How to best close a basement window?

[longtimelurker]

Is it concrete hollow blocks?

Spontaneously, I find it very hard to believe that you would have load-bearing issues if you install a 100 mm hole, but I'm not a structural engineer.

We have roughly the same. I've drilled holes for a chimney, culvert, and drainage through such a wall. A bit of work. Either you use a diamond hole saw with the right diameter. These are quite expensive (perhaps can be rented?) or you drill in a circle with a smaller concrete drill and knock out the contents with a sledgehammer and finish it up at the end so it looks nice.

You can install a slightly smaller window so you have room for a fan beside or above the window if you're going to replace it.

Googled and it doesn't seem to be concrete hollow blocks. (If concrete hollow blocks mean blocks of concrete with cavities in?)
What we have looks like solid concrete mixed with small stones. 1930s house.

 

[BSOD]

That sounds difficult to drill a hole in!

I would probably switch to a slightly smaller window, and fix ventilation next to/above the window... or...

Maybe you can check how much it costs to hire a company to drill a hole in the wall? At work, we sometimes drill through solid concrete walls for various installations. I don't know if we have a good agreement, but it usually costs around 3-4 thousand per hole (around 100-150mm).

 

[longtimelurker]

That sounds difficult to drill through!

Then I would probably switch to a slightly smaller window, and fix ventilation next to/above the window... or...

Maybe you can check what it costs to hire a company to drill holes in the wall? At work, we sometimes drill through solid concrete walls for various installations. I don't know if we have good contracts, but it's usually around 3-4 thousand per hole (around 100-150mm).

Thanks! Yes, those are two good suggestions - either small window + fan or keep large window and drill a hole (with the help of a company). Doesn't sound entirely impossible price-wise. Thanks!

 

[Viktorbyggahus]

buy a new insulated triple-glazed window with a built-in slit vent or hole vent. New window and ventilation. Everyone's happy. I would never think of sealing a window in a basement that was also so nice.

 

[olofh]

I join those who would not brick up the window. Buy a new one with a ventilation slit or at least use glass blocks if you absolutely must brick it up so that some light can still get through.