Basement Egress Window Code Saves Lives – But It Almost Didn’t Happen TAGS: basement egress windows | building codes | Egress windows | means of egress

Basement egress window code saves many lives each and every year – but there were many who tried to prevent a means of egress being part of the building requirements. In 2000, the International Residential Code (IRC) was changed to require all basement dwellings to have a means of egress; in case of fire or other emergency. That inspired politicians to move on similar legal requirements in the United States – but contrary to what you might expect, it wasn’t easy to get them passed. You might wonder why people would resist adding a life-saving measure to the national building …Continue reading →

Casement Windows for Basement Egress: Cheap Fix or Bad Idea? TAGS: Adding egress windows | building codes | Egress windows | means of egress | safe basement exit

Not all basement windows are created equal. Make sure yours meet code before you waste time and money having to reinstall them. Having to get a finished basement up to code is a smart move; and quickly pays for itself in terms of house value and rental potential. However, the initial outlay often inspires homeowners to try and cut corners when adding a means of egress – and that can lead to costly problems in the future. One of the most common “cheap fix” solutions homeowners attempt is to install regular casement windows as a means of egress. Sadly, it’s …Continue reading →

If You Like It, Put a Lid On It TAGS: bringing fresh air in a basement | building codes | Egress windows | safe basement exit | Sunlight into a basement

An egress well cover or grate is a smart investment for your basement window well. Egress window wells are an essential for your basement. Not only are they legally required by building code; but they’re a vital safety feature that could help people escape from the basement in the event of an emergency. But adding basement windows requires a few adjustments around the rest of the house, too – especially in the yard or garden. John Symon, a customer from Bethlahem, Pa., explained a couple of issues he ran into: “I finished my basement last year,” he emailed to tell …Continue reading →

Fire Prevention Safety Week: Have 2 Ways Out TAGS: Adding egress windows | Egress windows | emergeny escape | means of egress | safe basement exit

This week is national Fire Prevention Safety Week – and their message couldn’t hit closer to home. Every year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) holds their Fire Prevention Safety Week – with a special message to help people protect themselves and their families from fire. This year, the message is one we feel particularly passionate about: “Have 2 Ways Out.” They write: It is important to have a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds. What if your first escape route is blocked by smoke or …Continue reading →

A Valuable Tool for Firefighters TAGS: Egress windows | emergeny escape | means of egress | safe basement exit

If you look it up in a dictionary, a “means of egress” means an exit – but the reason basement escape windows are considered a life-saver by firefighters is actually the opposite: Egress windows allow them to get into a basement during a fire, and rescue those who might be trapped inside. As we wrote about back in May, basements can be a killer when it comes to house fires. One of the reasons a means of egress is now a building code regulation is because of the number of people trapped in basements during a fire. With National Fire …Continue reading →

Don’t Start From Scratch When Installing Basement Windows TAGS: Adding egress windows | building codes | Dial 811 | Egress windows | means of egress

Many older basements don’t have a means of egress installed – but a lot of them do have some kind of window or opening to let light and air in. If you’re not sure where to start with your basement renovation, why not consider using these existing windows to help you install your egress windows? More and more American homeowners are converting their basements into furnished family rooms, spare bedrooms, home offices or rental apartments. In order to meet building code, however, it’s necessary to have a “means of egress” installed. One tip we recommend for homeowners installing basement windows …Continue reading →

Bring a Small Basement Apartment Up to Code with a Space Saving Egress Window TAGS: Adding egress windows | basement egress windows | Egress windows | means of egress

National building code requires that all basement apartments have a means of egress installed – but where space is at a premium, that can be difficult to make happen. One solution is a space-saving egress window well. The 2009 IRC Building Code brought in regulations that made it mandatory to fit some means of egress into basement windows – a vital safety feature to allow basement residents to escape if there’s a fire or other disaster. But for thousands of American homeowners, bringing their basements up to code has not been easy. While it’s always a good investment to finish …Continue reading →

Product Reviews for Basement Window Installation – Husqvarna Saws TAGS: Adding egress windows | Egress windows | Installing an Egress Window

As more and more enterprising homeowners take charge of their own basement remodel, we thought we’d offer some tips and tricks straight from the contractors. Here are our thoughts on three of the most popular saws used for cutting windows in concrete walls. A basement window installation for egress is kind of like installing a swimming pool – it involves a lot more than just digging a big hole! One challenge, for example, is cutting the gaps for basement windows right through the existing walls of your home. Here are three popular products from Husqvarna you can use for cutting …Continue reading →

Fiberglass Window Wells for a Tight Space TAGS: Adding egress windows | Egress windows

When space is at a premium, our fiberglass window wells might be the answer. Recently, we received a question from a homeowner in Baltimore; who was refurbishing their basement, but was facing trouble fitting a code-compliant basement window. “I live in an old 1950s townhouse,” wrote David Cearn, “and we don’t have a yard, so much as an alleyway.” When David asked a couple of contractors about installing a means of egress in his basement, he got the same reply from both of them: “There’s not enough room.” That’s because egress window wells are normally installed with crushed stone or …Continue reading →

Complying with Basement Egress Code Affordably TAGS: building codes | Egress windows | means of egress

We helped one homeowner find an affordable solution to comply with the basement egress code for his rental apartment. “When I rented out my basement, I hoped I’d be earning money from it,” writes Jeff Kotzer, from Sitzer, Wisconsin. “But after the township found out, I ended up facing a big bill instead.” Jeff was facing a situation similar to that of hundreds of thousands of American homeowners – those whose finished basements don’t meet national building code. Townships and regulators nationwide have stepped up inspections and enforcements and – as a result – people like Jeff are on the …Continue reading →