The Old Folks Home

[shell shocked]

hi all
it is the same here in the uk fire regs say we must have one window upstairs that opens fully
so you can get out if the stairs are cut off by fire



stay lucky

 

[perchie.girl]

One thing that's pretty common here is having a second door right inside the outer door. Really helps keep the heat in in winter. Or noise out in apartments. But that wouldn't work with inward opening doors.

You will find an airlock style entry in desert climates as well. keeps the AC in

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
IF it were me building a house in a snow climate I would do an airlock style entry Storm door on the outside. But then both doors could open in.... I have real horrors about being unable to get out of my house.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I have never really thought about it but thank you all for giving me something else to think about late at night.

 

[bruceha2000]

IF it were me building a house in a snow climate I would do an airlock style entry Storm door on the outside. But then both doors could open in.... I have real horrors about being unable to get out of my house.

There are 2 doors from the enclosed porch to the outside and 3 on the back side of the house. One set is double French doors (cheap ones of course since the people we bought from went cheap at every turn. They open in and there are no storm doors so we SHOULD be able to go out those. BUT, the snow dumps off that roof, there have been times that it would be a pretty steep climb over the pile. No snow rails on that part, I doubt the cheap metal roof would support them.

However, we have Marvin Tilt-n-Turn windows in the 3 most used bedrooms. They are pretty cool. They tilt open at the top (bottom hinge) Hopper style for ventilation if you move the handle half way but if you move it all the way, they hinge on the side and the window opens INWARD fully for egress. The advantage of that is you can open the window some when it is raining, something you wouldn't want to do with a casement window that opens out. And they are meant for egress, there is no "actuating arm" that may need to be released to get the window fully open and your self out of it.

This style of window is apparently fairly common in Europe (we are ALWAYS behind!). The only problem we have is "how the heck do you put curtains/shades over a window that can open at the top or swing a full 180 degrees into the room?" Part of our problem is the rebuilt part of the house has no studs, the walls are SIPS - 4" foamboard with OSB on the outside and drywall on the inside. No thermal breaks but nothing structural to mount a curtain rod on for anything other than light weight stuff that won't block the light well. And my daughter needs a nearly black room a lot of the time due to her permanent migraine.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

If you didn't have the migraine issue I'd recommend just not going with window treatments. It's very freeing. Luckily the neighbors are far enough away.

 

[bruceha2000]

In our case, yes the neighbors are far enough away unless they are seriously creepy and want to get out a spotting scope. However, my spouse likes a dark room at night so we need something .... the large pieces of cardboard are neither overly attractive nor particularly convenient when you want to see out the window.

 

[Alaskan]

What about tinfoil?

 

[drumstick diva]

when ever we get several inches of snow here, I rush outside to shovel it away from the doors. Also front windows - I have to know I can get out even if the rest of the snow is too high to walk in.

 

[sourland]

What about tinfoil?

Bet that you are big on that.