When to Have an Egress Window

When You Have a Basement Bedroom

• If you have a basement bedroom where someone in your family plans to sleep, you should have an egress window installed. Basement bedrooms are occupied for hours at a time, making it more likely that someone will be in the basement if an emergency arises. Nighttime disasters also tend to catch residents off guard, giving them less time to respond. Even if your basement bedroom is expected to get only occasional use, installing an egress window ensures that it's safe for use.

When Required By Law

• Egress window requirements are part of many local building codes, which means your home will be in violation if it meets certain conditions but doesn't have an egress window. Basement bedrooms almost always require homes to have egress windows. Other types of living space in the basement also might be enough to make an egress window a legal requirement. Your builder or the contractor handling your renovation can explain the applicable building codes.

When Your Basement Gets Heavy Use

• Even if your basement doesn't put you into the category of needing an egress window for legal compliance, if your basement gets heavy use, an escape option is a good idea. Basement living rooms, media rooms and workshops are all reasons to spend time in the basement, increasing the chances of being there if a fire or accident occurs.

When You're Uncertain

• Adding an egress window after your home is built is a complicated process that involves altering the foundation and hiring a professional to perform the installation. If you're not sure whether your home should have an egress window, err on the side of caution by installing one in the largest room of the basement. This gives you the option of adding a bedroom in the future without violating building codes or needing to go through the process of adding a window when it's more difficult to do so.