Safety should always be a consideration when it comes to the windows and doors throughout your home. In case of an emergency where you must quickly leave your home, it is essential that you have access to an exit no matter what room you are in. To ensure this need is met, a specific type of window known as an egress may be necessary.

To explain what an egress window is, first place yourself in this scenario…

You have a 3-bedroom home with a basement. Oftentimes, a 4th bedroom can be very valuable and, in some cases, necessary. If you convert an area of the basement into a bedroom without factoring in the need for an escape route in that space, it can be very dangerous. It can also be problematic in terms of potential violations of building codes. This is where an egress window comes into play.

Egress Windows for Basement Bedrooms

An egress window is a window that is required in bedrooms to provide an emergency means of exiting. There are certain parameters that must be met for a bedroom window to qualify as an egress window.

The rules are as follows:

• The window must meet specific size requirements determined by local building codes.
• The window must meet building code requirements for the number of inches from the floor and the area outside the window must be a certain size; therefore, digging out an egress window well is often needed to be able to escape.
• An escape ladder or steps must be readily available in a window well.

In addition to satisfying safety and building code requirements, egress windows offer other important benefits, including:

• They allow for natural lighting in the basement.
• They can increase the resale value of a home when a room in the basement has been converted to a bedroom complete with an egress window.

How to Install An Egress Window in Your Home

Many factors must be considered when remodeling a home or designing a new home and deciding to incorporate an egress window is no different. Safety must always be a primary focus. That’s why you should work with a company that makes safety a number one priority, follows the building codes for meeting egress requirements, and hires professional builders who know how to install egress windows in concrete walls and how to install window wells. When a company knows what they are doing, you can rest assured that all requirements will be properly met.

Omaha Door & Window takes the necessary steps to understand all safety features, designs, and solutions in order to better serve our customers and community. Our team has the knowledge and experience to address your home’s window and door safety needs. Contact us to discuss your home and how we can make it a more secure place for you and your family.