If you are finishing your basement and plan to include a bedroom, Pennsylvania building code requires an egress window in that room. An egress window is large enough for a person to exit through in an emergency and for a firefighter to enter through. This is not optional. It is a life safety requirement.
Size Requirements
The egress window must have a minimum opening of 5.7 square feet, with a minimum width of 20 inches and a minimum height of 24 inches. The bottom of the opening cannot be more than 44 inches from the floor. These dimensions ensure that the window is usable as an emergency exit. We verify these measurements during the design phase and install windows that meet or exceed the requirements.
Window Wells
Because basement windows are below grade, an egress window typically requires a window well. The well must be large enough to allow the window to open fully and for a person to climb out. If the well is deeper than 44 inches, a permanently attached ladder or steps are required. At Black Forest Home Improvements, we install properly sized window wells with drainage to prevent water accumulation.
Installation Process
Adding an egress window to an existing basement involves cutting through the foundation wall, excavating outside, installing the window and well, and waterproofing the area. This is structural work that requires experience and precision. We reinforce the opening, install proper flashing, and backfill around the well to ensure the foundation remains sound and watertight.
Why It Matters Beyond Code
An egress window does more than satisfy a code requirement. It brings natural light into the basement, makes the space feel larger, and improves ventilation. A basement bedroom without natural light feels like a basement. A bedroom with a properly sized window feels like a room.
The International Code Council publishes the residential building codes that Pennsylvania municipalities adopt for egress window requirements.
Planning a basement finish with a bedroom? Contact us to discuss egress window options for your home.