Basement Egress the HOT Home Improvement in 2016!
Remodeling your basement is like finding more space in your home. Before you begin the remodeling project, always check with your local building department. One of the most important codes is the basement safety exit and basement egress compliance. Over the last few years, state and local building officials have focused more on enforcing this code. More than 90 percent of the states in the United States follow the standards of the International Residential Code (IRC). Code R310.0 states – Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue. Many basements across the country are not in compliance with this egress code and since it’s a fire/safety requirement, there is no grandfather clause. Mark Nard, Senior Staff Engineer at the International Code Council (ICC) states “emergency exits are required in basement sleeping rooms or habitable space—defined as spaces used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. While that does not include spaces like bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage spaces, or utility spaces, it does include offices, recreation rooms, bedrooms, and home theaters.”
Install Basement Egress Windows for Safety
Homeowners have tried to come up with all sorts of reasons why they don’t think they need an egress exit. But, says Nard, “It’s not about you. It’s about the firefighter or rescue worker carrying gear and wearing an oxygen backpack who has to get through that opening to drag you out in case you are unconscious from a fire or other emergency.” It’s also about anyone who will own the home after you and may use that basement space.” So with all that being said, every year, more and more basement egress projects have been contracted around the country. Most homeowners find that the egress window systems are more cost effective than a full in-law suite stairwell. Other than safety, it adds more light into the basement and you will be able to designate the area as a legal bedroom which will increase the home’s value. Where else in your home can you add 20 – 50% more livable square footage for less than $10,000?
Contact a Certified Egress Specialist
A.M. Shield has been installing egress windows for over 10 years. In 2014, they became one of the area’s only certified egress specialists. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in egress project requests. This increase is due to the homeowner’s egress awareness and makes this home project the “hot” one for 2016.
Contact A.M. Shield today for a no cost, no obligation appointment with one of our trained specialists. Call today (516-294-8400). You can also view the types of egress windows we install at amshieldcorp.com/egress-window-systems.
