Typical egress window
If you’re remodeling your basement, an important issue to be familiar with is the egress window.
What’s an egress window?
The use of an egress window is required in any habitable basement; these windows are used as an emergency exit in case of a fire breaking out or any other disasters. If you have a basement that has been remodeled to have sleep quarters or in other words bedrooms, there must be an egress window in each of the bedrooms.
Even if you’re not planning a bedroom downstairs at this point, if you’re remodeling anyway, it makes sense to put an egress window in, because that expands your options later.
An egress window is not a particular style. Instead, it’s any window that has certain characteristics. It is up to you what type of egress window is placed in the room it can be an actual window, a skylight, or even a door, but keep in mind that each type must meet specific requirements.
Most people equate egress windows with basement use, but in fact they are required for bedrooms in all homes under four stories. According to the International Building Code, basements as well as sleeping areas that are beneath the fourth floor have to have windows that meet the subsequent measurement criteria along with other requirements:
Keep in mind that the window must have a net square opening (meaning the space that is able to be gone through once you have opened the window) of 5.7 square feet, or 5 square feet if it is a ground level window. These measurements should be used to calculate the actual square footage that a person has to climb through the opening. It has been set to enable a firefighter that has all his gear on to be able to climb through with or without his/her ladder.
Most of the newer constructed building should already provide egress windows within each of the sleeping areas, but if you own an older home or it’s been remodeled without taking building code into effect, your windows may not qualify as egress windows. Ensure that each of your sleeping areas within your home has a mapped out escape route that is in the form of an egress window.
If you are planning on remodeling your basement, why not plan on installing egress windows? Nnot only will they make that space more versatile, but they meet local building code specific requirements. Speak with us here at Window Outfitters to find out even more about adding new windows to your home. We offer replacement windows from a variety of top quality manufacturers such as Lindsay, Pella, Marvin, and others. We can help you choose windows that comply with building code as well as your particular taste and budget.
Window Outfitters, Inc. is THE replacement window company for the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
