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?:
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!!!
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.
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!
Here in the northeast we can experience some pretty brutal winters that can leave our homes at high risk if you don't have a good roof. The strongest part of your home may be the foundation but without a adequate roof, your home is worthless! Crippling snowstorms are very common in our area and the weight load of snow on our roofs can result in collaspe of your roof, as we have just seen in Buffalo, NY
Another common problem is ice damming. Ice damming occurs when heat loss from your home due to inadequate insulation melts snow and it freezes when it reaches the soffit of your home. As ice forms water backs up under the shingles causing major water damage to the interior of your home.
A poor roof can leave a home with very little value due to the damage it can do. Sometimes the damage can go unnoticed for years until it is too late! Rot and mildew can run rampant if issues aren't corrected quickly and efficiently!
What are the risks of a poor roof?:
Interior water damage
Rotten wood
Dry rot
Mold/mildew
Health problems
Allergies
Termites
Carpenter ants
Roof collapse
With a new roof replacement you want to do it right. New architectural shingles on the market are rated for 30 yrs. Thats a long time but if not installed correctly, roof will fail!!!
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 isone 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 basementsare 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!
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 are designed to allow people to escape a basement in the event of a fire. Most often, egress windows are installed during a basement renovation in order to comply with local building codes. Many towns have specific measurements that must be met, so it will be necessary to contact your local building-codes office in order to find out exactly what size window you must install in your basement.
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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Egress windows are essentially fire escape windows installed in finished basements. It is a national code that enstates that all finished basements must have a window of 5.7 sq. ft., no more than 44 inches to the sill height and 22 inch clear opening to be able to escape in case of an emergency.
A recent egress window installation byWMB Constructionwhere we removed the sliding glass door, which had water/flooding issues, and installed a window.
Here we closed in the block foundation and added a footing drain to relieve water pressure. Foundation will be tarred and backfilled with lots of 3/4" gravel to keep the water moving.
All parging is complete and window looks like it has always been there. A little paint to match is all the customer needs once concrete has cured. Water issues were corrected to keep this basement dry while also conforming to building codes.
Benefits by installing an egress window:
Added ventilation to your basement
Added natural light which helps prevent growth of mold and mildew
Peace in mind that your loved ones will be protected and safe from harms way
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.
Subscribe for the latest blogs on new products and up to date information
Egress windows are essentially fire escape windows installed in finished basements. It is a national code that enstates that all finished basements must have a window of 5.7 sq. ft., no more than 44 inches to the sill height and 22 inch clear opening to be able to escape in case of an emergency.
A recent egress window installation byWMB Constructionwhere we removed the sliding glass door, which had water/flooding issues, and installed a window.
Here we closed in the block foundation and added a footing drain to relieve water pressure. Foundation will be tarred and backfilled with lots of 3/4" gravel to keep the water moving.
All parging is complete and window looks like it has always been there. A little paint to match is all the customer needs once concrete has cured. Water issues were corrected to keep this basement dry while also conforming to building codes.
Benefits by installing an egress window:
Added ventilation to your basement
Added natural light which helps prevent growth of mold and mildew
Peace in mind that your loved ones will be protected and safe from harms way
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 habitablerooms 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
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 habitablerooms 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.
What do you gain by installing an egress window?
Added safety for you and your loved oned
Better air circulation in your basement creating a better enviroment to eliminate mold and mildew issues
Added natural light
No issues with your building department(especially if you are selling)
If you have been shopping for windows or if it's time for a window replacement in your home, Andersen High-Performance™ Low-E4™ glass is for you. Get windows that stay cleaner, dry faster for easy cleaning and that have up to 99% less water spots*.
The new Low-E4™ glass reduces water spots up to 99%* and minimizes dirt build-up on the window when activated by sunlight. Andersen Low-E4™ glass saves time and money. It dries faster with fewer water spots and energy-efficient Low-E4™ glass also adds the thermal protection of Low-E glass to a home**.
High-Performance™ Low-E4™ glass reduces sound penetration and protects your interior from damaging UV rays. During shipping and finishing, a removable film protects Low-E4™ glass from dirt or mortar. Like all Andersen windows and doors, Low-E4™ glass comes with a 20-year limited warranty.
* exterior glass only, when activated ** A study of identical homes comparing Low-E to ordinary dual-pane glass showed 25% in savings on cooling bills. 10% on heating bills. Savings may vary geographically.
UV Protection
Andersen Advantage
Ordinary dual-pane glass lets 62% of UV light pass through. Our High-Performance™ Low-E glass cuts that down to 17% with virtually no effect on the clarity and color of the light.
With Low-E glass, if your thermostat is set at 70°, the temperature of the innermost glass pane won't drop below 57° even if it's 0° outside. In warm climates, Low-E glass works just as hard to keep your home cool. For extreme climates, we also offer High-Performance Sun™ glass for maximum UV protection and temperature control.
Ten Tips for Good Installation
Read and follow the installation instructions.
Install your Andersen products only in the vertical position.
Check the rough opening to make sure it is sized properly and is square and level.
Apply proper flashing under and around window and door openings.
Double-check the alignment of the window before finally anchoring it in the wall, and properly secure using appropriate fasteners.
Insulate the interior cavity between the window frame and the rough opening. Do not overpack.
Stain and/or seal all unfinished wood surfaces promptly to minimize moisture absorption.
Keep paint off the weatherstrip and the interior hardware finish.
Protect the window during construction and plastering.
Ensure proper installation and operation of the window before applying the interior trim.
Proper measurement and installation of Andersen products is the sole responsibility of the architect, building owner, contractor and/or consumer.