Egress Window Guide

What is an Egress Window?

An egress window is any window that is designed for quickly and safely escaping a home. They are very easy to access and climb out of in case of an emergency. They are also designed to be used by emergency personnel responding to medical or fire calls. The simplest way to think about “what’s an egress window?” is to say “it’s a window you can easily get in and out of.”

To meet egress requirements, there are size guidelines egress windows must follow as well as a list of window types to choose from. 

Let’s take an in-depth look at what every homeowner must know about egress window before embarking on an egress window installation.

What Does an Egress Window Cost?

The average cost for an egress window installation is $3,000. However, that average is tilted toward the high end by how often egress windows are installed in basements.

Explore all you need to know about your egress window cost before you meet with a contractor so nothing comes as a surprise.

Egress Window Requirements

Egress windows are required in bedrooms as well as in basements and attics that have been converted to extra living space/an additional bedroom.

Windows must be at least 24 inches high, 20 inches wide, and provide 5.7 square feet of a clear opening. If your window is in the basement or on the ground floor, it only needs 5 square feet of a clear openings. The window sill can be a maximum of 44 inches from the floor.

Here’s what all that looks like when you break it down by room.

Egress Window Types

Several window types work for an egress window installation, including: 

• Casement windows. These are hinged on one side.
• Double-hung windows. This window type includes two moveable sashes.
• Sliding windows. Instead of opening up, down, or out, these slide open sideways.
• Awning windows. Awning is a type of casement window that is hinged at the top and opens at the bottom.
• Hopper windows. Another type of casement window, hopper windows are hinged at the bottom and swing inward from the top.
• Skylight windows. An excellent option for single-story home bedrooms, though you will have to ensure it is an operable type as opposed to fixed.

Read more about egress window types so that you can narrow in on which options are most interesting to you.

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Egress Window Size Chart

Though there are some basic measurements to keep in mind in terms of height and width for an egress window, those measurements need to add up to a minimum clear opening of 5.7 square feet. Below, we have an egress window size chart showing how big the opening must be for some of the most popular window types to meet egress. Keep these egress window dimensions in mind as you are shopping for options!

Our guide to egress window size digs into these numbers in more depth.

Do I Need an Egress Window?

Determining whether you need an egress window depends on several factors, including local building codes, the specific use of the room (if it’s a bedroom or living space, for example), and the safety requirements for emergency exits in your area. Here are some guidelines to help you assess if an egress window is required in your home and if your current windows already meet egress.

1. Bedrooms

Egress windows are typically required in rooms used for sleeping, such as bedrooms. That includes basement bedrooms. The purpose is to provide a safe exit in case of an emergency, such as a fire or other hazards.

2. Basement Living Spaces

If you have a finished basement or plan to convert your basement into living space, you will likely need to install egress windows to comply with building codes and provide a safe exit for occupants. This may mean you need to excavate a window well or make an existing window well larger.

3. Window Size and Accessibility

Egress windows must meet specific size requirements to provide a clear opening for safe escape. The minimum clear opening width is typically 20 inches, and the minimum clear opening height is usually 24 inches. For basements, the window size increases to 36 inches by 36 inches. If you have a window that already fits those requirements, then you have an egress window! If you don’t, you may need to install one.

4. Window Height From Floor

Egress windows should be located at a certain height above the finished floor to ensure easy exit access for all occupants, including children and individuals with limited mobility. In the United States, the bottom of the window is usually not allowed to be more than 44 inches above the finished floor.

5. Home Safety

Even if it is not legally required, installing egress windows can significantly enhance the safety of your home and provide peace of mind for you and your family. If you live in an area prone to wildfires or other types of natural disasters, you may want to consider egress windows in all living areas in addition to the basement and bedrooms.

6. Future Home Sale

If you plan to sell your home in the future, having egress windows where required will be essential for meeting building code requirements and can be appealing to potential buyers. A basement egress window also typically allows more light into the room, which can increase your ROI.

Check the building codes and regulations in your local area. Building codes may differ from one jurisdiction to another, and they often specify the size, location, and accessibility requirements for egress windows in certain rooms.

Replacing Egress Windows in Old Homes

Even though egress windows are currently required by fire code in the United States, they weren’t always. That means some older homes may have basements or bedrooms with windows that do not meet current egress standards.

Even once egress windows were required, those requirements were less stringent. For instance, egress window regulations for a second story used to require 5 square feet of space when opened, and today they require 5.7 square feet. That’s because the fire codes now take into account a rescue ladder as well as a fireman in full protective gear.

To verify that your windows are large enough, it is important to walk around your home and measure each of them to see if they are at least 24 inches tall and 20 inches wide and that they have a full opening of at least 5 square feet on the ground floor and 5.7 square feet on higher stories of the house.

Only certain window brands offer egress windows, so you will want to talk to your local window installer about which window brand is the best for this type of window installation.

Egress Window: The Bottom Line

Every home in the U.S. requires at least one egress window. Every bedroom in your home needs one, plus any attic space or basement space that has been converted into living area or additional bedrooms.

Modernize recommends getting quotes from three to four egress window installers to find the best price. If you are shopping for a basement egress window, ensure the contractor you hire has completed similar projects before and is skilled and knowledgeable regarding window wells (the area outside your basement egress window) as well as all egress window requirements.

We can take the research out of your contractor selection process and match you with up to four vetted pros in your area.

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