One of the best ways to increase the value of your residential property is to add an extra bedroom. One room in the house is often unused and left to gather dust in the basement. If you can convert that into an additional living space, it will add value to your property. However, one safety requirement needs to be fulfilled before doing so, which is adding a means of escape in case of fire or other emergencies in the basement. This is where egress windows come into the picture.
What is an Egress Window?
It is a window that looks just like a regular large window but opens completely to allow the inhabitants to escape in an emergency like a fire. Egress windows are required by law in all basements converted into a living space. The basement egress window Installation should be done before converting the basement into a living space. The local building codes and the International Residential code determine the window's dimensions must comply with. The area that lies immediately outside the address window is called a window well. It is a rectangular half-circle Shield that sits inside a dug-up portion of Earth surrounding the basement window. There are specific regulations that should be considered while constructing window wells.
Safety Considerations to Be Taken into Account
Though local building codes may vary according to the region, the IRC standards should be met while installing a basement egress window.
Some of the requirements for the egress window are:
The window must provide a clear and unobstructed opening of at least 5.7 square ft. and must be a minimum of 24 inches tall and 20 inches wide.
The bottom of the clear opening should not be higher than 44 inches from the floor.
The window should open without the use of any special tools.
A window well has to be installed if the window is below ground level.
The window well should also follow specific standards.
The area of the well should be a minimum of 9 square feet
It must be at least 36 inches in length and breadth
There has to be a ladder in the well if it is deeper than 44 inches below ground level
The ladder should be at least 12 inches wide.
Make sure that there is enough space near your window so that the installation company meets the requirements mentioned above while installing the egress window. We are a team of experienced professionals who understand the need to stick to the budget. To know more about egress window installation and related costs, contact us.