A common question hear all the time is "what is an egress window" ? Essentially an egress window is a fire escape window for any occupied finished basement in the country. The requirement became part of the International Residential Code in 1997 that all basements require an egress window. From experience throughout the years I have concluded that about 90% of our calls are from customers that are looking to sell or in the middle of selling and find they are in violation. Not installing one will hold up the closing of your home which in some cases can be months which can be a huge burden on both buyer/seller.
Customers always ask what is involved and what is the cost of an egress window. Many different factors play into the cost and installation. On average cost of installing an egress window ranges around 4-6K within reason. Not a bad investment considering the work involved and what you get for it. Just peace in mind is worth it knowing that your loved ones will be protected in case of an emergency.
What are the requirements of an egress window?:
- Minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet
- Minimum net clear opening height of 24"
- Minimum net clear opening width of 20"
- Window well must be 9 square feet
- Maximum 44" sill height from finished floor
- Maximum 44" height from inside window well
- Any heights over 44" require a ladder installed
- Ladders shall be affixed permanently with width of at least 12 inches; shall project at least 3" from wall and ladder treads should not exceed 18" on center
What can determine the cost when installing an egress window?:
- Block wall or poured concrete wall
- Access to the location where window is
- Amount of digging depth
- Removal of excess dirt off of premises
- Finish the interior or not
- Add a Bilco preformed egress window well
- Removal of trees in front of location where window is to be installed
Commonly asked questions:
- How long will it take to install an egress window? Typically 2-5 days
- Will there be any dust during the project? Yes, as with any construction you can expect some dust. We have a system though that keeps dust at nominal levels
- What if there are any gas/water/electrical lines in wall? We will move at an additional cost; unfortunately we cannot determine that until wall has been opened
- Will not having an egress window hold up my closing? Absolutely, if you have a finished basement you need one and 90% of our calls are for this reason
- Will an egress window increase the value of my home? Any upgrade will increase the value. Besides more ventilation and light, you bring your basement to code and also protect your loved ones in case of an emergency
- What kind of window will you be using? We use an Anderson 400 series casement window with a 22" net clear opening
Installing an egress window will also improve light and ventilation for your basement. Basements are always a breeding ground for mold and mildew as they are underground and create moisture. Adding light and ventilation will cut down your chances of toxic mold and mildew forming. Many people add a dehumidifier also to help remove moisture from their basement especially during the hot humid months of summer. Weather you are looking to sell or keep your home, an egress window is a great investment that brings safety and added value to your home!!!
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If you are looking for an egress window contractor,
you have come to the right spot!!!!!!!
We know all the "in's and outs" when it comes to egress windows!!!!
845-590-5336
Working out of Monroe.NY for many years, Bill Bateman has performed hundreds of egress window installations over the years helping protect families from harm in the case of a house fire. National code requires all finished basements to have an egress window as a fire escape to protect your loved ones in time of need. Not only for safety reasons, egress windows add a lot more than that to your basement.
Benefits of adding an Egress Window:
- Peace in mind that your loved ones are protected
- Added light
- More ventilation
- Double pane glass adds more insulation
- Low E glass that protects from UV rays
What are the building codes when installing an egress window?
- Window must be minimum 5.7 sq. ft.
- Window must have a minimum 22" net clear when open
- Inside window sill height must not reach over 44" high
- Window well must be minimum 9 sq. ft. inside measurements
- Window well height must not exceed 44"
- In the case inside/outside window height exceed 44", a ladder must be added
Added an egress window to your home can be both exciting and stressful! Exciting for the people that want one and stressful for the people trying to sell their home and its holding up your closing. Every town is requiring egress windows and we see that 90% of the time it is when the customer is trying to sell and is in violation. The violation has to be corrected and holds up the sale for both buyer and seller. Contact us today for a free estimate if you are interested in an egress window installation!!!!
845-590-5336
Topics:
basements,
egress windows,
finished basement,
fire escape,
window,
foundation
Here at WMB CONSTRUCTION we pride ourselves in on time quality work here in the Hudson Valley, NY. For all your needs we are here for you! Based out of Monroe, NY; we are your one stop construction company. With that being said, yor home has many needs; roof, siding, kitchen, bathroom, patios, drainage, garage door, finished basement, egress window, anderson windows, pella windows, decks, remodeling, painting, flooring, staining.......etc!
We perform all phases of construction and home remodeling all over Orange County, NY Most of our work is close based due to word of mouth recomendations with repeat customers. We like establishing trust within our customers that lasts a lifetime.
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basements,
Roofing,
home,
Decks,
egress windows,
finished basement
Adding an egress window to your home is an excellent idea, opening up your basement to fresh air and light and most importantly the safety of your family and your pets. Across the country it has become a national code and all homes must pass inspection and have an egress window if your basement is finished.
Requirements for an egress window:
- Window must be 5.7 square feet
- Window must have a clear opening of 20"
- Window must be at least 24" in height
- Window well must be 9 square feet interior dimensions
- Sill height of window from inside floor of basement must not exceed 44"
- Height inside window well must not exceed 44"
- If inside/outside heights exceed 44", a ladder must be installed
- Window must be operatable by hand with no tools
- Bars on the outside of window will not be acceptable
- Garage doors are not an acceptable exit
What are the benefits of adding an egress window?:
- First off, the safety of your family and loved ones
- Better ventilation because we all know basements can be stuffy and moist
- Added natural light which makes for a better and more heathly atmosphere
- If your basement is't finished this is a great way go get material in
- Added value to your home
Here at WMBCONSTRUCTION we specialize in installing egress windows and all windows around the beautiful Hudson Valley in Monroe, NY. We know what your home means to you and mainly the safety of your family. These codes were put in play for a reason and even in our home town of Orange County, NY we have seen how they have helped save lives during a fire and at the same time improve everyday live when there is no tragedy.
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contractor,
home,
drainage,
egress windows,
finished basement
We all have bathrooms in our homes and here at WMB CONSTRUCTION we pride ourselves in building and renovating them here in Orange County, NY 10950. Bathroom can range in any shape or size and can have many different features you can add or choose from. Nothing beats a hot shower on a cold morning or cold shower on a hot muggy day.
New or old revovation, bathroom designs are always exciting! Every customer has different tastes, wants and needs which makes it exciting for us to create your inside oasis.
Bathroom options:
- Bathtub
- Showerstall
- Concrete showerbase
- Body jets
- Jacuzzi
- Jacuzzi tub
- Bidet
- Multiple showerheads
- Heated floors
- Handicap tubs and bars
- Shower jets
- In wall shelves
Bathrooms are a part of our everyday lives and we all deserve to be clean in a fashionable way. Nothing better than a nice bath/shower after a long days work or even a night on the town.
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toilet
Your home is most definetly your biggest investment you have in your life, besides your family that is! With that being said, I'm sure you want to protect it just like you would your family. Your roof is the most important part of your home and without it you would have no protection from the elements of mother nature. A very common saying is "At least I have a roof over my head" and there's a lot of truth to that! So what I'm getting at is that here in the northeast we have some pretty brutal weather, especially in the winter. A good roof is a necessity in these parts!
WMB Construction, located in Monroe, NY specializes in helping homeowners bullet proof their roofs from the harsh weather we experience. A basic roof needs many ailments to make it a quality roof that will stand up and last for years.
What does your roof need?:
- Ice dam installed
- 30 year architectural shingles installed
- Ridge vents
- Soffit vents
- Drip edge
- A reputable roofing contractor to professionally install your new roof
Now, what people dont about their roof will boggle you! We all pay high cost premiums for home insurance. What you don't know is that these companies won't reinburse you if you have a failing roof! It's like having life insurance when you claim you have never smoked and die of lung cancer. Many times insurance companies will call it an act of god!
Be smart in protecting your investment. A poor roof can leave your home worthless and after paying for years, thats bad news to hear! Water damage can do more damage than you can possibly imagine. Most times water damage goes unnoticed for years creating crippling damage to your home, or worse, even your health!
Call today for a free roof estimate!
845-590-5336
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additions,
finished basement
Remodeling a home can be a very costly venture. Homeowners looking to add value to their homes may try to add upgrades or renovate entire sections of their homes to make them more marketable. Not all home upgrades and renovations are worth spending your hard-earned money on, though. Here is a look at five ways to make your home renovation worth the money and effort you put into it.
Your roof is the main component of your home. Without a good roof your house will remain worthless. A new roof is always a great investment because no bank ever wants to get involved in loaning money for a home that isn't protected. A poor roof can also increase your chances for mold and mildew build up due to leaking water that can cause health ailments and thousands in damage.
Signs that you need a new roof:
-
Algae growth on shingles
-
Damaged flashing
-
Buckling of sheathing under shingles
-
Curling of shingles
-
Blistering of shingles
-
Missing shingles
-
Ceiling spots inside of your home
-
Missing granules on shingles
-
Evidence of rotting
Your bathroom is one of the most frequented rooms in your home. It is the room where you freshen up everyday and take care of your personal hygiene. Bathroom remodels have been known to return 30-40% on your initial investment when you sell. Nobody wants to move into a home knowing that the bathroom is in need of complete renovation and will in most cases pay more for the home with a good finished bathroom remodel.
Signs that you might need a bathroom remodel:
-
Visual evidence of mold and mildew build up
-
Soft spots on floor/and or walls(may indicate rot which could be serious if not addressed)
-
Leaking water
-
Musty smell
-
Grout missing in many areas
Your Kitchen is the most frequented room in your home. It brings family together and is the heart of every home. The kitchen is usually the first room you see in a house, so with that being said, it is the most important. I have seen returns as high a 50% on real nice kitchen remodels. The first thing you want to do when selling is knock your buyer off their feet and you can do this with a good quality kitchen.
Signs you might need a new kitchen:
-
Soft spots on floors
-
Cabinets are delaminating
-
Cabinets are faded
-
Circuit breakers keep tripping when you plug in appliances
-
Mold and mildew build up
Decks are always a great benefit to any home. Outdoor living and entertaining is on a rise and each year the demand keeps rising for these projects. It creates a personal oaisis and tranquility right in your backyard. It is a guaranteed investment that you and your family can enjoy for years and still have return at the end.
Signs you might need a new deck:
-
Deck surface is splintering
-
Deck bounces or sways when walking on it
-
Railings are loose and wobbly
Finished basements are key to any home. Unfinished it adds no square footage or value to your home. A nice finished basement will most likely have any male interested in purchasing your home know it has beautiful hideaway known as "The Man Cave"! But besides that it creates a great area for entertaining or even just a playroom for the kids. The ideas can become endless when designing your basement. You can add a bathroom, bar, play areas, pool table, etc.!!! A definate asset to your home. Right off the bat when listing your home your square footage will increase by 600-1000 which equals big gains.
Why you might want to remodel your basement:
-
Added square footage
-
Added value
-
Creates entertaining/playing area
When performing any remodel it is important to pay attention to detail and quality! The sight of a poor install can have adverse affects on your return. While all these recommended projects can be costly, I advise customers to set up a five to ten year plan to save and complete these projects for your enjoyment and to increase the value of your largest investment, your home!
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General Contractor,
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remodel,
bathrooms,
basements,
Composite Decking Orange County NY,
construction-general--monroe,
Roofing,
footing drain,
anderson,
egress windows,
painter
If you are considering remodeling your basement you will likely find that your town requires the installation of egress windows. Most building codes mandate that egress windows be installed in order to provide an adequate escape route in an emergency situation, such as a fire. Besides adding safety and increasing your home's value, egress windows can greatly increase airflow and light, changing what was once a dark basement into a light, airy living space.
Egress windows come in as many varieties as typical windows, with as many different levels of quality and insulation, depending on the manufacturer. But all egress windows are designed to provide a safe escape route in the event of emergency. Most often, they provide about 6 square feet of roughly rectangular window surface. Check with the manufacturer if there is any question of whether a particular window is suitable to be used as an egress window.
Benefits of adding an egress window:
-
Added safety
-
More natural light
-
Ventilation
-
Creates cleaner basement enviroment and decreases the chances for mold and mildew
-
Peace in mind that your loved ones will be safe
-
Added value
-
Aesthetically, they can change the look and feel of a basement
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Posted by william bateman on Tue, Sep 06, 2011 @ 08:55 AM
WHAT IS AN EGRESS WINDOW?
An egress window is a window that is required in specific locations in a dwelling and is intended to provide an emergency means of exiting a dwelling. Windows must meet specific size and requirements to qualify as an egress window.
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Posted by william bateman on Tue, Sep 06, 2011 @ 08:55 AM
WHAT IS AN EGRESS WINDOW?
An egress window is a window that is required in specific locations in a dwelling and is intended to provide an emergency means of exiting a dwelling. Windows must meet specific size and requirements to qualify as an egress window.
WHERE ARE EGRESS WINDOWS REQUIRED?
Egress windows are required in every room used for sleeping purposes (bedrooms) on any floor and in basements with habitable space. If you are constructing a new home, the code requires that you put an egress window in each bedroom. It also requires an egress window in the basement if habitable rooms will be finished in the basement. If you install a basement bedroom or bedrooms, an egress window is required in each bedroom. If you have an existing home and you add a sleeping room in an unfinished basement, the code requires that you install an egress window in the sleeping room or rooms.
WHAT ARE SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EGRESS
WINDOW?
An egress window must satisfy four International Residential Code (IRC) criteria:
• Minimum width of opening: 20 in.
• Minimum height of opening: 24 in.
• Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor).
• Maximum sill height above floor: 44 in
The window must have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft. Net clear opening refers to the actual free and clear space that exists when the window is open. It is not the rough opening size or the glass panel size, but the actual opening a person can crawl through.
The window opening must be operational from the inside without keys or tools. Bars, grilles and grates may be installed over windows but must be operational without tools or keys and still allow the minimum clear opening.
You might assume that a 20-in. by 24-in. window would be acceptable for egress. However, those dimensions would yield a net clear opening of only 3.3 sq. ft. To achieve the required net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft., a 20-in. wide window would have to be 42 in. high. Likewise, a 24-in. high window would have to be 34 in. wide
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