Why would I want an Egress Window?

  1. They let a lot of light into the basement
  2. They turn a basement room into a legal bedroom
  3. They increase safety by having a secondary fire escape
  4. They increase your property value with the addition of an extra bedroom
  5. They create a more enjoyable space without the feeling of being ‘in a basement

Is the installation done to code?

Yes, yes and yes. The window and retaining wall must be low enough for young children to climb out. It must also be big enough for a full sized firefighter with gear to climb into the room in case of an emergency. There are a LOT of specific city codes regarding these windows. It can be tough wading through it all.

How long does an installation take?

Most projects can be completed within a single day. Sometimes, in only 6 hours. Weather, soil conditions, and the complexity of the window well design make this a bit of a variable, but typically a single day.

Don’t they fill up with snow in the winter?

Not usually. Ambient ground and house heat tend to keep the well clear and open all winter long.

Does this make a big mess?

Well, there is an awful lot of dirt to be moved for the window well. There is also a lot of equipment to be brought on site. Cutting the hole in the basement wall will also create a lot of cement dust. Each of these issues is specifically addressed.

A Plywood Flooring is laid down on the grass and around the hole to minimize lawn stress.

The dust is contained with tarps, fans, and air pressure.

The dirt can be regraded around your foundation or hauled off site.

You will not see a big mess when I am done

The areas are tarped off with thick plastic, contained, vented, and cleaned up the best I can, but there will be some dust and dirt around.

Are egress windows safe from burglars?

They are no more or less easy to enter than any other window in your home. They have double lock latching mechanisms. I have discussed this with the police and they say most burglers enter through an unlocked door, not a window. In fact, the service door to the garage is the most frequent method of entry.

1. Can I use a double hung window? I am going to combine these into one question

Yes. These windows need to be a bit bigger to meet code, but it can be done and they look great. Let me help select a proper size.

1. Can I use a slider/glider type window?

Yes. Historically, this was not a good choice as the gliding hardware did not work well. I have recently found a brand that I approve of and glides nicely. An added benefit of this style is that you can remove both panes and have a wide opening to move couches and other large objects in and out of your basement.

1. Can I use a casement/crank-out type window?

Yes. This is the most common style installed in an egress as it minimizes the hole size and maximizes the window opening. Remember, it is not the size of the glass that is important. It is the size of the OPENING that makes code.