If you are finishing your basement or adding a bedroom below grade, egress windows are not optional — they are required by building code in most jurisdictions. But beyond code compliance, egress windows add safety, natural light, and value to your home. Here is what you need to know.
An egress window is a window large enough for a person to escape through in an emergency such as a fire. Building codes require egress windows in basement bedrooms and, in many cases, in any finished basement living space. The window must meet specific minimum dimensions for opening height, width, and total area.
The typical code requirement is a minimum opening of 5.7 square feet, with a minimum height of 24 inches and minimum width of 20 inches. The bottom of the window opening cannot be more than 44 inches from the floor. Your local jurisdiction may have additional requirements.
Egress window wells are required when the window is below grade. The well must be large enough to allow a person to exit and must include a permanently attached ladder or steps if the well is deeper than 44 inches. Proper drainage at the bottom of the well prevents water from pooling.
Beyond safety, egress windows transform a basement. Natural light makes the space feel larger, more inviting, and more livable. A dark, enclosed basement becomes a bright, comfortable room that your family actually wants to use.
Installation involves cutting an opening in the foundation wall, installing the window well with drainage, setting and sealing the window, and finishing the interior and exterior. A professional installation ensures the structural integrity of the foundation is maintained and the window is properly waterproofed.
Egress windows also increase your home's value. A code-compliant basement bedroom adds to your home's usable square footage, which is reflected in the appraised value. It is one of the highest-return basement improvements you can make.
SuperDry Basements installs egress windows throughout Southeast Michigan. We handle permits, excavation, foundation cutting, window installation, and waterproofing — a complete, code-compliant installation backed by our warranty.
