Enhance Safety and Appearance with Egress Windows

Do you have a plan in place to safely exit your home in the event of an emergency situation? You never want to have to think about anything harmful happening to you or your family, but it is important to have a procedure in the books.

If you need to quickly get out of your basement but the stairway is not accessible, what’s your next move? Some homes have a walk-out access from the basement, and others have windows. Instead of worrying about trying to squeeze through a small window, you could have an egress window system installed.

According to Chapter 3, Section R310 of the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings, “Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.”

Here are additional code requirements for a means of egress:

• Minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet
• Minimum net clear opening height of 24 inches
• Minimum net clear opening width of 20 inches
• Maximum sill height of 44 inches from the floor to the bottom of the clear opening
• Permanently affixed ladder or steps
• Operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge

Ohio Basement Authority installs a variety of egress window systems to meet code requirements and enhance your home's safety and appearance. Whether you want to transition an old, small basement window into in egress window, or add a completely new window system to your basement, we can accommodate your egress window needs.

After excavating the area outside the location for the window, our expert crews take great care in cutting an opening in the foundation wall to meet the window’s size specifications. The new window is then installed. The double-pane glass is energy-efficient, and the all-vinyl frame resists rust and corrosion.

We then install a means for proper drainage, and a window well equipped with steps for easy access. Most of our window wells are lightly colored and allow more natural sunlight to enter and brighten up the basement. Clear covers also can be placed on top of the window wells for safety purposes and to keep leaves, debris, precipitation, and even animals and pests out of the window well.

If you use your basement as a bedroom or would like to upgrade your basement window system, you need an egress window. Contact Ohio Basement Authority for a free, no obligation inspection to see how we can help you enhance your home’s safety and appearance!