When it comes to safety requirements in a house, particularly in the basements and bedrooms, it is important to include an emergency exit window in case of emergencies. This is where an egress window comes in handy. So what is an egress window? Read on to learn more about what these windows are, the installation process, and the benefits of installing an egress window in your home.

If you are looking for egress window installation or repair in the St. Louis area, Cornerstone Structural Repair & Waterproofing can help. We are a foundation repair and basement waterproofing company located in the St. Louis area, providing egress window installation and waterproofing solutions to residential and commercial buildings for over 70 years. For more information on our egress window installation services, contact us online or by phone at 314-262-6277.

Developing a Basic Understanding of What Is an Egress Window

What is an egress window? An egress window is specifically designed for safe exits in case of emergencies like fire. They are installed in bedrooms and basements. These windows must be of a certain minimum size and type to meet the local building code requirements. In the US, many regions mandate the installation of egress windows in residential and commercial windows. In addition to providing a safe exit, egress windows offer other benefits like improving ventilation and enhancing natural light in basements.

Key Features of an Egress Window

Here are some of the key features of an egress window:

The egress windows come without keys or other tools. This means they can be easily opened in case of emergency. The main purpose of designing an egress window is to escape easily without applying too much force to open the window.
They are built with large openings so that a person can escape easily during an emergency. A typical egress window has a minimum height of 24 inches and a width of 20 inches, making it large enough for a person to exit or emergency personnel to gain access to a space.
An egress window sill is no more than 44 inches from the floor, ensuring easy access for a person during an emergency, such as a fire.

What is the Egress Window Installation Process?

Here are the key steps involved in the installation of an egress window:

A contractor visits your home and evaluates the basement to determine what is the ideal place to install the egress window.
Next, the contractor will make some modifications to install the egress window. The modification includes cutting through the foundation walls to fit the egress window.
After the modifications are done, the contractor makes sure to secure the window from water. In this regard, the contract ensures the area surrounding the window is properly drained.
Finally, the installation process begins. The window is fitted and sealed into the wall.

What Are the Benefits of Installing an Egress Window?

When considering what an egress window is, it is important to look at the benefits offered. Here are some of the benefits of installing an egress window:

The main benefit of an egress window is that it provides a safe exit in case of emergencies like a fire.
These windows also improve natural light and ventilation in the basement, making the basement more livable.
Installing an egress window increases the resale value of your home.

Contact Us Today for Egress Window Installation in St. Louis

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced company for egress window installation, look no further than Cornerstone Structural Repair & Waterproofing. For more information on our services or to request a quote for egress window installation and basement waterproofing services, contact us today.

Crown Beacon Property Solutions

recommends

Dale and the guys did a fantastic job. We had a significant wall lean, and they made the repair look easy. They walked us through the permit and inspection processes. Their work is quality, and they are easy to work with. Highly recommended.

Adam Hughes

recommends

My experience with Cornerstone was a few years ago. I had a sump pump completely replaced, an entire basement wall braced and an outside (garage) wall piered. I have not had a problem since the work was done. The workers and the owner, Dale, were at my home when they said they would be. I am pleased with the work that was done and found Dale to be a man of his word. I would not hesitate to recommend Cornerstone.

Shannon Cornine Norman

recommends

Dale was responsive and moved quickly to meet the deadline we were working from. He was patient and answered so many questions we had, even after the job was done. Highly recommend!

Amanda Moore

recommends

they fixed my mess of a wall that was caving in in my basement and they are friendly quick and overall just great 100% recommended them to all

Geralyn Ulicny Kogelman

recommends

We were getting ready to close on our house and 1 week before closing a heavy rain came and we had water in our laundry room in the basement. Dale and his crew came out the next day and got started on fixing the issue. They were fantastic and very detailed in explaining what they were going to do. Had it done in their time frame and cleaned everything up. Very professional and excellent service.

Garrett Schmidt

recommends

Quality work from quality folks. I called on a Friday afternoon to get a quote for poly jacking our sidewalk. They came out on a Saturday morning to take a look and got us on their schedule. Quite happy with how the fix looks as well!

Margaret Kathleen

recommends

Dale and his staff- Rob and Scott, did an excellent job repairing basement cracks for me . They were able to hurry and accommodate the new construction i have going in there. The price was reasonable. Dale and his staff were kind and professional! Would recommend in a minute!

Stephanie Miller

recommends

After the huge flood, we had July 26, 2022. I finally decided I’d had enough with the flooding issue and contracted Cornerstone Structural Repair & Waterproofing to knock out my sliding glass door in my basement and cement the opening to form a solid concrete barrier. I am very satisfied with the end results!! Dale and his workers did a great job, very respectful of the property, very friendly and professional, and cleaned up after the work was completed. It has already come in handy after 27 years of dealing with flooding in my basement and replacing numerous appliances. I can be at peace now not having to worry every time we have a torrential downpour. Please see attached photos of the 2022 flood and the flood event this year in April. Kudos to Dale and his team!!!! 😁

Joe Fleetwood

recommends

Dale and his guys were amazing to work with! The price was fair and the work was excellent quality. The crew took time to explain exactly what they were doing. If your looking for waterproofing or structural repairs dale is the goto guy!

Jared Opsal

recommends

They did an excellent job for our new sump pump system as well as addressing a bowing wall. They were friendly and cleaned up their job site well each day.