Widening 2 basement windows - pic

[raphael49]

Hi, I need to replace these 2 basement windows

I want to get rid of these alu windows and put new triple glazed pvc as wide as the upper windows. Likely an additional 24 inches in width overall, same height.

Can I do this without structural work?

The floor joists run perpendicular to these windows, and the spacing is 16 inches and they're 7 inches tall by 1.75" wide. I do not know anything about a rim joist or lintel.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Are you in the US? Guessing your house is timber frame?

 

[raphael49]

Canada, and yes it's a timber frame house from 1958

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Do you mean make each of the two windows the same width as the upper windows? Anyway on this side of the pond to make an opening bigger in a timber frame wall you would still have a lintel albeit probably two or three joists, something like 8x2's fixed together to form a lintel across the top. I don't know anything about Canadian Building Regulations or whatever they're called over there but over here you would need to get Building Control approval, just because the wall is not supporting the floor it's still a structural element, item 2 in this image:

 

[raphael49]

Thanks for the post. The basement window frame would be poured concrete as it's in the foundation of the home.

Seems like I'll need to get a longer lintel then, was hoping to avoid that

 

[crank39]

You'll ultimately need to follow your own countries building codes, any replies here should just be taken as advice

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

In the UK to do that you'd need a structural engineer, but I'd hazard it's not much more complicated than building in a concrete lintel then removing the bit of wall either side. Would there be reinforcement do you know or is it just poured concrete?

 

[raphael49]

In the UK to do that you'd need a structural engineer, but I'd hazard it's not much more complicated than building in a concrete lintel then removing the bit of wall either side. Would there be reinforcement do you know or is it just poured concrete?

I'm am not fully sure about that one .. need to look into it