ?? I know you can buy them but can I buy one that will look right separate from a door is what I mean.

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-31-2009, 12:26 AM

Do you have a door that leads directly outside the house?
A door that leads outside or a window within 44" of the floor is required for a basement bedroom

Since you don't have a window you must have a door
I'd put a glass door in with some sort of frosted glass

organick · 10-31-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Do you have a door that leads directly outside the house?
A door that leads outside or a window within 44" of the floor is required for a basement bedroom

Since you don't have a window you must have a door
I'd put a glass door in with some sort of frosted glass

there are 2 doors in the basement and a window. There just are no doors or windows in that "room" its an open floor plan and there is no door that actually closes off the bedroom. The main entry door is just on the other side of the partion wall and I want to allow some of that light through to the bedroom.

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-31-2009, 12:35 AM

In order for it not to be considered a seperate room the opening may have to be 4' wide
You'd have to check with your local building Dept for there opinion
Better to do that in advance before inspection

organick · 10-31-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

In order for it not to be considered a seperate room the opening may have to be 4' wide
You'd have to check with your local building Dept for there opinion
Better to do that in advance before inspection

It will be at least 4' but I will double check that.

Any ideas for light through the partition wall??

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-31-2009, 01:08 AM

Another option is a reg window or glass blocks to let light in
And one cabin I stayed in the walls did not go all the way to the ceiling

organick · 10-31-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Another option is a reg window or glass blocks to let light in
And one cabin I stayed in the walls did not go all the way to the ceiling

yeah I think a half wall might be a nice idea

hayewe farm · 11-01-2009, 01:16 AM

Instead of side lights why not install a light in the existing door. No structural changes would be needed.

organick · 11-01-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayewe farm

Instead of side lights why not install a light in the existing door. No structural changes would be needed.

There is glass in the existing door. The issue is right now There is an 8 ft opening leading into the "bedroom" area. I want to close it down to about 4ft to create a little more of a private room feel but dont want to block all the light and the new wall will do that if it is solid.

Don't like the idea of glass block or a regular window in the wall. The glass block just won't go with the feel I don't think and a regular widow never looks good inside in my opinion.

Maybe a half wall or a wall with just a framed out opening might work if the sidelite idea doesn't float

grizzly · 11-01-2009, 05:17 AM

how about french type doors ? they come a lot of different sizes. you could frame them in as lights or use use 2 -36 inch doors and 2 12 inch lights. as mentioned earlier, frosted glass would give a little more privacy. or if you have enough headroom they also make a pretty sweet transom.

chris

organick · 11-01-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grizzly

how about french type doors ? they come a lot of different sizes. you could frame them in as lights or use use 2 -36 inch doors and 2 12 inch lights. as mentioned earlier, frosted glass would give a little more privacy. or if you have enough headroom they also make a pretty sweet transom.

chris

I cant put full doors in and make it a totally separate room because I have no door or window in the bedroom. I need to keep the open floor plan for fire code.

roxksears · 11-01-2009, 10:59 AM

Organick,

It sounds like the idea of putting the sidelights in a wall could be a good thing, twofold. (1) The sidelights will allow light into this space letting it feel less 'dungeon like' and (2) Add some architectural/design interest to what could be a blah (architecturally) look.

I think it could be beautifully pulled off!

I like the idea of the skinny windows - personally I'd use an odd numbered amount (1, 3, 5 for example) depending on the size of the wall they'd go on.

An up light set on the floor say behind a tree or whatever can lend great indirect lighting to the space in the evening or those gloomy days.

Good luck with your project!!