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Egress Windows – A Complete Guide
By zarafshan qayyum
“Misfortune has no horns”
Anything can happen at any time. So one should be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best, definitely. That’s the reason why there are some building standards that are set by the local governments. Typically, they take all the regional constraints under consideration and propose some safety measures. However, it is up to you to maximize and ensure your home safety. One such provision is “egress windows”. We will explore the ins and outs of egress safety windows in this blog. Tag along to make your home secure.
Table of Contents
What Is An Egress Window?
Any window that provides a safe escape route from your home in the event of a fire or any other mishap, as well as an entry point for emergency personnel, is considered an egress window.
An egress window resembles a standard large window in construction. However, it opens completely to allow the residents of a structure to flee in the event of an emergency. Egress outlets are usually installed in the home basements. As a matter of fact, a basement must have egress outlets in order to legally convert it into a residential space.
However, they should be installed in every room of the house as well to ensure safety. These windows offer the added benefits of natural light and ventilation. They also improve the overall square footage and value of the property. They can also have a nice interior trim that complements the aesthetics of the room.
Why Are Egress Windows Used?
The main purpose of an egress outlet is to serve as an escape path in the event of an emergency. They tend to make a residential space safer by providing an easily accessible emergency exit for anyone in case of an emergency, such as a house fire. Egress outlets also have some extra features but these features are just add-ons to their primary function.
Types Of Egress Windows
Different types of egress windows are used in different regions based on safety standards and building structures. If you are up to installing an egress outlet in your home, make sure to research the various types of egress windows in order to make the right choice. Here are some of the most commonly used types of egress outlets.
Basement Egress With A Window Well
Every egress window must fulfill certain specifications to qualify as an emergency escape. They should be proper width, height, and square footage in order to serve their purpose. The basement egress outlets are designed with a window well. The window well provides enough space for the basement egress to open entirely in order to ensure safe passage to escape the basement in the event of an emergency. The window wells should also meet the size specifications dictated according to the home safety rules. Some steps are designed or a ladder is used to reach the ground surface from the window well. Moreover, window wells also have a cover to keep the debris and rain out of the escape route.
Skylight Egress Window
An egress outlet designed in the skylight style can be used in the basement. A skylight glass window that opens to the side can serve as both an attractive and functional egress outlet.
However, most people think that skylight windows are not suitable for use as egress outlets. As the skylight windows are installed on the roof so it could be hard to reach such a window in case of an emergency. However, if it’s the right size and installed within 1 meter of the floor, then it can serve as a functional escape point.
Single-Hung Egress Window
Single-hung windows are vertically sliding glass windows. The bottom pane of glass moves up to create an opening in the bottom half of a single-hung window frame. A single-hung window is an excellent choice for basement ventilation. It can also double as an egress window when needed. However, make sure that its operating handle is installed low on the frame in order to make it simple to open the window, especially for the children.
Double-Hung Egress Window
Double hung windows are another popular choice for egress outlets. Both the top and bottom panes of a double-hung window can be moved, thus providing openings at the top as well as the bottom of the frame. The double-hung window must be large enough to meet the size requirements to be used as an egress outlet.
Casement Egress Windows
Casement windows are a type of side-hinged window that swing outwards from the house and are therefore used for egress. The casement windows open completely, providing enough space for a person to climb out in case of an emergency. If the casement windows are the right size, they are an ideal choice for this purpose.
Pros & Cons of Installing Egress Windows
When it comes to adding an egress window to the house structure, there isn’t much to think about. It’s a necessity. These windows boost the value of your home and make it a safer place to live. However, there could be a thing or two about egress outlets that may bother you. So here are some pros and cons of egress windows.
Pros
Let’s look at the reasons why you should integrate egress outlets in your building structure first.
- Boosts Safety – In the case of a catastrophic house fire or any other emergency, an egress outlet can effectively boost your chances of a safe escape. It also provides the rescue workers with entry points into your home.
- Brings the Basement to Life – Egress windows are the only way of bringing the basement to use. Without these emergency outlets, the basement does not meet the building safety codes.
- Improves Property Value – Egress outlets bring the basement to use and enhance the property value with added habitable bedrooms.
- Better Ventilation — large escape windows brighten up the otherwise gloomy and dark basement space. They also improve the natural ventilation of basements.
Cons
There is nothing as important as safety. However, some supposed drawbacks of egress outlets are as follows.
- Following the Local Building Codes – The building codes are different for different regions. The condition to install egress outlets in accordance with the local construction rules and to ensure that the job is done correctly is somewhat of a hassle. So make sure that your contractor is well-aware of the local building codes and knows the right window installation requirements.
- Moisture Issues — Moisture trapping in windows can be a problem in basement windows. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to check the basement drainage systems.
- Complex Installation – Installing an escape window in the basement is quite a difficult job. So the professionals require a considerable amount of time and the right expertise to undertake the project.
Differences Between An Egress Window And Basement Window
Basement windows come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. The main purpose of regular basement windows is to offer ventilation and airflow so small ventilation windows near the ceiling may suffice.
However, egress basement windows are meant to provide an emergency escape from the basement. So they are large enough to allow a person to climb out. Moreover, egress outlets are installed close to the floor to ensure easy reach. There are some specific building codes as well that need to be followed for installing egress basement windows.
Installation Cost Of Egress Windows
The cost of egress window installation depends on a number of factors. Type of windows, number of windows, type of window glass, and the type of window well, all contribute to determining the final installation cost. Standard egress windows for rooms cost no more than the regular windows. You can install energy-efficient, multiple-paned escape windows in the rooms for around $500 to $1,000 depending on your specifications.
However, expect to pay more for basement egress windows. A single swing basement egress window typically costs around $2,000 to $3,000. More intricate window wells and high-end window designs can cost much more than that. It’s not a cheap project. But considering the peace of mind and safety value, it’s safe to say that every homeowner should invest in one.
Final Thoughts!
There is not a single reason worthy enough to old back egress window installation. Even if you have a budget constraint, the return on investment is so significant that most budget-based arguments fall apart rapidly.
Safety above everything else. So install egress windows and ensure your safety!
