Categories: HOME IMPROVEMENT

How to Install an Egress Window

Nothing can open up a basement like adding an egress window; it will bring in more light, fresh air and provide a safe escape hatch if you need to get out quickly. However, the job can be miserable if you don’t it plan correctly and get the correct tools.

Selecting the egress window location

The first thing you will want to do is select the proper location for your egress window. Stay away from walkways, high traffic areas and you want to try and limit your egress to the side or back of your house. Preferably, behind a fence to help keep it more secure. If you already have a small basement window, that is a good place for an egress window. This will also make give you less concrete block to cut out. Be sure to call and have all the underground utility lines marked before selecting the final location.

Selecting the egress window

A Casement window will give you the most opening but the smallest window footprint. Most window companies have a specific egress window that matches the code. In my case, I selected an Anderson casement window that was specially sized and hinged to be an egress window.

According to my local building code, these are the dimensions. Minimum width of opening: 20 in, Minimum height of opening: 24 in. with a net opening at least 5.7 sq ft for a below ground egress window. The maximum height of the window sill should be no more than 44 inches above the floor. From what I have seen, this code pretty standard, but check with your local building inspector.

Digging the well!

You may want to hire somebody or a strong teenager to dig the bulk of the window well. You will want to dig down a number of feet below where the bottom of the window will rest. I also took a post hole digger and dug an additional 3 feet down and put in a PVC pipe with a drain cover to catch excess water. Later you will cover this with a foot or two of rocks. If you have sandy soil, you will want to be sure to temporarily brace the walls if you are not going to put the retaining block or metal surround in the same day. The sand will hold tight for a while, but once it dries it will start collapsing into your hole. Be sure to cover the hole with boards and a tarp if leaving it for a few days.

Cutting the window opening
Measure out the dimensions draw a thick black line where you will cut to help guide you. If you use a chalk line it will get covered in dust. Be sure your measurements include the wood frame for your window opening. Try to line up your one side of your window with a brick line. You can rent a heavy duty concrete saw with a diamond blade. This might make your job a lot easier, but they are a bit bulky and working in a small window well can be difficult. I just took my regular circular saw and purchased a $30 diamond blade and scored the block about 2 inches deep on both sides of the wall. (Don’t waste your time with a cheap blade!)Then I broke the concrete block out with the heaviest sledge hammer I could buy. If you see an area not making a clean break, cut it more with the saw.

Installing the window

Clean up any jagged edges with a chisel and hammer. Build a frame with treated lumber where it touches the concrete block. Be sure to allow for the gaps that the window manufacturer suggests. Make sure there won’t be anything blocking the window when opened. Be sure to fill in any gaps with caulk between the window and brick. Then apply a waterproofing membrane such as Protecto Wrap that covers the nailing flange to the brick.

Finishing the Egress Window Well

The easiest way to finish your window well is with a metal or plastic U shaped well. You can also use landscaping bricks, landscape timbers or other things to build the well. You just drop this into the hole, attach it to the wall with concrete fasteners and then fill in the dirt around it. Fill the bottom of the egress window with rocks and install a small ladder if your local code requires it.

Install the trim, stain or paint and you are all set and go take some pain medication.

Installing an egress window is fairly straight forward if you plan accordingly. It’s a lot of hard work and be sure to use safety precautions like heavy gloves, goggles and a heavy duty dust mask.

One final gotcha, be sure to pay attention to drainage around the window. If you don’t have gutters you may want to put a small section of gutter on the roof that is over the window. It will fill up with water fast if you don’t do this!