Put your trust in our team to install your basement egress window system.
Many homes in the Western New York area are not properly equipped with a safe escape route out of the basement. Fortunately, you can rely on Nickel City Home Service to keep your family’s home safe and up to code with an egress window system installation. We are experienced installers and can help guide you through all aspects of your project from start to finish. From gathering the proper permits to helping to find a structural engineer for the project we have you covered.
You can rest assured that during your egress installation Nickel City Home Service will adhere to all New York State and local municipal codes for installation of your new egress window systems.
Learn the facts about basement egress window systems
Installing a basement egress window in your home can make your basement:
Egress Window Minimum Requirements:
Your safety is our top priority. Call 716-461-0949 now to install basement egress windows in the Buffalo, NY area.
It is widely known that one of the most cost-effective ways to add valuable square footage to your home and increase your home’s living space is to finish your basement. With the addition of an egress window system your basement can be legally transformed into anything you need it to be. However, if you are considering adding a bedroom, home office, family area, or a playroom to your basement, you should know that New York State has the following code requirement.
Current NYS code states the following:
“All basement areas over 200 SF and any habitable space and sleeping rooms in basements must have a second means of egress with a minimum open area of 5.7 square feet”.
Egress windows not only provide a required safety feature, but they also offer increased natural light that we homeowners struggle to achieve in our basements. Our complete egress window systems are customizable to meet your desired size and look. We offer several options in single hung and slider style windows.
To get a free estimate on your egress window installation and comprehensive plan contact us today.
Egress Codes and Minimum Requirements
Minimum opening area. – RR310.1.1
All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet.
Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet.
Minimum opening height. – RR310.1.2
The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches.
Minimum opening width. – RR310.1.3
The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches.
Operational constraints. – RR310.1.4
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tooIs.
Window wells. – RR310.2
The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet, with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
Exception: The ladder or steps required by RR31 0.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches into the required dimensions of the window well.
Ladder and steps. – RR310.2.1
Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with RR311.5 and RR311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches, shall project at least 3 inches from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
Bars, grills, covers, and screens. – RR310.4
Bars, grills, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with RR31 0.1.1 to RR31 0.1.3, and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.
What is the minimum opening for an egress window?
5.7 Square ft is the minimum opening
Why should you add an egress window to your basement?
An egress window in each bedroom, as well as in other “habitable” areas (basements included), drastically increases your chances of safe escape in the event of a major house fire, and provides entry points into your home for emergency personnel.
All bedrooms must have egress windows, so if you are planning a bedroom in the basement, an egress window is a must. Even if you’re thinking about a playroom, family room, or other space, egress window installation may be a wise choice.
Will an egress window add value to my home?
Yes it will.
Adding egress windows in your basement is especially important when it comes to increasing the value of your home, since it’s the key to bringing basement bedrooms and living areas up to NYS code and including them in calculations of overall square footage.
Do I need a Building Permit?
YES ALWAYS!!
Local authorities will require you to get a permit for the replacement of your windows. This will ensure that contractors follow all codes i.e. egress, energy efficiency, smoke detector, tempered glass etc. It will also help you avoid any complications in future if you ever decide to sell your home.
CALL US WERE THE EXPERTS AT GETTING PERMITS AND DEALING WITH ALL LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT
What items do I need before I can start my project?
You will need all of the following:
Call us we can assist in planning all facets of the project from start to finish.
Can you finish a basement without an egress?
Any finished basement project must incorporate an Egress window if any portion of the space will be used as a bedroom, or if you are creating another habitable space (a family room, for example) that does not already have an Egress window or a door.
Is it worth putting in an egress window?
An egress window is a great way to make your home safe and comfortable and an excellent way to add instant value to your home. It is a fairly affordable project and one of the few that will fully recoup your costs in resale value.
Are walk-out basements considered egress?
Not all walkout basements are considered a means of egress. Just because you have a ground-level exit doesn’t mean it meets the egress requirements. In order for your walkout basement to be considered as an egress, you’ll need to ensure it is part of the bedroom or living space.
Nickel City Home Service provides foundation waterproofing, foundation repairs, yard drainage & egress window installation services.
40 Dewberry Lane
Buffalo, NY 14227
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Primary: 716-461-0949
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Tue: 8:00AM-4:30PM
Wed: 8:00AM-4:30PM
Thu: 8:00AM-4:30PM
Fri: 8:00AM-4:30PM
Sat: By Appointment
Sun: CLOSED