How To Install A Basement Egress Window

Download Commodity

Download Article

When renovating your basement to utilise every bit an office, bedroom, or other living space, you are required by law to install an egress window to human activity every bit an escape route in case of an emergency. The codes and exact requirements for you're egress window vary depending on the expanse you live in, and so make sure you know exactly what they are before you lot start edifice. You will need some skill and prior experience with renovations, carpentry, and construction to exercise this project yourself.

1. 1

   Decide how big your egress window needs to exist. Requirements vary based on where yous live, and then look upward local codes on the subject. It volition likely need to be about half dozen sq ft (0.56 mⁱⁱ) big, and the lesser of the window opening will demand to be no more 44 in (110 cm) off the floor.

   • Non all basement rooms legally need an egress window. However, basement bedrooms are non allowed without i.
   • Bank check if you lot need any building permits to go started besides, and follow the procedures to get them.^[1] At the very to the lowest degree, you will probably need to get inspection and clearance from the local utility companies to start digging so that y'all don't harm any buried utility lines.^[2]

2. 2

   Dig an oversized window well outside where you volition add the window. It needs to exist at least 36 in (91 cm) broad and extend 36 in (91 cm) out from where the window volition go. It volition also need to be no more than than 44 in (110 cm) deep.^[3]

   • Dig the pigsty about 6 in (15 cm) deeper than where the bottom of the window will be, or every bit close as you can go without going past 44 in (110 cm) deep. This will allow for a window ledge.
   • If you have a deep basement that forces you to dig the window well deeper than 44 in (110 cm), so most codes volition withal let y'all to install the window as long as you put some sort of ladder or steps in the window well to provide access.

   Warning

   Make certain there are no buried utilities, such equally electric wires or pipes, before you kickoff excavation. You lot may need to get clearance from the city utility companies before starting the work.

   Advertizing

3. 3

   Measure and marker your cut on the inside wall of your basement. Use a measuring record to measure the outline of the window according to the dimensions you adamant. Mark each side with a grease pencil and a straight edge.^[four]

   • Make sure you lot exit nearly 6 in (xv cm) of header infinite betwixt the pinnacle of the window and the flooring joists if you are placing it perpendicular to the joists. This way the floor joist still have role of the wall to rest on.
   • If y'all don't have a grease pencil, you tin can use masking tape as an alternative to marking the outline of the window.

4. four

   Drill a pilot pigsty in the center of the bottom cut line. Use a drill scrap for physical that is long enough to go through the wall.^[5] Make certain the drill is perfectly level when it penetrates the wall.^[6]

   • Yous will use the pilot hole as a reference point on the outside to mark the window. This is why you need to drill completely level.

5. 5

   Measure and mark the cut on the exterior. Use the pilot hole as a reference betoken to measure the bottom line of the window first and mark it with your grease pencil. Measure and marking the sides and the meridian of the window.^[7]

   • Use a level and a straightedge to check your markings and brand sure they are completely level.

Advertisement

1. ane

   Build a support frame if the window will exist perpendicular to the floor joists. Construct a temporary support frame out of 2-by-4s about 3 ft (0.91 g) dorsum from the basement wall. Align the studs directly underneath the joists and spiral the top plate to the joists.^[8]

   • The frame will need to be at least as wide every bit the window, so that you will take 1 stud of the frame under each joist that runs higher up the window. Make it wider if you take the room so that there is added support.

2. 2

   Hang plastic sheeting forth the frame to contain dust. Apply 6-mil plastic sheeting to confine dust within the surface area you will be cutting.^[9] Use a staple gun to secure information technology forth the temporary frame and to the joists in the ceiling.^[10]

   • Use a plastic sheet that is at least 8–9 ft (two.iv–ii.7 thou) feet wide to tent a large plenty area and keep all the grit confined in that location.
   • Make slits in the sheeting so y'all can staple it betwixt the joists and create an actress-tight seal.

3. 3

   Cutting a groove around the inside perimeter of the window with a physical saw. ^[11] Use a 14 in (36 cm) physical saw with a diamond blade. Make a offset pass around the perimeter and just cut about ¹⁄₄ – ^one⁄₂  in (0.64–1.27 cm) deep to create a straight groove that will guide your next, deeper cuts.^[12]

   • You lot can rent a physical saw. Renting a diamond blade is also recommended.
   • Clothing hearing and eye protection, a dust mask, and gloves when operating the saw.

   Alert

   If your wall is solid concrete, it is recommended that you hire a professional person to make the cuts for you. Doing it yourself is all-time saved for walls made of concrete blocks.

4. 4

   Cutting halfway through the wall along the groove you created. Make another laissez passer effectually the perimeter of the window, cut deeper, until you lot get approximately halfway through the wall all the fashion around the window. The groove you made will guide your cutting so you can focus on applying force per unit area to cutting deeper.^[13]

   • Don't worry about whether the cut is exactly halfway through the wall. Yous will exist completing the cut from the other side.

5. 5

   Cut through the other side of the wall in the same fashion. Cutting a straight groove around the outside of the window first. Make a second, deeper laissez passer along the groove until you lot run across your cut from the inside.^[14]

   • Yous can cover the area outside with a tarp where you lot will exist cutting if you desire to keep it clean.

Advertisement

1. i

   Knock out the blocks where the hole will be with a 4 lb (1.8 kg) hammer. Kickoff at the top-center and work carefully around the edges. Be conscientious non to loosen the blocks that will remain in identify.^[15]

   • If there are whatever blocks that are hard to knock out, outset by breaking out the core of the cake and and so pause abroad the rest.

2. two

   Bit the sides of the hole with a brick chisel to smooth them. Tap a brick chisel along the edges with a hammer.^[16] Check that the opening is big enough to fit the window frame and window.^[17]

   • The edges don't demand to exist perfectly smooth. They just need to be polish plenty to comfortably fit the window.

3. 3

   Fill the cores of the bottom blocks with concrete. Stuff newspaper into the blocks commencement to keep the physical from falling down into them. Fill the the blocks with physical, on top of the newspaper, and smooth out the top of the physical with a trowel. Cover the physical with plastic to create a moisture barrier.^[xviii]

   • If y'all don't stuff newspapers into the blocks, you lot will cease upwards using a lot more than concrete than is necessary to fill up the blocks.

4. four

   Put the window frame into place and secure it with nails or screws. Partially drive 3 in (7.6 cm) deck screws into the lesser of the frame and push them into the wet concrete below. Screw the pinnacle of the frame into the ceiling plate or joists. Use concrete screws to anchor the sides of the frame to the concrete walls.^[19]

   • Drive the concrete screws into the mortar joints of the wall (where the blocks meet) to avoid shattering the blocks.

   Tip: You can build a frame to fit yourself with force per unit area treated lumber, or get i premade. Making 1 yourself will ensure a tighter fit.

5. 5

   Apply an exterior caulk around the frame and walls to seal them. Use polyurethane or another blazon of exterior caulk to create a waterproof seal. Squeeze a bead of it in between the window frame and the concrete walls to seal the crack and prevent h2o from getting in.^[20]

   • If there are any gaps wider than ⁱ⁄_iv  in (0.64 cm), then put a foam backer rod in between earlier you apply the caulk.

6. 6

   Remove the temporary back up frame. Information technology is now safe to deconstruct the temporary back up frame you lot congenital. The window frame yous just installed will support the joists.^[21]

   • It'southward easiest to start by unscrewing the frame from the joists. And so yous can lay the frame down and deconstruct the rest of it.

7. 7

   Lift the window into the frame and secure it according to the instructions. Your window will come with installation instructions specific to the window. You will about likely need to screw or nail the metal fins of your window into the frame and caulk around the edges of the window to seal and waterproof information technology.^[22]

   • The installation procedure varies depending on the type of window y'all purchased. Make sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the exact process. For instance, some manufacturers specify that the window must exist nailed, not screwed, into place.

8. eight

   Install a drain pipe in the window well and partially fill the well with gravel. Excavate a hole in the bottom of the window well to install a PVC pipage that connects to the exterior drainage organization of your abode. Cover the base of the window well with about 2 in (5.ane cm) of gravel to facilitate drainage.

   • If your window well happens to exist on a gradient, so you tin but dig a hole for the pipe that leads the h2o downhill away from the egress window, rather than connecting it to the exterior drainage system of your home.

Ad

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to go a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

• Before beginning the project, inspect for ductwork, wiring, and buried utilities that might exist in the area where you lot're working. Get clearance from the city utility companies before you begin the work if necessary.

• If your basement wall is solid concrete, as opposed to physical block, it is recommended that you lot rent a professional to cutting the hole.

Advertisement

Things You'll Demand

• Tape measure out
• Grease pencil
• Spade
• Drill with physical flake

• 2-by-4s
• Plastic sheeting
• Staple gun
• Concrete saw with diamond tip
• Condom goggles
• Dust mask
• Hearing protection

• 4 lb (1.8 kg) hammer
• Brick chisel
• Concrete
• Newspapers
• Plastic sheeting
• Window frame
• Deck screws
• Concrete screws
• Drill
• Outside caulk
• Window

About This Commodity

Commodity Summary X

Egress windows are important escape routes for emergencies, only installing one volition require some intermediate carpentry skills. Before you install the window, you lot'll demand to mark the window measurements on your wall, dig a well outside that extends merely beneath the bottom of where you want your window to be, and build a temporary support frame to agree up the ceiling joints. Then, you'll need to cut the wall area out with a concrete saw and knock out the blocks with a hammer. You should chip the sides of the hole with a chisel to smooth it, and so fill the edges with concrete. Once it'south dry you'll need to construct a wooden window frame, caulk it in place, and lift the window into the frame. To learn how to protect your basement from dust and debris during construction, read on!

Did this summary assist yous?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read lxx,168 times.

Did this commodity help yous?

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-an-Egress-Window

Posted by: whipplemintwoubity.blogspot.com

Share this post