[Tom738]

What would you do for low-cost basement windows in a cold climate? (30 below, some years for a few weeks). I have a relative on a limited budget with some old rotted-out windows. They're the little horizontal rectangular kind, rotted wood frame, foundation block on three sides and steel header above, IIRC. Too small for egress.

And what method do you use for affixing and sealing to the foundation or steel? I don't recall ever fastening anything directly to either type of material.

 

[gregzoll]

I just put foam board over mine and had Pressure Treated plywood placed to cover any Basement foundation that was above ground, along with insulated siding.

We had roll-down blinds that we always kept close on our Basement windows, to help keep the draft down.

If you want to change out the windows and do not need Egress. I would just go with some Glass Blocks. If your area requires you to have an Egress put in at this point. I would do that.

Casement Windows are hard to get if they are smaller then those that you may find within the size off the shelf. Check what you can get locally off the shelf and the only thing you may have to do is frame out with some Pressure Treated Lumber.

 

[gregzoll]

Also you cannot remove that Lintel at the top. It has to stay.

 

[bmathews]

You should be able to find replacement 'hopper' Windows. Or you could go with glass block.

I expanded my window open vertically (but not horizontally as to not worry about load) and bought vinyl replacement windows and screwed them directly into the opening. No PT buck. Sealed with foam and caulk on both sides.

 

[jomama45]

Vinyl "hopper" windows are cheap around here (maybe $70 at Menards for 14" x 32") an will last your lifetime if installed with mortar, like they should be. I know some people here will tell you to lazily install them with a pressure treated jamb, but I wouldn't, unless you like replacing basement windows. Mortar and vinyl will last decades if done properly, probably more like generations...........

 

[SPS-1]

One time, I welded up angle iron frames for the inside of a house with leaky steel hopper windows. Installed them with a generous bead of caulking. Must have measured pretty good, because each frame ended up a "tap fit" into the window cavity. Then I bought a sheet of acrylic, a bunch of plastic handles, and a roll of pressure sensitive magnetic strip. Made acrylic covers for each window that hold onto the angle frame like a refrigerator door. Probably not great R value but very air tight. Hardest part was welding/finishing the frame joints very smooth/flush so the magnetic strip would have an air-tight seal against it.

I thought about replacing the windows, but the old hopper windows were embedded into the concrete wall. Ripping those out was a little beyond my comfort level. Also good windows were expensive, and cheap windows I not too sure how well they seal.