How to Choose the Right Egress Window for Your Home Emergency Exit Plan
An egress window is a window that is made to be big enough for an adult to climb in or out of as an emergency escape route and also serves as a point of entry for firefighters and other emergency services. There must be at least 5.7 square feet available, which is large enough for an adult to climb through. Egress windows are commonly found in basements, although according to the International Residential Code (IRC), they must be put in “every sleeping room.”
Do you want an egress window installed or replaced in your home? Holliday Home Improvements are replacement door and window specialists. We swiftly and affordably replace doors and windows without sacrificing quality, and we provide the best egress window installation and replacement services in Bluffton, SC. Get a free, no-obligation quote at Holliday Home Improvements now!
How to Choose the Right Egress Window for Your Home Emergency Exit Plan
What Are Egress Windows?
In the event of an emergency like a house fire, an egress window has the same appearance as a typical large window and may open completely. Before a finished basement can legally be turned into a dwelling space, it must include egress windows. Additionally, egress windows’ sizes need to be in accordance with regional construction rules as well as the International Residential Code (IRC). Fortunately, egress windows provide advantages besides just serving as a means of escape, such as improving natural lighting and ventilation in your basement. They may also have lovely interior trim that improves the appearance of the living area.
Casement windows, double-hung windows, sliding sashes, and tilt-in windows are just a few of the several forms available for egress windows. Depending on what you intend to achieve, each style has advantages over the others. For instance, a casement window is perfect for homeowners trying to increase the value of their homes because they frequently fetch a higher price. The fact that double-hung windows let in a lot of sunshine while keeping heat out makes them excellent for energy efficiency. Families with kids should use sliding sash windows since they are simple to maintain and clean. The greatest homes for tilt-in windows are those where the owner wants to maximize the amount of usable space.
How to Choose the Right Egress Window for Your Home Emergency Exit Plan?
Here are some tips on how to choose the right egress window for your home emergency exit plan:
1. Installation
In many circumstances, concrete wall cutting may be necessary in order to make the window larger when basement windows are turned into bedrooms in order to allow a playroom. Many window replacement companies advise hiring a contractor who would widen the window opening to the correct window size in such circumstances. Based on regional building codes, your window replacement firm will supply precise measurements.
It is typical for your town to demand a permit for this job, so be sure to ask your provider whether your window installation needs any additional authorizations. You must typically apply and get a cut-out permission as the homeowner. The new window can be added after the opening is made larger.
2. Window Wells
Most often, a well is necessary for simple access to basement windows. The well must also meet the specifications for egress windows, which provide a distance of 22 inches between each unit and the well’s wall. It’s there to make an emergency escape simple. Wells that are deeper than 44 inches need to be outfitted with a permanently attached ladder. Since it will involve cutting concrete, enlarging or making a well for your basement windows might necessitate hiring a contractor. The finest part is that several businesses excavate wells, cut concrete, and enlarge them.
3. Fire Code Windows
Egress Windows are a replacement option for the windows in your basement. There should be windows in every room so that you can use them to escape if necessary.
4. Strict Standards
There must be clear apertures that are 3.8 feet square or larger. However, it shouldn’t be any smaller than 15 inches. If there is no obstruction in the way, you can evacuate in an emergency without having to climb over a glass window. Any window security bars should be operational inside. The best feature of egress windows is that installing or removing them doesn’t call for specialized skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Window an Egress Window?
A window that is large enough, as specified by regional business codes, to allow entry or exit in an emergency is an egress window. When finishing a basement, these are necessary, and they are paired with an Egress Well that has an associated ladder or steps for a quick escape.
Is a Double Hung Window an Egress Window?
Yes. In both new and old homes, double-hung windows are a typical egress window design. They are made up of two overlapping sashes that form a horizontal center, with the top half opening downward and the bottom half opening upward.
Do Egress Windows need to Open In or Out?
Instead of swinging outward like conventional out-swing windows, in-swing egress windows swing inward to open. Usually found in restrooms and bedrooms, these windows offer a secure exit in an emergency.
What is the Purpose of the Egress Window?
An egress window is meant to be utilized as a means of escape in case of emergency. They also have extra advantages that come with other kinds of windows, but those are extras that complement their primary purpose. If you’re thinking about turning your basement into an extra room, you’ll need to replace or extend egress windows that don’t meet current safety standards. This is due to the fact that an egress window’s main function is to make a dwelling space safer by providing an easy emergency exit for anyone in the basement in the event of an emergency, such as a house fire.
The Best Egress Window Installation And Replacement Company
In the event of an emergency, would you and your family be able to exit your house by a basement window? Do you wish your basement was a cozier, better-illuminated area? Holliday Home Improvements is the best place to go for egress windows installation and replacement services. We install and replace high-quality egress windows from renowned manufacturers like Sunrise, Softlite, ProVia, and MI Windows & Doors. For a free quotation on egress window installation and replacement, contact us right away!
Call Holliday Home Improvements
At 843-689-2140 Now!
Holliday Home Improvements
138 Burnt Church Road, Ste. I, Bluffton, SC 29910
843-689-2140
Our Services
Schedule a Call Today!
Holliday Home Improvements started in 2010 by Jason and Susan Holliday as a subsidiary of Holliday Services, Inc. that has been serving the Lowcountry for cleaning and property management since 1976. Our company’s primary goal is to deliver exceptional door and window replacement services to our customers.