Basement Egress Windows
Learn what a basement egress window is, the three common styles, why building codes require them, and the benefits they add to your home.
What Is A Basement Egress Window?
A basement egress window is a window installed specifically to allow people to exit a basement in case of an emergency. It is usually required by local building codes as a safety measure.
Egress windows are typically larger than regular basement windows and are designed to be easy to open and climb out of.
Not only do egress windows provide an important safety feature, but they can also make your basement feel less like a dark, closed-in space. By letting in natural light, they can make your basement a more livable and enjoyable space.
Basement Egress Window Styles
There are three types of basement egress windows.
Casement
These windows have hinges on the side and operate like a door, swinging either in or out.
Single or Double Hung
These windows have that classic window style with two panes of glass and a bottom and upper sash. With single hung egress windows, the top sash is stationary and only the bottom sash moves up and down. With double hung egress windows, both the top and bottom sash move up and down.
Horizontal Sliding
These windows open horizontally like a sliding glass door.
Since only one pane opens in horizontal sliding windows and single or double hung windows, they need to be larger to meet code requirements.
Converting Older Basement Windows Into Egress Windows
Basement egress windows need to be big enough for residents to escape or for firefighters wearing equipment to enter. Code requirements specify the minimum egress window size, window well dimensions, and clearance. The egress windows need to be easy to open and cannot have bars that are not easily removable.
If you are installing one or more basement egress windows in an older home, you may need to enlarge your window frames, which will involve some construction work.
The Benefits Of Basement Egress Windows
The benefits of basement egress windows include the following.
- Your home will be up to code regarding emergency escape openings. The International Code Council states that Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings in basements, habitable attics, and every sleeping room “shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.”
- Your basement will not feel closed in. Basement egress windows allow natural light to flood into your basement, so it no longer feels like a dark basement.
- Your basement will get a lot of fresh air. Egress windows improve the ventilation in your basement.
- You will want to spend time in your basement. Egress windows expand your home’s living space.
- Your home’s value will increase. Depending on where you live, an egress window in a basement room could turn that room into a bedroom. If so, this will increase your home’s value.
- Your home will be easier to sell. Buyers may be discouraged to find out that they need to install basement egress windows if they want a finished basement that is up to code. Knowing the home already has this safety feature, and documented basement waterproofing behind the walls, relieves them of that worry.
How Much Do Basement Egress Windows Cost?
The price of adding an egress window and window well varies from project to project, depending mainly on window size and type and window well size and type. There could be other costs as well if another contractor needs to get involved for home modifications, including changing the framing of the home or adding retaining walls.
