Many homes do not have the proper underground access to their basement dwelling. This is particularly true in older homes where the concept of having an egress window was not popular when the home was built.
What is an egress window?
The simple definition of an egress window is a point of entry or exit to and from your basement. It acts as a safe escape route in case your home has a fire and other points of exit are blocked, or are too dangerous to pass through. They are required by law to be big enough so a full-grown man can pass through them.
The Benefits of Egress Windows
The benefits of egress windows are numerous. Installing them over your existing basement windows comes with many benefits and very few drawbacks. In fact, egress windows add value to your home the minute construction is complete.
Egress windows allow natural light to flood into your basement, turning an otherwise dark room into a well-lit and functional area, perfect for later renovations. Additionally, for finished basements, an egress window makes for a great addition to an already fantastic space.
Egress windows also address a home’s safety concerns by installing a route of escape in the case of fire. An installed egress window in every room in the basement ensures that every person in the home has access to a safe exit at all times.
If you are interested in adding value to your home, an egress window is your call to arms. Not only does it add value in the event of a home sale, tit also stands a good chance of increasing your home’s square footage. By adding an extra bedroom with an egress window in your basement, you could recover up to 20-percent of your cost of installation.
Need extra comfort in your basement living area? Tired of your tiny, dingy basement windows? Then an egress window is the way to go. Not only do they allow for additional light to pour in, when opened, they act as a high quality basement ventilator, letting in natural, clean air.
They increase your home’s aesthetic value from the inside out. Because a large variety of materials can be used in the construction of your egress windows, you can make them a focal point in more ways than one. Plus, depending on your property, they are beautiful when attached to a patio area or outdoor living space and landscaped accordingly.
If waterproofing your basement is on your list, an egress window installed in place of an old, leaky window will stop unwanted water from entering your basement. Further, with new window technology, you can wave goodbye to condensation building on your basement windows like in the past. A new egress window solves basement water problems and gives your basement a new lease on life.
Are there any negatives to installing an egress window?
Though it may be possible to relate any cons associated with egress windows to cost, for the most part, negatives associated with egress windows are sparing.
As mentioned, about the only negative is cost surrounding the project. Which is rarely a concern for those who have budgeted for the install, or in the case where a project is dictated by building codes and the homeowner is left with no choice but to perform the upgrade and knows this beforehand.
Further, in regards to building codes, egress windows aren’t suited for a DIY project. For a solid build, one that is up to code and follows all standards, it is highly recommended that an expert is called in to perform the duty.
For more information on how we can help you with your egress window installation, please don’t hesitate to contact us for an estimate.
