ᐅ Light Wells for Basement Apartments – Possible Implementation Models
Created on: 7 Jan 2025 17:00
G
goldfisch138
Hello everyone,
we are currently planning light wells for our basement apartment. We have included a separate basement unit and now want to install the light wells for the apartment. There are different approaches we are considering for placing them. First of all: The basement apartment will not have a direct door from the basement itself but will be accessed via the main house’s stairwell. For reasons of airtightness, we have also decided against a direct entrance to the basement apartment. For orientation, here is the basement floor plan:
The current status is as follows (of course, the bitumen surface layer, insulation materials, etc. still need to be applied, and a drainage membrane will be installed over the insulation). The topic here concerns the possible ways to realize the light well and any experiences you might have.
Here is a recent photo of the construction site:
There is approximately 4m (13 feet) of space between the basement wall and the driveway, which separates two plots of land (both owned by me) — the second being undeveloped. The balcony will later be located on the cistern side. The drainage trench will be connected to a large surrounding shaft to divert rainwater. I would like to be able to walk along the light wells and ideally have a small strip of greenery alongside, where I could later install a fence running along the driveway.
My current idea is a continuous light well along the three basement windows, since three separate interrupted light wells would not look aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. Another consideration was to raise the light wells slightly above the lawn level (using L-shaped retaining stones) to provide some safety. I assume there are regulations that require handrails or similar safety features in this case.
The following key questions arise:
- Are there any reasons against having a continuous light well? (Risks in heavy rain, etc.)
- What width should be planned to ensure sufficient light for the basement windows? (The basement windows face southeast)
- Do you have experience with solutions that do not work well or possibly good ideas?
Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
goldfisch138
we are currently planning light wells for our basement apartment. We have included a separate basement unit and now want to install the light wells for the apartment. There are different approaches we are considering for placing them. First of all: The basement apartment will not have a direct door from the basement itself but will be accessed via the main house’s stairwell. For reasons of airtightness, we have also decided against a direct entrance to the basement apartment. For orientation, here is the basement floor plan:
The current status is as follows (of course, the bitumen surface layer, insulation materials, etc. still need to be applied, and a drainage membrane will be installed over the insulation). The topic here concerns the possible ways to realize the light well and any experiences you might have.
Here is a recent photo of the construction site:
There is approximately 4m (13 feet) of space between the basement wall and the driveway, which separates two plots of land (both owned by me) — the second being undeveloped. The balcony will later be located on the cistern side. The drainage trench will be connected to a large surrounding shaft to divert rainwater. I would like to be able to walk along the light wells and ideally have a small strip of greenery alongside, where I could later install a fence running along the driveway.
My current idea is a continuous light well along the three basement windows, since three separate interrupted light wells would not look aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. Another consideration was to raise the light wells slightly above the lawn level (using L-shaped retaining stones) to provide some safety. I assume there are regulations that require handrails or similar safety features in this case.
The following key questions arise:
- Are there any reasons against having a continuous light well? (Risks in heavy rain, etc.)
- What width should be planned to ensure sufficient light for the basement windows? (The basement windows face southeast)
- Do you have experience with solutions that do not work well or possibly good ideas?
Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
goldfisch138
G
goldfisch13821 Jan 2025 01:23@hanghaus2023 were you able to make use of the information?
H
hanghaus202321 Jan 2025 09:20Without a house plan, it’s not really feasible on the site. But the sample photo already looks good.