I'm in the process of finishing a basement apartment with two bedrooms, but I've hit a snag with the egress requirements. The windows in each bedroom are 57 inches high, which is above the maximum allowed height of 44 inches for egress windows. I'm nearing inspection time, and while I've found tons of info online about code requirements, I'm at a loss about what to do when your windows are already too high. My house was built in 2011, so it's not an old structure, and the windows are large enough to meet size requirements. One window even has an HVAC vent directly below it, so a permanent step isn't an option. Cutting into the foundation to lower the windows seems extreme, so I'm hoping there are other solutions out there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Unfortunately, most building inspectors are pretty strict about the egress sill height, and I've yet to see a workaround that they accept. It's usually a hard requirement that the sill be no higher than 44 inches.
You've got a few options: you can lower the window, raise the floor, or even consider adding an exterior staircase along with a second door in each bedroom. Given the height of your windows, they might not meet the egress requirements as they stand.
Just to clarify, the square footage of your existing windows sounds fine for egress, but the height is still a hurdle. Why not see if you can extend your HVAC to accommodate a new step instead of cutting the foundation? That might save you a lot of hassle!
That sounds like a great idea! It's definitely less invasive than cutting into the foundation and could allow you to meet the codes.
You might want to check out the official code guidelines for your area. There's an option to use a permanently affixed ladder if the window size meets the requirements. It could be worth looking into!
Yeah, why not use some creativity here? Extending the vent outside could be a practical solution!