Insulated exterior basement stairwell

Structure · Problems · printed page 39 (PDF page 40)

Book index entries

Basement – Stairwell – Exterior Insulated Exterior – Stairwell – Insulated Insulated Exterior Basement Stairwell Stairwell – Insulated Exterior Basement Footings – and Foundations Foundation – and Footing

Text in the illustration

side view
inside
outside
floor framing
railing required around stairwell opening and on stairs
soil around exterior basement stairwell should slope away to reduce water pressure on side walls
basement door
check this wall for bowing or cracks
footing
4" to 6" threshold required
basement floor drain
drain
to sewer
layer of rigid insulation to prevent frost heaving of house footing (footing doesn't need to be lowered)
insulation should also extend up sides of stairwell and extend out horizontally for about 4' around stairwell
cross section
perspective

Generated explanation

The illustration shows a section through an insulated exterior basement stairwell, with a perspective inset locating the stairwell beside a house. Concrete stairs descend to a drained landing outside the basement door, where a 4-inch to 6-inch threshold is specified. Rigid insulation runs beneath the stairs and landing to protect the house footing from frost heaving; annotations also call for insulation up the stairwell sides and extending horizontally about 4 feet around it. Railings surround the opening and follow the stairs, while adjacent soil is directed to slope away to reduce water pressure on the side walls. The drawing identifies the stairwell wall as a location to check for bowing or cracks and shows the drainage connection toward the sewer.

Components

exterior basement stairwell concrete stairs stairwell side wall stairwell landing basement door door threshold house footing foundation wall floor framing rigid insulation stairwell guard railing stair handrail stairwell drain basement floor drain drain piping

Materials

concrete rigid insulation wood soil granular fill

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