What Types of Egress Windows Are Available?
Egress windows, often overlooked in the grand scheme of home design, are a crucial element for both safety and comfort, particularly when it comes to basements. These windows serve as an emergency exit route and provide natural light and ventilation for basements, making them a fundamental aspect of home improvement. However, not all egress windows are the same. Here, we explore different types of egress windows available for installation in your home, shedding light on their strengths and weaknesses to help you select the window that suits your needs.
Egress Windows: A Brief Introduction
Egress windows are not just ordinary windows. They are designed to meet specific size and usability requirements, ensuring they provide a safe escape route in an emergency, such as a fire or other unforeseen event. Building codes require egress windows in any space used for living, and they must have a minimum clear opening width and height to meet code standards so that an adult can quickly exit through the window if needed. Because of their purpose, they also must be able to be opened easily from the inside so that even a child can exit. In addition to window size, building codes also require that they be designed so that a person using the window can easily access the ground. Typically, this means that a basement egress window will need a window well with a ladder or steps.
Given these parameters, here are some of the different types of egress windows you can install in your basement:
- Sliding Window
Sliding windows are a popular choice for egress. They usually consist of dual panes of glass, with one or both being able to slide along a track at the top and bottom of the window frame. Sliding windows eliminate the need for additional clearance required for a swinging sash. However, their weakness is that, due to only one side being open at a time, the clear opening is smaller than the size of the window opening. To meet egress standards, sliding windows must be twice as large as the minimum egress dimensions, which can result in added installment costs for creating the window opening and window well.
- Single-Hung Window
Single-hung windows are vertically sliding windows where the bottom pane slides upward. They share a similar advantage with sliding windows in that they lack hinges, eliminating the need for extra clearance. However, like sliding windows, they must be relatively large to meet egress standards, and their vertical orientation can pose difficulties in basement installations.
- Double-Hung Window
Double-hung windows are similar to single-hung windows but allow both the top and bottom panes to move. However, only one half can be fully open at a time, maintaining the space issue faced by single-hung and sliding windows.
- Out-Swinging Casement Window
Out-swinging casement egress windows swing outward from the house, offering a larger clear opening relative to the frame size. However, their out-swinging nature means you may need extra space in the window well to allow for an escape route, particularly if placed in a basement.
- In-Swinging Casement Window
In-swinging casement windows are a top recommendation for egress. They maximize the clear opening dimensions relative to the frame size and do not obstruct the escape route, making them suitable for most egress projects. However, it means the interior space must be clear of obstructions, such as a wall. It also means that you should not store any items that could obstruct the inside space of the window.
- Awning Window
Awning windows are top-hinged, out-swinging windows. They can offer a clear opening that is not significantly smaller than the full frame size, making them suitable for basements or tight spaces. However, their out-swinging nature might require an extended window well so that a person who escapes can let the window swing shut to allow egress from the window well.
- Reverse Hopper Window
Reverse hopper windows are top-hinged windows with the sash swinging inward. They provide a large, clear opening relative to the frame size and do not obstruct the exit into the window well. However, a lack of clearance might limit their full opening in some cases.
- Tilt-and-Turn Window
Tilt-and-turn windows are European-style windows with dual functions: they can tilt open from the top or turn in from the side. For egress, the turning function is crucial. Like side-hinge windows, they offer a sizable clear opening relative to the frame size and swing inward. However, they can be more expensive and require careful consideration of clearance for the swinging sash.
The choice of egress window style depends on your specific needs and the location and design of the window in your basement space. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, and you should do a careful assessment of what type will work best for you.
At 509 Concrete Cutting and Egress Windows, we specialize in the turnkey installation of egress windows in basement spaces. We carry a stock of various types of egress windows from which you can select, so you won’t have to worry about window lead times when installing your egress window. We pride ourselves on doing jobs efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to your home regarding turnaround time and mess.
If you want to install an egress window in your basement or other code-non-conforming space, contact 509 Concrete and Egress Window today.
