Do I need an egress window to finish my basement?

If you're adding a bedroom or any room intended for sleeping, most building codes require a compliant egress window or door. Check with your local building department before finishing the space.

Does the window well need its own drain?

Yes, in most cases, especially if the well is deep or the soil doesn't drain well on its own. Without one, the well can fill with water and push it against the new window opening.

How long does installation take?

A typical egress window installation, including cutting the opening and building the well, usually takes one to a few days depending on the foundation material and well depth.

Will a new egress window affect my existing waterproofing?

It can if it's not integrated properly, since it's a new penetration in the foundation wall. Coordinating the well drainage with your existing sump or exterior drainage system avoids creating a new leak point.

Egress window installation in Rock County

Adding an egress window is its own project, separate from general basement waterproofing, though the two overlap in an important way: cutting a new window opening into a foundation wall creates a spot that has to be properly drained and sealed, or it becomes a new water entry point instead of a safety feature.

The work involves cutting or enlarging an opening in the foundation wall, installing the window unit, and building a window well outside that meets code for size and includes a ladder or steps if the well is deep enough to require one. A drain at the base of the well, tied into the home's drainage or sump system, keeps rain and snowmelt from collecting against the new opening.

This comes up most often when a homeowner is finishing a basement for a bedroom or living space, since building code requires a code-compliant egress point for any room used for sleeping. It's worth coordinating this with whoever handles your basement's waterproofing so the new opening doesn't undercut the rest of the system.

What it costs

Cost depends on whether it's a brand new opening cut into the foundation or an existing small window being enlarged, the depth and material of the window well, whether a drain needs to be tied into an existing sump or drainage system, and the quality of the window unit itself. Cutting a new opening in poured concrete or block costs more than enlarging an existing frame.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for basement waterproofing.

1. Rote's Landscaping And Waterproofing
4.9★ · 73 reviews

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2. Flood Pros Waterproofing
5.0★ · 33 reviews

82
3. Brady's Waterproofing & Concrete
5.0★ · 55 reviews

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FAQ

Do I need an egress window to finish my basement?: If you're adding a bedroom or any room intended for sleeping, most building codes require a compliant egress window or door. Check with your local building department before finishing the space.
Does the window well need its own drain?: Yes, in most cases, especially if the well is deep or the soil doesn't drain well on its own. Without one, the well can fill with water and push it against the new window opening.
How long does installation take?: A typical egress window installation, including cutting the opening and building the well, usually takes one to a few days depending on the foundation material and well depth.
Will a new egress window affect my existing waterproofing?: It can if it's not integrated properly, since it's a new penetration in the foundation wall. Coordinating the well drainage with your existing sump or exterior drainage system avoids creating a new leak point.