Adding Egress Window To Concrete Wall

the catfish

I have been asked to find someone, for a friend, to cut a small basement window into the foundation large enough to build a bedroom in the basement with the window large enough to meet egress. What is the official egress size? and does anyone have any info or experience in adding these outdoor window wells on existing houses? The bottom of this well will be about 3' below finish grade.

woodmagman

Your local building department will tell you what is required for dimensions. I always say bigger is better. We install 36x36 with a 22 inch projection on the window well. The well is made of metal or PT wood with an 8 inch washed rock base. The well has a drain that is tied to the weeping tile. We use only sliders in these locations as they do not prevent egress when opened.

the catfish

mind if I ask the price range for a job like this? St Louis region?

concretemasonry

Select the window first and then determine the size and location of the window.

The requirements are width and height of the opening. There is also a maximum required sill height (finished). This will determine the depth of the well.

A good concrete contractor with the right saw can make short work of cutting the opening. - You will just have to call around for one with the right equipment. With the wrong equipment, you will pay more.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

firemike

you don't say where your from, so this might not be acurate for your area, but if I remember right Michigan requires an egress window for EACH bedroom, but the bedroom one can also service a living space. The window has to have an free open area of 5.7 square feet and minimum width of 20", and the sill can be no higher then 44" from the finished floor. Make sure you check local building and fire codes, this can be a serious liability issue in case something ever does happen.

As others have said, cutting the hole will be no big deal for someone with experiance. If you in a larger city, there may be someone that specializes in concrete/masonry cutting and drilling. Depending on your expertise, you could rent a diamond chain saw system and do it yourself. I have done it a couple times with excellent results.

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theworx

Have had to install quite a few. There might be some added costs on top of just cutting the concrete. Because you're making such a large opening in the house foundation, you may be required to add a beam or some additional support for the joists. Personally have had to add a steel "I beam" on one occasion and have also added angle iron to the concrete wall beside the window opening on a couple other installs. Building inspector required this to be done!!

Thought I'd pass that along!!

RizzoMaryland

http://wellcraftwells.com/

I've installed many of these. These units snap together pretty quickly. Local building department will have specs on size and location of window on wall.

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kevjob

IRc 2003 states that the egress must be in the bedroom for it to be considered a bedroom

max sill height 44 inches window openeing 24x24 well needs to be 5.7 sq ft and if the well is deeper than 44 inches a ladder needs to be attahced if it is within 3 fett of a walkway the well needs to be covered with a grate or the like.

The other issue can be getting to close to the footer and not having frost prtection which here in denver is 4ft .

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

woodmagman

I just had a vision reading this of what it would look like to a piece of chicken that has fallen between the grates of a gas BBQ, if a person was trying to escape a fire.....someone needs to install a ladder in those BBQ's

K2

I've done a bunch of windows in concrete walls and I know that cutting rebar is not something that should be taken lightly. Our walls are generally done with 3 horizontals top and two horizontals on the bottom. No footings. If you cut all the top bars you lose all the tensile strength in the upper part of the wall ie. you could get a big crack.

As I said I have done a bunch of them and i know for sure one foundation has a vertical crack biggger than 1/4 inch. In my opinion if you see you cut some bars, call and engineer and get an engineered repair. Usually it is just some heavy strap steel, 20 ft. or so anchored in over the window.

kevjob

we always use an enginerr and lately on older homes we have to add vertical lintels as well as the horizontal.

__________________
Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

neolitic

Ummm, is the engineer working on a % deal?

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woodmagman

Here is one type that we do on (9 ft. basements) as a 36/60 vertical slider with a small step built into the PT well framing. The cost is between 3500-4500.00

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concretemasonry

Do not take the 44" height as gospel - In some jurisdictions, you may find 42" to the bottom of the opening. It is best to talk to the building inspector about the height of the bottom opening and the window qualifies as an egress window.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

K2

There should be a minimum in front of the window at the bottom of the well. You have to think, fireman with a pack on his back carrying a person. I think our minimum is 3 ft.

Griffino

Almost every contracting supply location from lumber outlets to Lowes and Home Depot are strictly told by management to NOT give code advice to anyone, for good reason! Accept one, window companies. They have all of your local codes on hand and will happily assist you on making an informed window decision. While we can't tell you local codes concerning your area, they should. Now, while I still recommend you talk to your local Muni about any code issues, you'd be suprized how much these guys know about their business.

You should tackle that job like this: Take a picture of what you have, and some measurements down to who you want to handle your window[s]. They will help you plan out your best case senario and build a window to meet egress standards. Then have your buddy cut a hole to fit that particular window. Cake!

RizzoMaryland

That is a step?! Did that pass your local inspection?


Wellcraft wells have built it ladders that can double as planter shelves. It can actually look attractive from inside the house.

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Frank LLoyd Wright

neolitic

We used one of these once.
http://www.bilco.com/foundations/sto...roduct=1WW%2D3
Looked nice, worked out well. (Punny huh?)
If you're under the rim joist--cool.
Under the boxing board, need header/lintel.

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woodmagman

Engineering and permits are required on all structual renovatons.

RizzoMaryland

So did it pass your local inspection?

Doesn't look like much of a step to me. Looks more like something you'd slip off of a couple of times before you figured a quicker/safer way of getting out.
(I'm thinking children and older folks)

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