Basement Egress Windows

What makes a window an Egress Window?

Not all windows are created equal.  Especially in basements.  Many people look at their regular basement windows and assume that they are egress windows.  99% of the time they are mistaken.  A basement egress window has specific requirements that must be met in order to officially qualify as an Egress Window.

Code Requirements for Egress Windows

There are a few main code requirements that must be met in order to qualify as an egress window.


  • An egress window opening must be no less than 20” wide.
  • An egress window opening must be no less than 24” tall
  • An egress window must have a clear opening of no less than 5.7 sq ft. 

(NOTE: 20”x24” only comes out to 3.33 sq ft, so in order to achieve the required 5.7 sq ft at least one of those measurements MUST be bigger to meet code)

  • The bottom of any egress window opening must not be higher than 44” off the floor.
  • Any egress window must open into an outdoor area with a clear path to escape the property.  (An egress window may NOT open into a closed courtyard or garage)
  • For egress windows that are below grade, an egress window well is required.  The well has it’s own code specifications in addition to the window specifications.
  • Any egress window well must be at least 36” wide.
  • Any egress window well must project at least 36” from the foundation wall.
  • Any egress window well must have a minimum of 9 sq ft of unobstructed space.
  • Any egress window well that is more than 44” deep must have a ladder or steps built into the design.

Other Important Considerations for Quality Egress Window Installations

It is important to remember that meeting code is very important, but the IRC code is only the MINIMUM STANDARD  that must be met.  At Worthington Foundation Authority, we do not believe the minimum is good enough.  Because of that, there are several areas where we go above and beyond the minimum to provide you with an exceptional Basement Egress Window.


  1. Window Type:  There are 3 main types of egress windows that are allowed by code.  Slider windows, Inswing Windows, and Casement Windows.  While code may say they are all acceptable, WE DO NOT.  In our professional opinion, Casement Windows ARE NOT SAFE for use as an egress.  Therefore we WILL NOT install them.  There are 2 main reasons why we believe they are not safe.   Reason one is that when not used for an extended time, the cranks begin to stick and become very difficult for even a grown adult to open.  They become almost impossible for a child to open.  Reason two is that since they open outwards, if anything were to fall in the well (like a basketball, skateboard, large stick, etc) - it could prevent the window from opening enough to allow for escape in an emergency.  Slider and Inswing windows do not have these same problems, and therefore are safer in our opinion.  If you are dead set on getting a casement window, we are not the company for you.
  2. Window Size:  While ALL of our Egress windows have an opening of at least 5.7 sq ft, we also offer larger models with an even larger opening.  Including our European Double Tilt-n-Turn windows with an opening almost DOUBLE the code minimum!
  3. Well Size:  We offer a variety of well choices, but our most popular model is the Rockwell Elite Egress Window Well.   It is 66” wide, and projects 44” from the foundation.  Much larger than the minimum, allowing for easier escape during an emergency.
  4. Waterproofing & Drainage:  The IRC code does not care if your window leaks or if you get water into your basement as a result of installing an egress window.  BUT WE DO! That is why we incorporate waterproofing and drainage into every egress design!  We waterproof the exterior walls in the excavated area, and provide active drainage to carry water away from the well and foundation - most often by means of an exterior sump pump.  Most of our competitors feed a drain into the existing footer drain.  They do not realize (or they do not care) that most existing footer drains have collapsed over time, and the ones that haven’t normally do not lead anywhere, so water backs up through those drains when they get full.  That means your drain could actually be bringing water TOWARDS your window rather than away from it.
  5. Backfill:  Most of our competitors backfill the window well with the same soil that they took out.  The problem with that is doing it that way will void the manufacturer’s warranty for most window well brands.  Why would that be?  Because when soil gets wet, and then freezes in the winter time, it expands…as much as 20% beyond its original volume.  Most egress wells are not strong enough to handle the force of that expansion, and will either collapse inwards, or even get ripped off the foundation wall.   We do things different.  We install 2 TONS of gravel in the bottom of the well, and around the outer perimeter of the well, at least 12” wide.  This does two things.  First, it gives water a path to move towards our drainage system rather than sit in the soil and saturate it.  Second, gravel is 40% open space, so it is compactable.  The gravel acts like a shock absorber and prevents expanding soil from damaging the window well.   


Along with our experience, and certifications….these 5 areas are what really sets up apart from the competition.