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#1
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Hello,
My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? and, 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? Thanks, chuck |
#2
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Egress windows are for throwing out the egrets, you dont want them
around. |
#3
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An "egress window" is a window that meets certain requirements: no more
than x inches above floor level, minimum of y sq. ft. opening, etc., etc. Your local Building Dept. can tell you what your municipality's specific rules are, but you can probably find the general rules with a Google search for "egress window". Unless you want to have a super-size window well to allow for complete opening of a casement window, a sliding window is probably going to be best. MB On 03/19/04 09:17 pm charlie hagen put fingers to keyboard and launched the following message into cyberspace: My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? and, 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? |
#4
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![]() "charlie hagen" wrote in message .net... Hello, My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? and, 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? Egress window, as the name implies, means you should be able to egress the space through the window. Most regular windows don't open a big enough hole for that, so egress windows are usually tall horizontal sliders. But they don't have to be. Any window that provides a big enough hole for an adult to step through would probably pass code. Think 2/3 scale sliding door. Your local code office can provide the exact dimensions. And since it is installled below grade, you want a rot-proof frame. The hardest parts will be cutting the hole in the basement wall bigger, and providing the stepup or platform inside, and the enlarged (preferably stepped) window well outside. The big-box place is probably the wrong place to go for advice. The local precast concrete place that sells pre-made window-well boxes, or the concrete sawing company that you will want to make the hole bigger and redo the lintel above, can both probably hook you up with a brand name and part number to order, and tell you what local inspectors like to see. If you have never done concrete work, I'd hire the whole window mod out, personally. Experience and the right tools make a big difference. And if your yard is big enough to spare the space, and you are digging holes anyway, I'd dig one deep enough for an actual exterior door to the basement, and a long window well to add several daylight windows. Natural light makes a basement a lot more inviting. aem sends... |
#5
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wrote
Egress windows are for throwing out the egrets, you dont want them around. Now, if we could only install a pansy window so you could fly out....... |
#6
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On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 02:17:11 GMT, "charlie hagen"
wrote: Hello, My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. Egress windows will open to provide a clear space of a specified height and width for exit by a person. Check your building code for the required size, and any decent window shop in your area will be able to show you everything you need to know. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? Yes, one that specifically meets your code. I's a required life safety code item. 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? Building department and window store. Jeff |
#7
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"charlie hagen" wrote in message k.net...
Hello, My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? and, 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? Thanks, chuck There are several "model codes", and you do have to check with your local building official to confirm local requirements. Here are sections from the International Residential Code ( IRC ) 2000 which should give at least a good idea of the code issues involved. Section R310 Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings. R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue. Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with section R310.3. the net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window or door opening from the inside. Escape and rescue window openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches. R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. R310.1.4 Operational constraints. emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. R310.2 Window wells. Window wells required for emergency escape and rescue shall have horizontal dimensions that allow the door or window of the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window well shall provide a minimum net clear area of 9 square feet with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section R310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches into the required dimensions of the window well. R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches below the adjacent ground level 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 Sections R314 and R315. 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. R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also com;y with Section R314.9. R310.4 Bars, grills, covers and screens. 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 Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, 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. |
#8
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Hello,
I am considering putting in a basement bedroom which requires a larger window. Does it make financial sense to do this? Will I ever see return on the expense? Mike ![]() "Tom Baker" wrote in message om... "charlie hagen" wrote in message k.net... Hello, My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? and, 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? Thanks, chuck There are several "model codes", and you do have to check with your local building official to confirm local requirements. Here are sections from the International Residential Code ( IRC ) 2000 which should give at least a good idea of the code issues involved. Section R310 Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings. R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue. Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with section R310.3. the net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window or door opening from the inside. Escape and rescue window openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches. R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. R310.1.4 Operational constraints. emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. R310.2 Window wells. Window wells required for emergency escape and rescue shall have horizontal dimensions that allow the door or window of the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window well shall provide a minimum net clear area of 9 square feet with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section R310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches into the required dimensions of the window well. R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches below the adjacent ground level 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 Sections R314 and R315. 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. R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also com;y with Section R314.9. R310.4 Bars, grills, covers and screens. 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 Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, 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. |
#9
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I think it will. When adding the egress you turn the basement into "livable
space" and thus can be claimed as square footage when reselling the house. Tim "Michael" wrote in message ... Hello, I am considering putting in a basement bedroom which requires a larger window. Does it make financial sense to do this? Will I ever see return on the expense? Mike ![]() "Tom Baker" wrote in message om... "charlie hagen" wrote in message k.net... Hello, My wife is having me look into finishing our basement. One thing she wants is a guest room. The basement windows that exist now are way too small and I'm checking out egress windows. So, having no experience replacing windows, but lots of experience do-it-myselfing, I have a couple of questions: 1. what's the diff between the 'egress windows' I read about in basement remodeling articles/books and regular casement windows? I'm not finding much information at the local mega-home-improvement-shop. 2. Should I be looking for anything special in selecting a window for this purpose? and, 3. Any recomendations from the general viewing audience? Thanks, chuck There are several "model codes", and you do have to check with your local building official to confirm local requirements. Here are sections from the International Residential Code ( IRC ) 2000 which should give at least a good idea of the code issues involved. Section R310 Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings. R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue. Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with section R310.3. the net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window or door opening from the inside. Escape and rescue window openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches. R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. R310.1.4 Operational constraints. emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. R310.2 Window wells. Window wells required for emergency escape and rescue shall have horizontal dimensions that allow the door or window of the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window well shall provide a minimum net clear area of 9 square feet with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section R310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches into the required dimensions of the window well. R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches below the adjacent ground level 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 Sections R314 and R315. 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. R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also com;y with Section R314.9. R310.4 Bars, grills, covers and screens. 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 Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, 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. |
#10
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On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 22:29:17 GMT, Tim Scott wrote:
I think it will. When adding the egress you turn the basement into "livable space" and thus can be claimed as square footage when reselling the house. Uh, no. Around here in Upstate NY, at least, below-grade space is not counted, even if it's code-compliant and inspected, as is mine. And that's according to both my local building office and the realtors. At best you can advertise it as having a "finished basement". - Rich |
#11
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![]() "user" wrote in message ... On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 22:29:17 GMT, Tim Scott wrote: I think it will. When adding the egress you turn the basement into "livable space" and thus can be claimed as square footage when reselling the house. Uh, no. Around here in Upstate NY, at least, below-grade space is not counted, even if it's code-compliant and inspected, as is mine. And that's according to both my local building office and the realtors. At best you can advertise it as having a "finished basement". - Rich Just a suggestion: Install a window that has good safety features. We didn't and those are the windows that freak me out the most. Someone could just hop down into them and take their time breaking in. I've since taken care of it but wish I'd invested better. It depends on the local code, but everyone knows even if code prohibits listing below-grade space in the sq footage, your resell value will be higher with a finished basement than without. Here, to be able to be listed as a bedroom, a room must have its own closet, a closeable door, four or more walls and an egress window. There are also dimensional requirements...sq ft minimums and ceiling height. Interestingly, all that's required for a space to be listed as a bathroom here is that it have a toilet in it. I recently saw the smallest "bathroom" in the world! Remember the toilets in kindergarten? Smaller than that. |
#12
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Interestingly, all that's required for a space to be listed as a bathroom
here is that it have a toilet in it. I recently saw the smallest "bathroom" in the world! Remember the toilets in kindergarten? Smaller than that. And now there's a new japanese toilet with a built-in sink on the cistern, so you only need the one unit. You can stuff the whole thing into a 28" x 40" closet.. |
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