What Are Egress Windows? Everything You Need To Know

If you aren't familiar with egress windows, you aren't alone. They aren't exactly the most exciting home improvement project. But (and this is a big but) they are a necessary one. 

So what exactly is an egress window? What's the value? And how do you know if you need one? We go over all of this and more in this blog. Let's dive in.

What are egress windows?

Egress might sound like a fancy word, but it's really another way to say "exit". 

With that said, egress windows are windows that provide an emergency exit from a basement or a below-grade room in a building.

They're an essential safety feature in any home, allowing people to escape in an emergency, such as a fire or flood. They also provide natural light and ventilation to the basement, making your space more comfortable and usable.

Are egress windows required for a finished basement?

To comply with building codes, a finished basement must have an egress window (or door) if the space will be used as a habitable space, like a bedroom or family room.

The biggest reason for this is to allow for easy exit and entry, not only for you and your family but also for firefighters and their equipment.

Egress window size requirements

The specific requirements for egress windows can vary depending on the jurisdiction, but in general, an egress window must be at least 5.7 square feet, 20 inches wide, and 24 inches high, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor.

In addition to meeting these size requirements, egress windows must also be equipped with a ladder or steps that can be easily deployed to provide a means of escape in case the primary exit is blocked.

5 benefits of investing in an egress window

1. Protects you and your family. An egress window provides a quick, easy, and safe way to exit the home in case of an emergency.

2. It's building code compliant. If you're adding a bedroom in the basement, building code requires an egress window (or other means of egress like a patio door).

2. Protects your basement from the elements. If your existing basement window isn't sealed properly or your window well collects water, it might be time for a replacement.

3. Adds valuable square footage to your home. Adding an egress window adds signficant livable square footage to your home, thereby increasing its value.

4. Brightens up your basement. Egress windows can improve your basement by providing natural light and ventilation.

Egress windows and your foundation

Installing an egress window in your basement requires a contractor to cut into your foundation walls. That's why hiring a contractor who will take the appropriate measures to protect your foundation and control the water is critical.

Many contractors use conventional saws to cut through the wall in two passes - one inside the home and one outside. This results in misaligned cuts that can compromise your foundation. At Thrasher, we use a specialized power saw that cuts through walls in one seamless cut, preserving the structural integrity of your home.

Our egress window installation process

1. The soil is excavated surrounding the area where the window will go.

2. We ensure proper placement and leveling to maintain your foundation's structural integrity.

3. We determine if a drain is needed outside the window to help with potential water intrusion.

4. Using a specialized saw, we cut into your foundation wall.

5. The window and well is installed, and the soil is backfilled.

Is an egress window the right choice for you?

If you're remodeling your basement or trying to sell your home, installing an egress window is a highly affordable way to add more livable square footage compared to other home remodeling projects. 

Overall, egress windows are an important safety feature that can help protect the people who live in a home or work in a building. If you are considering finishing your basement or adding a below-grade room to your home, it's important to make sure that you install egress windows that meet the requirements of your local building codes.

For a contractor that cares, choose Thrasher

If you're in our service area and interested in learning more about egress windows, we'd love to schedule a free inspection and determine what's best for your basement. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment, call us at 1-800-827-0702 or reach out through this form.