Basement Escape Window Installation in New Jersey
Basement Egress Windows for Central & Northern NJ and the Jersey Shore
Your home is your safe haven, and Blue Umbrella wants to help you keep it that way. We hope you’ll never need to use them, but our basement egress windows add safety to your home and provide peace of mind that your family is protected during an emergency.
Quality materials are just as important as the installation, which is why Blue Umbrella is proud to install Bowman Kemp egress windows. Bowman Kemp has been delivering industry-leading products that perfectly blend functionality with beauty for decades, so you can be sure you’re getting the highest-quality basement egress windows in New Jersey.
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What is an Egress Window?
Egress windows, also called escape windows, are designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and quick escape. Often, contractors use casement windows because they’re easy to open and large enough for an adult to climb through. Homes that don’t have as much space available may require another type of window, like an awning window.
Why Do I Need a Basement Escape Window?
A basement escape window is a crucial component of your home’s fire safety system. In the event of a fire, you need to be able to get out of your home. Basement escape windows are designed specifically to provide a quick, efficient, and safe exit point for your family and an entry point for firefighters.
Another reason you need basement escape windows is that they are required to meet local New Jersey building codes.
Added Benefits of Having an Egress Window
Basements often feel stuffy and dark due to their location. Egress windows add natural light, making the space brighter. Additionally, you can open the window to enjoy fresh air, preventing your basement from feeling stale. Airflow and circulation also can help combat basement mold and mildew growth, which are common problems for Garden State homeowners.
Another benefit of installing an emergency basement window is increased energy efficiency. When you choose an experienced New Jersey egress window installer who uses high-quality products and industry-leading installation techniques, your basement escape window will help regulate your basement’s temperature. By keeping your basement warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, energy-efficient egress windows can help you lower energy costs.
You’ll also get more space. A basement egress window adds living space to your home for much less than the cost other types of home additions. Plus, homeowners tend to recoup about 70% of the cost of finishing a basement when selling.
Not planning to sell? No problem! With the added light and ventilation an egress window provides, your basement can be anything you want. You can create a fun family room, a functional home office, or a home gym.
How a Basement Egress Window is Installed
When it comes to escape window installation, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Blue Umbrella is the local New Jersey egress window installer you can count on for high-quality products and expert craftsmanship. We take our time and go the extra mile to ensure your basement egress windows are installed properly to protect your family.
Preparation
At Blue Umbrella, we treat your property with care and respect. We take time to locate the ideal location for your egress window installation, so it’s in a space that is both practical for your needs and meets code requirements. Once we’ve selected the location, we’ll prepare the area for excavation.
Excavation
When possible, we will excavate the soil by hand to minimize disruption to your property’s landscaping. We’ll dig down to your property’s perimeter drain and ensure that the area for your window well is equipped with proper drainage.
Concrete Cutting
The next step is to cut through your foundation walls. We make sure that our cuts will create a secure fit. First, we cut corners using a drill to create rounded cuts. Once the concrete has been cut and sawed, we remove the remaining section of concrete to create room for your window. The final step is to use a grinder to remove any sharp edges from drills or saws.
Window Well Installation & Damage
Before we install your egress window, we will install the window well and ensure proper drainage in the area. We anchor the window well to your foundation, ensuring its strength and stability.
Because water can accumulate in your window well, you need to have a drainage system in place. We make sure that your window well has drainage to keep water away from your home.
Window Installation
With everything else in place, we will start the actual installation process. First, we frame the opening and waterproof it. Once the window is positioned and leveled, we’ll install it and screw the window into the frame. Once your window is installed, we’ll add finishing touches, like trim and installing the privacy cover, and then we’ll meticulously clean our work area so your home looks pristine when we finish.
Our Basement Egress Windows - Bowman Kemp
When it comes to your basement egress windows, quality matters. That’s why the experts at Blue Umbrella proudly install Bowman Kemp basement egress window systems. These basement escape windows are the perfect blend of safety, beauty, and functionality. Bowman Kemp has been an industry-leading manufacturer for over 40 years.
By choosing Bowman Kemp basement window systems, you’ll enjoy features and benefits like:
- Low-E or tempered glass options
- Code compliance for egress windows
- Low-maintenance materials
- Durable, weather-resistant materials
- Safety grates
- Durable privacy covers
Features You Want in Your Basement Escape Window
You need basement fire escape windows to keep your family safe. In the event of an emergency, egress windows are often the safest and quickest fire escape for basement areas. Make sure you get the best protection possible by choosing basement escape windows with:
Cored and Ground Corners
How your egress windows are installed is as important as the materials used. To install basement escape windows, your contractor must cut into the foundation wall. If not done properly, problems like cracking, leaking, and water seepage could develop over time. Sharp cuts can create stress points, but rounded corners help distribute stress more evenly, which can help protect the structural integrity of your foundation.
Metal Window Well Liners
Expansive soils are common in New Jersey, particularly in coastal areas. This type of soil expands when wet and contracts when dry. Over time, this process puts pressure on your foundation wall and can lead to issues like cracking and bowing.
Window well liners are part of a complete basement escape window system, and to be most effective, they need to be made with materials strong enough to handle hydrostatic pressure. Some waterproofing companies use plastic liners but these often aren’t strong enough to handle the pressure. To maintain a safe window well and emergency exit, you want your window well liner to be crafted using strong, thick metal.
Casement Window
To safely evacuate your home, you need a window large enough for an adult to climb through comfortably. You also need a window that is easy to open for everyone, including children if necessary. For these reasons, casement windows specifically designed as basement egress windows are the best choice. Casement windows designed for use as basement escape windows have quick-action levers, as opposed to cranks, allowing for a quick escape in the event of an emergency.
Working Drain
Egress windows sit in a deep well with metal sides and a glass front. When water gets into this well, there is nowhere for it to go, so it accumulates and fills. Egress windows aren’t meant to handle hydrostatic pressure that accumulating water creates and that can lead to cracked or broken glass, and a huge mess inside your basement. The best way to prevent moisture accumulation is to have a properly functioning drain at the bottom of your window well.
Strong Privacy Cover
A large escape well is perfect when you need the space to evacuate but can be a hazard if left uncovered. Left uncovered, kids and pets can fall into your window well. Having a strong privacy cover installed is a great way to prevent accidents. Additionally, because egress windows are at ground level, they can give outsiders a clear view into your basement. Uncovered egress windows can also be an easy entry point for intruders. Installing a strong cover offers privacy and security. Plus, privacy covers provide insulation, helping to regulate your basement’s temperature for a more comfortable environment and lower energy bills.
Basement Egress (Escape) Window FAQs
What Size Egress Window Do I Need in New Jersey?
To meet the requirements of the New Jersey International Building Code, egress windows must have:
- A minimum opening area of at least 5.7 square feet
- A minimum of 20 inches high and 24 inches wide
- The sill height must be no higher than 44 inches measured from the floor
- Full operational capability without requiring special keys or tools
What Are The Restrictions on Egress Window Placement?
According to New Jersey code, all emergency escape openings, like basement egress windows, must open directly into your yard or a public area. Your egress window installers can place egress windows under decks or porches as long as the location of the deck allows for the emergency escape opening to be fully functional and provides a path that is no less than 36 inches high to your yard.
Some egress windows may be installed below ground level. If your emergency basement escape window has a finished sill height below ground level, you must also have a window well..
The good news is that you don’t need to know the perfect location for your egress windows – the pros at Blue Umbrella can help you with that! We’ll survey your property and discuss your lifestyle to ensure that we choose a location that is practical for your family and meets all New Jersey code requirements.
What’s the Best Way to Excavate For The Egress Well?
The best way to excavate for the egress well depends upon the size and scope of the job. At Blue Umbrella, we will work with you to ensure we use proper excavation techniques, including excavating the soil by hand using shovels, designed to minimize disruption to your home and landscaping.
How Do You Prevent Water Intrusion in an Egress Window?
The best way to prevent water intrusion in your egress windows is to choose a local egress window installer with experience. Proper grading and installation are critical for the longevity and overall performance of your egress windows and for preventing future damage. At Blue Umbrella, we use high-quality materials and industry-leading installation techniques to prevent water intrusion and leaks.
What Are The New Jersey Egress Window Code Requirements?
New Jersey basements must have at least one operational emergency escape and rescue opening. If your basement has one or more bedrooms, each room needs its own emergency escape window. Egress windows must also meet dimensional requirements, and require ladders or steps and a drainage system.
Are There Special Permits Required to Install Egress Windows?
Yes. You will need to obtain the proper permits, and have your egress windows inspected by a professional inspector prior to installation. When you choose Blue Umbrella, you can be sure that our windows and installation methods meet all code and safety regulations, and we help you obtain any necessary permits.
Can You Use Other Types of Windows for Basement Escape Windows?
Casement windows are ideal for basement egress windows, because they provide a safe, quick, and comfortable exit. However, if your New Jersey home has space limitations that prevent casement window installation, we can help you choose a window that meets code requirements. In New Jersey, you can also use awning or single-hung windows as an emergency basement window.
Why Choose Blue Umbrella for Egress Windows
As a leading local waterproofing company, Blue Umbrella provides lasting solutions for New Jersey homeowners, including basement egress windows from Bowman Kemp. We partner with industry leaders like Bowman Kemp to ensure that homeowners get the highest-quality products and industry-leading warranties for added peace of mind.
In addition to partnering with some of the best brands in the industry, Blue Umbrella uses tried and true methods on every project. Whether we’re encapsulating your crawl space or installing egress windows, we treat each job with care and precision.
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