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Grand Rapid's Best Value For Egress Window Installation
A great way to utilize The basement and add value to your Home
Why consider an egress window?
Many homes in West Michigan have basement windows that are small and offer very little benefit. In the last 20 years, it has become a requirement for new homes to have windows meeting certain size minimums in all bedrooms including those in the basement. Egress windows, as they are called, offer many benefits. Here are a few:
Egress windows in a basement bedroom will allow the occupant to escape in the event of a fire or other emergency. The size is such that anyone can get through and the height from the floor makes it possible for most children to reach.
Larger windows in a basement living area will make the space more livable. Your family will enjoy spending time in a more light-filled area.
Your home will be more valuable. Two things characterize a bedroom: it must have a door, a closet, and an egress window. Imagine the increase in the value of your home if it went from a three bedroom to a four bedroom.
Cutting an existing basement window larger can be the best way to meet egress requirements. It seems like a major project, but companies that specialize in this will make the process seamless.
The Three Window Types for Egress Windows
Double Hung Windows
A common style of window found on both old and new homes are double hung window. Consisting of two sashes which overlap horizontally in the middle of the window, the bottom half of a double hung window opens upward or the upper half opens downward. Applying the egress requirements to double hung windows, in order to reach the minimum opening area, the opening pane must clear 24 inches top to bottom and be at least 34 inches wide. That means the entire window must be more than 48 inches high.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows also consist of two different sections, but they open from side to side rather than up and down. Much like a sliding door, sliding windows move along a track. Given that egress windows must open to a width of at least 20 inches, to meet the area requirement, it would have to be a minimum of 41 inches high. With both vertical sections include, a sliding window would be at minimum a total of about 40 inches wide.
Casement Windows
Casement windows open in or out like a door on a hinge. They can either be controlled by a handle and pulled open or by a rotating lever. Casement windows work best for basement egress because they open out as opposed to up or to the side. Because the entire window opens, the whole thing can be smaller and still meet the minimum requirements. Thus, a casement window could either be as small as 24 inches high by 34.2 inches wide or 20 inches wide by 41 inches high. These are the same dimensions as with the previous two windows. The difference is with casement windows, the dimensions represent the size of the entire window.
Whatever window type you use for egress, its sill must be no higher off the floor than 44 inches. Basement egress windows must additionally be equipped with egress wells that allow space to exit.