Want To Call Your Beaver Dam Basement a "Living Space" or Rent It Out?
The state of Wisconsin requires an Egress Window in Every Sleeping Room.
If you own an older Wisconsin home with a basement you may have already discovered the need for an Egress Window or two as your family grows and you look into expanding into the basement space. For those of you who don't already know any room in your home, including the basement that somebody sleeps in must have an egress window in order to be legal and code compliant.
This causes a lot of confusion for homeowners who think they have their bases covered with an older egress window only to find out from a home inspection or building inspector that their egress windows don't in fact meet the requirements.
Brad's Construction is a full service home remodeling contractor based out of Mayville, WI. We specialize in egress window installations into basements of both new and older homes throughout Beaver Dam. With a thorough knowledge of the Uniform Dwelling Code in Wisconsin we are able to install egress windows that are safe, practical and meet all building code requirements.
View Our Work!
Digging Alongside Foundation For Egress Window Installation.
There Are Three Basic Requirements For Basement Egress Windows
These items are taken directly from the Wisconsin building codes so it's about as official as information gets.
#1. Egress Window Height
Code 21.03(6)(d)1 and 21.03(6)(d)2 state:
For any window used for exiting, the lowest point of clear opening shall be no more than 60 inches above the floor. If the lowest point of clear opening is more than 46 inches above the floor, a permanent platform or fixture shall be installed such that a flat surface at least 20 inches wide and 9 inches deep is located no more than 46 inches directly below the clear opening.
This is telling you that no egress window can be greater than 60" (inches) from the floor. In an ideal situation the bottom of your egress window should be less than 46" (inches) from the floor. If it is between 46-60" (inches), you need a permanent step. This ensures that anyone can use the egress window in an emergency.
#2. Egress Areaways
In case you are unsure what an "areaway" is it's defined as "A small sunken area allowing access or light and air to basement doors or windows." The areaway is outside the window and must be dug using hand tools or a small exvacator or bobcat.
Codes 21.03(6)(e)1 through 21.03(6)(e)6 state:
- An egress window with any point of clear opening below adjacent grade shall be provided with an areaway in accordance with this section.
- The width of the areaway shall be at least equal to the width of the window.
- The areaway shall be a minimum of 36 inches measured perpendicular from the outer surface of the below-grade wall.
- If the bottom of the areaway is more than 46 inches below adjacent grade or the top of the areaway enclosure, the areaway shall be provided with a ladder or at least one additional step to aid egress. Steps used to comply with this section are exempt from the requirements of s. Comm 21.04.
- Ladders or other steps used to comply with subd. 4. may infringe on the required area of the areaway by a maximum of 6 inches.
- The areaway shall be constructed such that water entering the areaway does not enter the dwelling.
#3. Light and Ventilation
One of the final required items for an egress window to be code compliant is that your egress window must be large enough to provide enough natural light into the room with the egress. An amount equal to or greater than 8% of the floor area of the room must be glazed (another term for window). So if you had a 12ft x 12ft room (120sqft) you would need at least 9.6 square feet of window space.
Egress Windows For Basement Suites in Wisconsin
As you now know in order to consider the basement as a legal "living space" each room that someone sleeps in must have an egress window. The installation of an egress window is fairly straightforward in most situations but should still be completed by a professional contractor. You must dig an areaway outside the home and jackhammer a portion of the foundation to frame in the new egress window. The windows will need to be sized correctly based on the size of the room as in the formula for natural light above.
Why Choose Brad's Construction To Install Your Egress Window?
When you choose Brad's Construction to install an egress window in your Beaver Dam you are partnering with a licensed and insured contractor. We understand the Wisconsin building codes when it comes to single family dwellings and we can make sure your basement egress windows are compliant with code and installed right, the first time.
If you'd like to have an egress window installed into your Beaver Dam home then give us a call or fill out our contact form and someone will get in touch with you shortly to schedule a date and time when we can take a look at your project.
Our Wisconsin Service Area
Dodge County WI
Outagamie County WI
Winnebago County WI
Questions About Egress Window Installations?
An egress window is a type of window installed in specific living spaces, especially basements, that provides an emergency exit route. Unlike standard windows, egress windows are designed to be large enough for a person to escape through or for a rescuer to enter in case of an emergency. These windows are not only functional but also enhance the aesthetic and lighting of your basement space.
Egress windows are important for safety, often required by law in Wisconsin for living spaces below or partially below ground. They provide a vital escape route in emergencies like fires. Additionally, they allow more natural light and fresh air into your basement, making the space more comfortable and livable.
In Mayville, and throughout Wisconsin, egress windows must meet specific size requirements: a minimum opening width of 20 inches, a minimum opening height of 24 inches, and a minimum opening area of 5.7 square feet. The bottom of the window must also be no more than 44 inches from the floor. These regulations ensure that the window is accessible and large enough for a safe exit.
The cost can vary significantly based on factors like the window size, material choice, and the complexity of the installation. On average, homeowners might spend between $3,500 and $6,500. We provide detailed estimates after assessing your specific needs and preferences and the scope of work for your project.
Typically, the installation can be completed in one to two days. However, this timeline can extend if there are unique challenges related to your home's structure or landscaping.
We strive to minimize the impact on your landscaping. Our team takes great care during installation, but some disruption is inevitable. We'll work with you to plan the installation in a way that minimizes any impact.
While there are style options, egress windows must adhere to the safety standards mentioned earlier. Casement, sliding, and double-hung windows are popular choices, provided they meet size and operational requirements.
Yes, they can significantly increase your property's value. They make your basement safer and more appealing, which is a significant advantage when selling your home.
Regular cleaning and occasional checks for smooth operation are usually sufficient. It's important to ensure the window remains easily operable and free from obstructions.
Clear the area around the installation site and ensure easy access to your basement. We'll handle the rest, including any necessary protective measures for your home.
Older homes may require additional structural support or customized solutions. We're experienced in handling these unique challenges and will assess your home thoroughly before beginning the installation.
Our installations include features like easy-to-operate latches, clear opening pathways, and durable, weather-resistant materials to ensure long-term safety and functionality.
Absolutely! We offer a variety of styles, colors, and materials to complement your home's existing design.
We offer a comprehensive warranty covering material defects from the manufacturer and the installation quality. Specific details will be provided in your installation agreement.
You can schedule an installation or consultation by contacting us via phone, email, or our website. We'll discuss your needs, provide a detailed estimate, and plan the installation at your convenience.
What Our Customers Say...
I hired Brad's to add on to my existing composite deck. I removed my hot tub and wanted to extend the deck to fill the area. Justin and Taylor came up with some great options to tie in the new deck portion with the older, weathered deck. They were very informative and stayed on top of communication during the entire process. Even though my project was a fairly small one, they treated it like it was the most important job. I would highly recommend consulting with Brad's if you were looking to have some work done.
We had a garage fire & they came to rescue! We decided to add to the garage instead of replacing the shed that burned & Brad's did a great job with the project. The customer service was great also, communicating with us to keep us in the loop of when inspections were needed & days they weren't able to be here. We are so glad to have a garage back before the snow really starts to fly.
When it came time to replace our roof it was a real pleasure dealing with Brad and Taylor. Communication was terrific and they were quick to respond to any questions that we had. The crew did a great job with the installation and we've received several compliments from friends and neighbors on the finished project. We recommend that you give them a call and talk about your next project.
We hired Brad's Construction to redo our roof a few months ago and we couldn't be more pleased. He was prompt in every way and our roof was done perfectly. They were able to get it done in a day, and left behind no mess in our driveway. We would recommend them to everyone, and would definitely hire them again.
They did a great job, we just had a fire and they came out to tarp the roof, before the storms hit. They went above and beyond what was asked or expected.
Very professional and detailed. Solved our leak problem. Highly recommend.
I would highly recommend Brad’s Construction. His team installed a composite deck with new railings for me. They were friendly, professional, hard working and did an awesome job. They explained all of my options, gave their recommendations and performed the work expertly. I could not be happier and will definitely hire them for future projects.
I contacted Brad's construction to replace the shingles on my house and garage. My street was being redone at the same time I was planning but they were very patient with me and answered any questions I had. They finished within 2 days of the start date and cleaned up very well. Would never know they came! I'm very impressed with my roof and would highly recommend these guys to anybody looking to get their roof done. Highly professional and competitive pricing!
We had brad’s construction install a basement egress window for us. The whole process from start to finish went awesome. Brad is super friendly, knowledgeable, and a excellent craftsman. They did an excellent job cleaning up daily and took every precaution to leaving our yard and home looking better than they arrived. Most of all the window looks absolutely terrific. I couldn’t be happier with the choice we made to have brad’s construction do this project. I would recommend to anyone!!
Brad and Taylor were professional in their quote process right through installation of our new roof. The crew arrived on time as promised, were friendly, cleaned up each day as if they were never here. Project was finished in two days for a complete tear-off and shingle replacement. They even worked a ten hour day on a Sunday to finish after a rainy week. Highly recommend this business!
I had a great experience with Brad, his son, Taylor, and their team ripping out our aging organic shingles and replacing it Owens Corning singles. They showed up ready to work when they promised; and always called or sent a text to let us know if they would be late. Brad and his team not only went above and beyond with the quality of their work but made recommendations based on their experience. When they removed the old shingles, they uncovered some areas that needed re-decking. They repaired the decking and did not raise the quoted price even after finding a few issues. Not only did they beat the estimated timeline provided but beat EVERY quote around us. They were able to deliver a finished product that exceeded beyond our expectations. Great service, best pricing, local, responsive and dependable! Very professional!
Replace roof shingles. Crew was very polite and professional. Highly recommend, as they were on time, and clean up was immaculate.