The Benefits of Egress Windows and Why You Need One

Have you ever wondered what those wells are on the outside of homes? These are actually the linings around an egress window on the perimeter of a home giving access to the home’s basement.

Modern building codes often require the installation of egress windows, but existing homes originally constructed without egress windows benefit greatly from adding them later and may even be required for major remodeling projects.

Make the Most of Your Extra Space

When finishing or renovating a basement, the extra usable space is one of the best ways to add value to the home. Basements can be used for man caves, space for kids to play away from the other living areas, or extra guest bedrooms.

As homeowners make use of their basement, safety should be the highest priority, and this is one area where egress windows come into play. An egress window provides an extra exit for those in the home and an adequate entrance for first responders in case of an emergency.

Aside from providing a secondary exit, egress windows also add more natural light, which provides even more benefits. Along with the natural light itself, an egress window leads to higher quality of the air in a basement.

Basements are notorious for breeding contaminants. However, mold and mildew are less likely to grow in a basement that is well lit with natural light and well ventilated. This means being less susceptible to illness caused by impurities in the air that would otherwise thrive in a basement.

Egress Windows Add Value and Improve Aesthetics

Older homes may have windows that allow for some natural light, but most of them are too small for people to fit through. This is why it is so important for existing homes with basements to be upfitted with new egress windows from a professional installer like those at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing.

Adding an egress window to an existing home is also a great way to add some landscaping features around the perimeter of the home. Not only will the egress window make your basement a safer, more inviting, and useable space, but it will also provide an opportunity to improve the landscaping around the perimeter of your home.

For more information on installing egress windows for your home’s basement, call Tom’s Basement Waterproofing at 586-949-7826 or get in touch online today!