Basement egress windows grow your living space
Posted by Greg Spears on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 @ 08:23 AM
The addition of a large “egress” basement window may be the key to growing your home without moving or building an addition. Basements of older homes can be a great spot to increase living space, perhaps for a room function that the main floor lacks, or for an adult still living with the folks.
Many basements in homes built before 2000 have tiny, inefficient windows that don’t let much light in and would not provide a means of escape in a smoke/fire/fumes emergency. Fortunately, those problems can be addressed by installing a basement egress window system. A large, energy-efficient window with an area well and exit ladder can provide both much-needed natural light and a critical emergency escape.
Each retro-fit basement egress window situation is different, with a long list of factors to consider. Consider location to take advantage of daylight and provide the proper “egress”, or exit, function. Also consider the logistics of cutting a concrete foundation and the impact of the larger opening on the structure of the home. Area well details such as size, cover, drainage, and ladder/steps, waterproofing the new opening in the foundation, building code requirements for window height, width, sill height, and energy efficiency, permits, interior finish, and more – all must be taken into account, and a mistake on one item could detract from the entire project.
Consultation with a reputable remodeling contractor is highly recommended if you are considering this type of project. A qualified professional can walk through your needs and determine if and how an egress window can help. And, he/she can lay out a plan that takes into account all of the details you have in mind for your living space. It’s not a simple task, but done right, it can help transform basement space for far less cost than building an addition.