Basement Egress Window

[kmcbrid]

All this talk about basements (water or not) has got me thinking again about putting in an egress window in a basement room to add an extra bedroom to our house. The room already has a small window in it and I anticpate just making that bigger and putting the window there.

Anyone here have any expierance and can share advice on doing it yourself or going through a local contractor in Ames to get it done?

Thanks for the input.

[guitarchitect7]

Well its about cutting the necessary opening in your foundation (concrete, block, or wood) and allowing the for the code compliant sized window. You will need to header off for bearing purposes, and provide the egress well to allow for the allowed access to the window itself.

I will say, this is not an easy thing to do since your cutting into an existing structure / your foundation structure. For skilled framers, this might be a walk in the park, but even renting the saw becomes costly. I would suggest hiring someone so the liability falls back on the contractor and not you the homeowner.

Good luck.

[Cyclonesrule91]

I have done 4 of them myself and they are pretty simple. You can do it.

Do you have poured basement walls or concrete block?

[kmcbrid]

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

I have done 4 of them myself and they are pretty simple. You can do it.

Do you have poured basement walls or concrete block?

Concrete block. Are there usually permits required for this type of home improvement?

[CYKID]

I have used Cyclone Concrete Cutting/Campbell Egress several times for customer jobs and have always been satisfied. The number is 515-988-6831 Chris Williams. I sell egress windows and wells as one of my lines and I give him all of my referals. Tell him Kerry at Monarch gave you his number. He can give you a quote for the whole project or any part that you do not feel comfortable doing.

[Cyclonesrule91]

Originally Posted by kmcbrid

Concrete block. Are there usually permits required for this type of home improvement?

Concrete block is a lot better to cut then the poured walls so you're good there. I have never gotten a permit to do it but you want to call that One Call number and have them come mark out your utility lines so you don't get digging into one of them. Worst part by far is cutting the wall but measure you opening so you have joints on either side and on the bottom and then you can frame the hole for the window. I highly suggest using a electric concrete saw and not a gas powered one. I got a wicked case of CO2 poisoning cutting one hole out where I thought I had good ventilation but quickly found out I didn't. Also by the plastic sheets (bisqueen)sp and seal off the area that you are going to cut to as small as you can because concrete dust can be a pain to clean up.

I also dug all the holes myself too. A lot of work but you will save a lot of cash over hiring it out. I've always been a do-it-yourselfer though. Just make sure you know the code where you live as they have different requiremnts for window size and height off the floor to the bottom of the window. You can do it, I have faith in ya......

[kmcbrid]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Going on vacation this week, but I think we will try to tackle this in the coming weeks. Wish me luck!