What is an Egress Window?

An egress window is a window that is large enough to allow a person to exit through it in case of an emergency, such as a fire. Egress windows are a crucial part of any finished basement, bedroom, or other living space that may need an emergency escape route. The Pacific Northwest’s building codes require egress windows to meet specific size and placement standards to ensure safety.

• Digging the Well: Our team will dig the necessary well around your existing basement window to ensure there is ample space for a new, larger egress window.
• Cutting the Concrete: We handle the concrete cutting, ensuring that the opening is perfectly sized to meet building code requirements for egress windows. This is a delicate task that we perform with precision to avoid any damage to your home’s foundation.
• Meeting Egress Standards: We adhere to all building codes required for the Pacific Northwest, ensuring your new window complies with both state and local regulations.
• Interior Finishing: Once the installation is complete, we finish the interior of the window with liners and casings to give it a polished, attractive look. This makes your egress window look like a natural part of your home’s design.
• Exterior Options for the Window Well: We offer a variety of exterior options for your egress window well, ensuring that it not only functions well but also enhances your home’s curb appeal. Whether you prefer a standard well, a custom design, or a decorative option, we have choices to suit your style.

Meeting Egress Window Specifications

When installing egress windows, there are specific standards that must be met to ensure safety. Here are the critical requirements for egress windows in the Pacific Northwest:

• Minimum Opening Size: The window must have a clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet. The minimum height must be 24 inches, and the minimum width must be 20 inches. This ensures that an adult can easily exit through the window.
• Maximum Sill Height: The bottom of the window opening (the sill) must not be more than 44 inches from the floor. This allows for easy access and exit in case of an emergency.
• Window Well Depth: The well must be deep enough to provide an exit. The minimum depth should be 36 inches, and the width must be at least 36 inches to allow enough room for someone to climb out easily.
• Escape Ladder: If the well is deeper than 44 inches, an escape ladder or stairs must be installed to make it easier for someone to exit the window in an emergency.

We ensure that every egress window we install is compliant with these safety regulations.

Our Extensive Range of Exterior Well Options

At Clear Choice Windows & Doors, we understand that aesthetics matter just as much as functionality. That’s why we offer a variety of well options to suit the design of your home. We take care of digging the wells and filling the bottom with drain rock but we also have multiple options for the well designs. Whether you prefer a traditional well, a more custom design, or one that complements your home’s landscaping, we have choices to meet your needs. Some popular options include:

• Vinyl or Steel Window Wells: Durable, weather-resistant materials for a classic, long-lasting option.
• Ladder Wells: Includes integrated ladders for easy access out of the window well.
• Wood Wells: Pressure treated wood can be used to create a nice looking well.
• Stone Wells: We offer multiple options for stone looking or real stone wells.
• Custom Well Covers: Decorative, sturdy covers that keep debris out while providing added safety.