Product Details
Color Options
Egress windows can save lives in an emergency, so it’s important they are installed right and built to code. At Window World of Rockford, our egress windows do just that but also add style to your home.
- Designed to meet your building codes
- Easy to access and exit in the case of an emergency
- Provides natural light and ventilation
Choose from these color options to beautifully complement the style of your home – inside and out.
*Color options may vary based on package, dimensions and more.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy-efficient windows, doors, and siding keep your home more comfortable, reduce your energy bills, and increase your home’s value. Learn about the science behind the savings here.
Your Questions, Answered
Egress Windows FAQs
What is an egress window?
Egress windows are large windows that serve as an exit in the event of an emergency. In fact, egress, by definition, means “a way out.” While an egress window’s primary function is to provide a safe exit point, they also provide plentiful natural light, making finished basements and living spaces more open and welcoming.
Does my home need egress windows?
Egress windows are required in every bedroom (regardless of floor), as well as in any basement or subterranean spaces that could be considered habitable or finished.
If you plan to convert an unfinished basement to habitable space, egress windows will be required. Many older homes will not have previously-installed egress windows in basement spaces – so that’s where Window World of Rockford comes in.
What is required of an egress window?
Building codes vary by location, but as a general rule of thumb, egress windows must have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. That is, the minimum opening size of the window – the space for a person to fit through – must be at least 5.7 square feet.
The window sill should be no higher than 44 inches above the floor. The minimum width of the opening is 20 inches, while the minimum height of the opening is 24 inches, but a 20-inch by 24-inch window would only provide a minimum net clear opening of 3.3 square feet. Normally we will install windows 30-36” wide and 40-48” tall for easier access and safety.
A person exiting the building must be able to open the egress window without additional tools or keys.
In addition, some building codes require egress windows for natural light and ventilation in basement rooms larger than 200 square feet. Typically, with rooms of this size, the glass area of the egress window must be at least 8% of the square footage of the room, and the opening area must be at least 4% of the square footage of the room.