Minimum Basement Window Size

Significance

• Besides providing light and fresh air, basement windows allow people to get out of the basement in case of a fire without having to go up the stairs and through a door or first floor window. The windows must open from the inside out.

Considerations

• The windows have to be at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches tall and the bottom sill can be no more than 44 inches above the floor. The net size of the window has to provide 5.7 square feet of opening. If window wells are present, any well over 44 inches tall needs to have a ladder at least 12 inches wide and long enough to reach the ground above the well.

Warning

• Many people do not open basement windows often, which could create sticking or swelling. It is a good idea to open the windows in the basement once a month or quarter to make sure that the windows are fully functional.