Perhaps you’ve seen the term ‘egress window’ and wondered just what style window it is. Well, it isn’t a window style but a classification. The word ‘egress’ means a way out; egress windows are those which provide a safe and easy alternative escape from a room in case of fire or other emergency. These windows are mandatory under the International Residential Building Code (IRC) for ANY room used for sleeping, even if you don’t think of it as a bedroom. For example, an office with a pull-out couch or futon could be considered a sleeping room. (In the alternative, if that room has a door that leads directly outside, it would take the place of an egress window.)
Photo credit: https://www.homespothq.com/
The IRC specifies the following for egress windows:
While any window style that would provide the required dimensions would work, some window styles are better than others in terms of ease of operation. Experts agree that overall, the casement window is preferred. Casements are easy to operate – they swing open like doors do. The entire window opening is usable, unlike a double hung window where only half the window is accessible.
Egress windows are extremely important to incorporate in any basement or below grade room that could be used for sleeping. If you’re remodeling your home to add a bedroom in the basement, an egress window is mandatory. But you’ll need more than just the window. You’ll also need an area around the window to provide an escape route, such as a window well. That window well also needs a system to provide drainage, because you don’t want water pooling up around the window and possibly leaking in. You CAN add a cover; however, it must be one that can easily be removed from below. Note the cover in the photo above: the glass panel can be opened from either the outside or the inside, and the clear glass doesn’t block any light coming into the lower area. Some homeowners have incorporated steps or ladder rungs in the well itself to make exiting easier.
If you’ve got questions about whether your sleeping spaces in your home have adequate egress methods to comply with the IRC, please let us know. We’d be happy to evaluate what you have and make recommendations. We are THE replacement window company for the Minneapolis area, and our goal is finding the perfect window solution for each client, whether it’s an egress window or any other type.
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.
