Would you feel comfortable having your guest sleep in your windowless, finished basement?

[Anonymous]

We are buying a house with a finished basement; it's very small and just one room (19 X 12) with no windows. The room does have a door to the garage--which of course has the garage door to the outside. The other way into the basement is a set of stairs that goes up to the kitchen. The kitchen also has a door that leads to a backyard patio (door to the patio is right next to the door to the basement.)

The current owner uses the basement as a tv room. We will probably use it as a large home office/study room.

There is a relative (older teen boy) that we believe may come up to visit once in a while (just for a weekend, maybe 3 or 4 times per year.) There isn't room for a "real" guest room upstairs, and I was thinking we could put a murphy bed in the finished basement.

Would you feel comfortable with this?

[Anonymous]

For a teenage boy, yes

For grandma and grandpa, no

[Anonymous]

We have this arrangement in our house, plus full bath in the basement. My parents sleep in this space when they visit. It can’t be marketed as a bedroom because of egress requirements, but as long as the garage door can be opened from inside I think it’s fine.

[Anonymous]

At my house, no because there is only one exit. With your set up, I would say yes, you could give him the option-do you want to be upstairs or do you want your own space.

[Anonymous]

Sounds fine to me. Teenage boys are not that picky. It has a door to the outside, so it’s safe.

[Anonymous]

A windowless basement is illegal in every jurisdiction.
In the area. If there is a fire then a fireman in full regalia cannot get in and person would die. I do not know how this passed inspection and I suspect it did not and that you did this illegally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A windowless basement is illegal in every jurisdiction.
In the area. If there is a fire then a fireman in full regalia cannot get in and person would die. I do not know how this passed inspection and I suspect it did not and that you did this illegally.

You have a real reading comprehension problem. First, they are buying this house. They didn't "do" anything. Second, it has 2 exits including stairs to the kitchen, and a door leading to the garage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds fine to me. Teenage boys are not that picky. It has a door to the outside, so it’s safe.

It is not safe and you are an idiot. I suggest you read the fire code. Opening a door when there is a fire creates an inferno.

"If the door is completely cool, open it cautiously. Put your shoulder against the door and open it slowly.

A fire that has died down for lack of oxygen can flare up when a supply of fresh air rushes through the door you open.

If heat or smoke enters the room, slam the door and make sure it is closed securely."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds fine to me. Teenage boys are not that picky. It has a door to the outside, so it’s safe.

It is not safe and you are an idiot. I suggest you read the fire code. Opening a door when there is a fire creates an inferno.

"If the door is completely cool, open it cautiously. Put your shoulder against the door and open it slowly.

A fire that has died down for lack of oxygen can flare up when a supply of fresh air rushes through the door you open.

If heat or smoke enters the room, slam the door and make sure it is closed securely."

From op's description there are two exits.

[Anonymous]

Stairs are not an exit as fire would be upstairs and opening door would feed fire. Only a fool would use a windowless basement for a bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Older teen boy, it is fine for a guest room for him.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see an issue. Make sure there are smoke detectors everywhere. There are still 2 exits.

We have a legal bedroom in our basement and a craft room with no window. Both still could go out our basement door or upstairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stairs are not an exit as fire would be upstairs and opening door would feed fire. Only a fool would use a windowless basement for a bedroom.

There is a garage next to this room with a door

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds fine to me. Teenage boys are not that picky. It has a door to the outside, so it’s safe.

It is not safe and you are an idiot. I suggest you read the fire code. Opening a door when there is a fire creates an inferno.

"If the door is completely cool, open it cautiously. Put your shoulder against the door and open it slowly.

A fire that has died down for lack of oxygen can flare up when a supply of fresh air rushes through the door you open.

If heat or smoke enters the room, slam the door and make sure it is closed securely."

Geesh. Calm down, Fire Marshall Bill

[Anonymous]

Not safe if there is a fire. Add an egress window.