Have you put any thought into installing a basement egress window? We think you should and here’s why: Homeowners love finished basements. And why not? The space can afford you and your family a large amount of additional living area without the huge cost of adding an addition onto your home. They also make terrific spots to create playrooms, game rooms, in-home theaters, additional bedrooms and more. However, hanging out in your basement can become a safety issue.
Homes with finished basements should have some form of egress (a way in and out) in the event of a fire. In fact, homeowners can’t have a legal bedroom in their basement without an egress window installed. While they are a great idea, basement egress windows aren’t cheap to install. This might lead a homeowner to ask, “can I skip it?” The answer? A very clear, “no.” Whether you’re looking to add value to your home or safety for your family, egress windows are definitely worth it.
Egress Windows Don’t Skip On Safety
It’s not something any of us like to consider, but we definitely should – especially if we have children. If a fire were to break out upstairs while you were in the basement, what would your exit strategy be? Do you have a stairwell leading outside? Will you try to squeeze through the tiny window? Egress window kits are made with fire codes in mind to ensure you and your loved ones safe and easy exit in case of an emergency. Additionally, they can be customized to your specifications, making them not only effective but beautiful, too. Egress windows are certainly worth it for safety.
Egress Windows Don’t Skip On Adding Home Value
It may surprise you to know that egress windows can add substantial value to your home. In fact, they are one of the only projects that you will fully recoup your cost in resale value. The total cost of installation of an egress window starts around $6000 dollars. However, if you have all the other qualifications for a bedroom (closet and at least 10 ft by 10 ft area) then you can market that as a bedroom when it comes time to sell your house. The current average for value per livable space in Cincinnati is around $125 per square foot. That means a 12×12 room will be worth roughly $18,000 in additional value for your home. All this for a project that starts at only around $6,000.
Egress windows are worth installing for a lot of reasons
It’s not just safety and value that make egress windows a great idea:
- Safety
- Legally market a basement room as a bedroom
- Increased lighting
- Increased air flow
- Can be added anywhere in your basement
Are Egress Windows Worth it?
An egress window is a great way to make your home safe and comfortable and an excellent way to add value to your home instantly. It is a fairly affordable project and one of the few that will fully recoup your costs in resale value. Plus, it only takes a few days to complete! The project is a handful for even the most experienced DIYers and can cause quite a mess, which is why hiring a professional installer, like Toledo Basement Repair, is always a good idea. We will leave your yard and home clean and mess free after the project is finished.
Does an Egress Window Sound Appealing to You?
If you would like to make your home safer, increase the ambiance of your basement and add value to your home, consider installing a basement egress window. For help tackling this (or any) basement project, contact a our pros online or give us a call at (419) 297-6138.