There is considerable detail when planning a new home construction, so you may not consider the egress window installation. These specialty windows are crucial for avoiding building violations and keeping your family safe during an emergency, so you need the right ones in your home. Below are answers to common questions that you may have about this design feature.

What You Should Know About Egress Window Installations

What is an egress window?

Egress is the action of exiting a location, and that is the purpose of these windows. Building regulations require that homes have them for safety reasons. They must meet specific requirements that allow people to safely and efficiently exit a room, as well as make it easy for emergency responders to enter a home if needed.

Where are egress window installations required?

Regulations require homeowners to have egress windows in any room that you use for sleeping purposes, regardless of what floor it is on. Any level—including the basement—that has habitable rooms must have at least one as well. If you currently own a home and decide to remodel an unfinished basement or add more bedrooms, you must install egress windows as part of the project.

How big must these windows be?

While certain cities have specific requirements, there are universal measurements that you must meet to allow people to get through the window. At a minimum, the opening should be 20 inches wide and 24 inches tall. That means you need 5.7 square feet of net clear opening space. If it’s on the ground floor, the requirement is 5 square feet. Finally, the sill cannot be more than 44 inches above the floor.

Does adding an egress window damage my foundation?

Adding an installation to an existing home should not result in foundation repairs. Most often, the contractor will add the window into an area that is not load-bearing to avoid affecting the foundation. If the only area that the window can go is load-bearing, they use stabilization and crack injection techniques to ensure the foundation remains firm after the installation.

 

Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling your current one, schedule egress window installation with Hydra-Ject, Inc. in Lebanon, OH. For more than 20 years, their team has helped local homeowners with many projects, from fixing a leaky basement to brick sealing and window installations. They have the tools and experience to ensure your new egress window meets regulations. Schedule a free estimate by calling (513) 615-5456 or learn more about their services online.