Egress Systems

Define the Window Size

An egress window needs to have a minimum opening width of 20 inches and a minimum opening height of 24 inches. It also needs to have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet.

What is Egress? (PDF)

Aside from meeting escape requirements, your window also needs to be able to provide your basement with adequate natural light. It is advisable to check your locate municipal code requirements. For example, Wisconsin (SPS 321.05 Natural Light) code requires basement bedrooms to have a glass opening of at least 8% of the total room’s square footage. This code may require a larger glass area than the typically required egress code compliant window.

It’s important for your egress windows to be convenient and easy to open and close if they are to serve their purpose as an escape route. SPC’s Tilt N Turn windows easily open with one hand and a quick twist of the handle.

Basement windows should be designed to withstand regular exposure to water and moisture. Choose windows made from materials that won't rot or degrade.

Pros and Cons of Window Styles (PDF)

More on SPC Tilt N Turn Egress Windows

Right Size Your Egress Well

Ordering the correct egress well width and height is critical to a successful installation.

Buying an egress well of the wrong width can result in the need to stretch or compress the flanges to fit the installation. This can compromise well strength integrity and increase the chance for well failure.

Installing an egress well too short will leave an installer without the necessary depth for fill rock (required for strength). Adequate height is necessary to allow for landscape grading, mitigating water runoff.

Measure Egress Well Width

• Define the window width that will be installed
• Take note of the window opening style. Windows that swing out into the well will require a larger window well space.
• Wells should have 3” on each size of your window.

Measure Egress Well Height

• The top of the window well should extend a minimum of 2” above the established grade line
• The base of the well should be at least 12” below the windowsill
• Casement Outswing Windows*: Note whether the outswing is above the well rim height. Outswing windows that are higher than the mounted window well rim will interfere with the installation of a Safe-T-View Cover

SPC Egress Well Dimensions (PDF)

Learn More About Egress Wells

Ladder Required By Code

Building code requires the installation of an egress ladder for window wells deeper than 44”. Two of SPC ladder styles are designed to fit our egress window wells.

Life-Step™ Ladder

• Works best with Inswing and Slider Style windows
• Hangs on the front or side of the window well

Corner-Step™ Ladder

• Hangs in the corner of the well
• Provides space for outswing windows

Learn More About Ladders

Cover Required For Safety

Safe-T-View Covers™ are built to be strong while allowing in light. Our covers are vented and designed with a slope  for water drainage. Built to overhang 2 1/2 inches on each side of the well and 2 inches on front of the well for additional coverage from the elements.

Learn More About Covers