To give my son a bedroom with no windows?

[midori1999]

I can't really see any reason why I would be, but it just doesn't seem right to me.

We have a 5th 'bedroom' over our garage. It's an insulated, large room, just like our other bedrooms except no window and no radiator, but a heater on the wall. It's not cold in there, but a bit cool if the door is closed all the time and the heater off. (few degrees cooler than the rest of the house, the same as the rest of the house if the door is open)

When we moved in DS1 (16) asked if he could have it as his bedroom. I said no. However, I have to admit that it would make sense to properly use that room, so I'm thinking of relenting.

So, WIBU to let my DS1 use this room as a bedroom?

Not if he's happy with it.

is there any way you can put a window in, i like you would not feel comfortable about it, in fact I dont think you are legally allowed to call it a bedroom if it has no window.

Sounds awful to me.

Would he need a light on all the time?

Wouldn´t it get stuffy/smelly?

He's 16. He'll never open the curtains or the window anyway, so I can't see that it makes a difference.

How is his fire escape if there is no window?
I think it is against building regulations to use a room as a bed room if there is no escape route?

Personally I would be claustrophobic.

Can you not put a window in?

YANBU if he is happy with it.

But , I'd go stircrazy in a room with no natural light.

Could you put a window/roof light/sun tunnel thingmy in??

Light tube

Rooms need ventilation, no windows is depressing, fire escape.

Doesn't sound good, could you afford to have one put in, it would be reasonably inexpensive considering you gain a room.

He's 16? It'll be like a disgusting black hole however many windows it hasn't got.

(Apologies in advance if your teen isn't like mine).

yabu, windows are used to escape in fire, sticking your head outside your window keeps you alive till the fire brigade get there if the house is full of smoke, teen's body clocks are crap enough without putting them in rooms with no daylight

if you DO do this, get the fire brigade round to install extra smoke detectors, and install some full spectrum light bulbs

I have 2DS's 18 and 14 and I have to tell you IT WILL SMELL RANK and if you keep the door open to air it, so will the rest of the house
Seriously, I'd go for it as long as the exit is okay. In Scotland however, you don't need planning to put in a skylight window, just a building warrant which is easy and it doesn't cost masses. You just have to say you want natural light into your storage space.... and not mention you are storing DS up there

Your ds is going to live in there. He is 16yo and asked for it.

Can't see an issue.

However, I can see why it doesn't sit well with you. I wouldn't want a bedroom with no windows personally. So I am guessing that's the reason why it doesn't sit well.
Good point re ventilation. If it's becoming something that will be like this for years, I would look at adding a small window or some sort of ventilation system.

I agree with the posts re. ventilation for your safety and fire escape for his safety...

If the car is in the garage, and is started in the garage, any way any car fumes can get into his room?

I'm pretty sure it's illegal. I had to move when DS1 was too big for his Moses basket as the other room had no window and my friend is a fireman and by law they have to have a window in case of fire.

No, it'll be claustrophobic and depressing. You will need a window to air the room, even if you're not bothered by the lack of light (I would be).
Was it actually built as a habitable room? If so, why possessed you not to put a window in?

Id see if you can put a skywindow in , i cant see it being legal to call it a bedroom with no window its a huge cupboard isnt it , If he is happy to go in it then why not but there would be no light or ventalation ,

I'd get a couple of builders in to give quotes for putting a window in and confirm that it meets the building regs.

If it is above garage is it a pitched roof? If so a velux is quick easy and cheap

Is that safe? To sleep in a room with no window/ventilation? And more importantly - no alternative escape route?

Could you not put a window in?

It's all very well having a person in a room without a fire escape, as you can massively reduce the risk by having a fire door and other precautions to enable occupants to be safe from the fire and smoke for anything up to 2 hours (depending on the rating of the fire door) until they are rescued by fire and rescue. What you're suggesting though is that in the event of a fire, the ONLY way your ds could be rescued is by having the fire brigade put out the fire enough in the rest of the house, travel through the house and then take him back through the burning building to safety. The phrase 'over my dead body' rings horribly true. Please don't do this. P.S. If it makes any difference I'm an H&S advisor who carries out fire risk assessments on all sorts of accommodation (including sleeping) so I have an idea of what I'm talking about.

I don't think it can be illegal. I don't think anyone can force you to use particular rooms in your house for particular purposes.

However, I am fairly sure that you won't be able to describe the room officially as a bedroom, even if that is what you use it for.

And there are practical reasons (ie fire and ventilation) which would make it unwise.

Would putting a window in be impossible?