Basement Below

8 years ago

So I’m attempting to find an image or advice related to the following situation that has come up:

- Main floor gas fireplace in the dining room located on exterior wall.
- Partial Walkout Basement below said dining room.
- Partial Walkout Basement Wall where said fireplace from above, is the one that we would like to have all windows since it will provide the most sunlight for the room.
- The fireplace in the dining room on the main floor can be moved, however it provides a more central focal point in the room, so we’d like to leave it where it’s currently planned.

So my question is, what does this look like and is it even possible?

I’d prefer to have a wall of windows on that Partial Basement Wall, as it’s the only wall at grade and will give us our sunlight for the room. My architect is in the process of designing this, however I cannot find any visual examples of a Basement wall that has a fireplace on the level above it, which is not just solid drywall.

Thanks in advance

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PRO

JudyG Designs

8 years ago

We have the same set up…the house came with a slider and two windows to the right looking out of the room. It is an attractive wall because the windows sit atop a deep, waste high, ledge. I installed custom, lined panels on each side of the slider, but left windows bare (I have no need for privacy).

However, were I to start from scratch, I would love an entire wall of glass with French doors opening on to the patio…like this:

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Comments (10)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
I don’t understand the problem this is a diffent level and you can do what ever you like
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baileysr
8 years ago
Are you worried about the look of the chimney hovering above the windows? If so, then I think it should be do-able, though you might need to put some extra effort into making it “attractive.” The chimney would block some of the light into the basement windows and you would see the underside of it. You might choose to drop them chimney all the way to the ground so it doesn’t look like it’s hovering in mid air, and place the windows so they are around it.
spitaki10
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks BaileySr, yes it’s more of an aesthetic concern, the easy solution is to take the basement base all the way down to the basement footing, and simply have windows on either slide. This is what I’m attempting to avoid, as I’d like to have maximum light into the room and have windows along the entire wall.
spitaki10
Original Author
8 years ago
JudyG, any chance you’d be able to send a picture as to how your setup is currently and how t looks, I’m having a hard time visualizing, if not it’s okay I understand.

Thanks for the insights!
PRO
JudyG Designs
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Reading other responses, I think I misunderstood your dilemma. I thought the gas fireplace was just that, not an actual fireplace where chimney/vent runs down to the basement. I other words, part of that wall is brick?

Could you take a picture of the dilemma wall?
spitaki10
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Judy, I’m sorry you’re correct, it would simply be a gas unit. You’re saying we shouldn’t have an issue then having the space below occupied by almost an alcove of windows?
PRO
JudyG Designs
8 years ago
I’m not a builder; I have, upstairs, first floor, leading out to pool area, 12’ sliders that fill the walls. No issue installing them.
baileysr
8 years ago
We used to have a fireplace and chimney “dangling” over our garage doors and hovering over our driveway. I wasn’t crazy about the look of it from the outside, but it functionally worked. I suppose as long as they have a nice strong header to provide support, it’s possible. If I were you, I’d spend a good amount of time thinking about how you want it to look as you sit and look outside those windows. The chimney will cast shade and you will see its underside. You will want to finish it so that it doesn’t look ugly. I was trying to think about whether an awning or little roof would help, but I don’t think so. I guess just finishing it off nicely and make sure you keep it clean so it doesn’t mess up your view out the window.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
A direct has vent fireplace unit will not have a conventional chimney from the exterior. Just an exterior vent. And that is the issue when adjacent to windows. No window closer than 3’ to that vent.

The other design impact is the square footage they take up. Which is why they are usually done as a faux chimney. Which can’t happen in your case. That memes s the fireplace unit will occupy interior space in he room, this altering the usability of the room, necessitating that it be larger. Build in some window seats and bookcases to each side and don’t sweat it.