Why Egress windows?

Why Egress windows?

• Square footage added value- “legal bedroom”
• Safety
• Natural Light
• Energy savings
• Visually appealing

Does size matter?

The idea of the egress window is safety. You want a space in your home to count as living space this means there must be a safe escape route in case of emergency. Small children can obviously get out of smaller windows but most adults need a little more room. Now consider a fire fighter with full gear on to include an oxygen tank. If an emergency response member needs to get in or out of that window the window must be large enough and there must be clearance around the window to maneuver.

What to measure?

Window well size:

1. Measure max grade level (ground level) down to the floor level of the basement.
2. Then subtract 28” to determine the minimum height required for the window well.
3. The width of the well is determined by the size of the Egress window being installed. The well must be slightly larger than the new window.

Window size:

1. Consider local code requirements for size, natural light, and ventilation.
2. Minimum clear opening measurements required-

ü  Width at last 20 inches

ü  Height at least 24 inches.

ü  Size at least 5.7 square feet.

Frontier Basement Systems inspectors are trained to take a look at your home structure and materials, how to determine the size window needed to meet your needs, and show you all available options to meet safety and personal preference requirements.