My house was built in 1919, and it has 3 small windows in the living area of the basement. I am gradually redoing my house after 26 years of basically doing nothing to it but painting and replacing water heaters, gas furnaces / heaters and bathroom things. I am basically doing everything myself because my husband is not a DIY type of person and I am. So, it’s taking me a long time to do things. Was just wondering do I still need to put a bigger window in my old basement and should I put 3 big windows to make them all look better and have more light. I do have a sidewalk right next to my house that butted up to it. Oh by the way I am a 67 yr old woman and I love doing DIY projects, but my husband seems not wanting to get his hands dirty and rather watch tv or be on his phone or go to the gym. ……. Lol, maybe I need to find a new husband after 37yrs of marriage.
I own a tri-level home. The bottom floor has 36x36 windows that have there bottom at ground level. They are also 42 inches from the floor. Does that qualify?
My house is 90 years old and has an unfinished basement with laundry facilities at one end. I would like to add a toilet and 36"x36" standing shower in that area so that I can remodel the upstairs bathroom and bedrooms. Do you think I need an egress for that situation?
Hi, I have a walkout basement being finished. Our plan was to put in a bedroom with closet, bathroom, and kitchenette/living room with the walkout door attached to the living room. Due to various reasons, installing an egress window has become increasingly challenging. So I was wondering if it was possible to just simply remove the bedroom door that connects it with the living room and therefore turn everything except the bathroom into one room that has an exit to the outside (basically a loft apartment)? My location uses the 2018 IRC if that helps. Good video btw. I wish I had done some research and seen this earlier.
It's going to depend on your city code office whether or not they accept taking the door off of the bedroom claiming one open space...they may say that because someone could put a door on the entrance to the bedroom area, it has to have a window in the bedroom area... ~Eddie
Eddie, Your videos are outstanding and I have been invaluable to my basement project planning. I have 4 small basement windows above grade as well as a walkout basement door. Because of a design plan, I would like to drywall over and “cover” two of the windows. Do you have any experience doing this?
Hi! Yes we do this occasionally. We foam the window over with window and door expansion foam for a "forever" draft seal, and then we just cut and install a piece of 3/4" plywood in front of the foam layer on the inside for added protection. Them we just build our wall in front of the window as normal... Hope this helps. ~Eddie
I finished my basement, after I bought and watched your vids. It turned out great! There are stairs inside, that lead from upper floor to lower floor. We talked about turning my daughter’s play room (basement) into a bedroom. So, the potential bedroom would need its own egress? The stairs lead to the family room. The stairs would NOT count as an egress? I suppose it would depend on city codes? Thanks for all you’ve helped us with!
I’m considering setting up an Airbnb in my partially finished basement and want to install a door to provide direct access. I do have an upstairs side door, but it also gives access to the upstairs portion. Can I install the basement door leading to the bedroom and not an egress window? I know it will be awkward, but don't want to install an egress window and a door if I can help it. Or, can I knockdown the bedroom wall and install the egress door at another location?
I currently have an egress door in my basement, i'm planning to put in a bedroom do the opening need expanded for egress conformance or do i just put windows in the existing openings?
What if you have a small basement window and want to put in a egress window. Will the cost be less because it has a window well already. Just needs to be bigger?
If it's a doorway from the exterior directly into the basement then it counts as being an egress exit. A Bilco door is just another option you have at your disposal...@@bhadz100
Is there some standard that a township would use to determine whether or not a room is considered a bedroom? For example, a room created as office space could theoretically be converted to a bedroom after receiving permits. So how does that work?
It legally is whatever you say the room is. So...the township can not dispute you calling it an office or a gym or whatever you say it is. If they dispute it, take them to court and you will win...
@@BasementFinishingManSpoke with my township and they deem any room with a closet to be a bedroom. So if I want to avoid a designation as a bedroom, I have to have shelves instead of a closet. Absurd, but that's what it is. And this is from a more conservative township in NJ. Thanks as always, Eddie.
Question: I just bought my first home, built in 1964 and the basement was finished sometime in the 1970s. The basement has a den and a bedroom already. Home is in Colorado, El Paso county. The windows do not meet current egress code. As long as I do not renovate the basement further, can I continue to use the bedroom/den there legally? I plan to rent this area of my home for extra income.
This video is excellent. It's just what I was looking for while planning my basement renovation. Thank you 🎉
Hi There ,
Thank you for the video. please make a video for removing a load bring wall.
My house was built in 1919, and it has 3 small windows in the living area of the basement. I am gradually redoing my house after 26 years of basically doing nothing to it but painting and replacing water heaters, gas furnaces / heaters and bathroom things. I am basically doing everything myself because my husband is not a DIY type of person and I am. So, it’s taking me a long time to do things. Was just wondering do I still need to put a bigger window in my old basement and should I put 3 big windows to make them all look better and have more light. I do have a sidewalk right next to my house that butted up to it. Oh by the way I am a 67 yr old woman and I love doing DIY projects, but my husband seems not wanting to get his hands dirty and rather watch tv or be on his phone or go to the gym. ……. Lol, maybe I need to find a new husband after 37yrs of marriage.
on foots the with should be 1 2/3 x 2 = 3 1/3sqft, how do you get 5.7sqft
I own a tri-level home. The bottom floor has 36x36 windows that have there bottom at ground level. They are also 42 inches from the floor. Does that qualify?
My house is 90 years old and has an unfinished basement with laundry facilities at one end. I would like to add a toilet and 36"x36" standing shower in that area so that I can remodel the upstairs bathroom and bedrooms. Do you think I need an egress for that situation?
How do we cut a new window through the cylinder block and exterior brick?
Hi, I have a walkout basement being finished. Our plan was to put in a bedroom with closet, bathroom, and kitchenette/living room with the walkout door attached to the living room. Due to various reasons, installing an egress window has become increasingly challenging. So I was wondering if it was possible to just simply remove the bedroom door that connects it with the living room and therefore turn everything except the bathroom into one room that has an exit to the outside (basically a loft apartment)? My location uses the 2018 IRC if that helps. Good video btw. I wish I had done some research and seen this earlier.
It's going to depend on your city code office whether or not they accept taking the door off of the bedroom claiming one open space...they may say that because someone could put a door on the entrance to the bedroom area, it has to have a window in the bedroom area... ~Eddie
Eddie,
Your videos are outstanding and I have been invaluable to my basement project planning. I have 4 small basement windows above grade as well as a walkout basement door. Because of a design plan, I would like to drywall over and “cover” two of the windows. Do you have any experience doing this?
Hi! Yes we do this occasionally. We foam the window over with window and door expansion foam for a "forever" draft seal, and then we just cut and install a piece of 3/4" plywood in front of the foam layer on the inside for added protection. Them we just build our wall in front of the window as normal... Hope this helps. ~Eddie
I finished my basement, after I bought and watched your vids. It turned out great! There are stairs inside, that lead from upper floor to lower floor. We talked about turning my daughter’s play room (basement) into a bedroom. So, the potential bedroom would need its own egress? The stairs lead to the family room. The stairs would NOT count as an egress? I suppose it would depend on city codes? Thanks for all you’ve helped us with!
Hello! Yes that bedroom would need an egress exit and the stairs leading to the 1st floor would NOT be Egress code approved. ~Eddie
@@BasementFinishingMan Thanks man.. we planned to put one in the bedroom anyway. Guess I’ll have to put one in the remodeled basement too…ughhhhh…
If your pulling permits you will..."wink"@@shadowghst7704
@@BasementFinishingMan Thanks man!
You should check in with the building department in your town because each inspector is different in helping you get correct egress
I’m considering setting up an Airbnb in my partially finished basement and want to install a door to provide direct access. I do have an upstairs side door, but it also gives access to the upstairs portion. Can I install the basement door leading to the bedroom and not an egress window? I know it will be awkward, but don't want to install an egress window and a door if I can help it. Or, can I knockdown the bedroom wall and install the egress door at another location?
Does it require underpinning? Not sure why my city in Michigan needs it?
No...never heard that one before...
I currently have an egress door in my basement, i'm planning to put in a bedroom do the opening need expanded for egress conformance or do i just put windows in the existing openings?
You need a separate window or egress door in the bedroom space. ~Eddie
What if you have a small basement window and want to put in a egress window. Will the cost be less because it has a window well already. Just needs to be bigger?
Same cost really...won't save any material costs or much time
I have a side door going to the basement. Is that considered an egress?
Yes this it would be egress...
@@BasementFinishingMan I’m always confused with that setup since I’m used to seeing a Bilco in my area
If it's a doorway from the exterior directly into the basement then it counts as being an egress exit. A Bilco door is just another option you have at your disposal...@@bhadz100
Is there some standard that a township would use to determine whether or not a room is considered a bedroom? For example, a room created as office space could theoretically be converted to a bedroom after receiving permits. So how does that work?
It legally is whatever you say the room is. So...the township can not dispute you calling it an office or a gym or whatever you say it is. If they dispute it, take them to court and you will win...
@@BasementFinishingManSpoke with my township and they deem any room with a closet to be a bedroom. So if I want to avoid a designation as a bedroom, I have to have shelves instead of a closet. Absurd, but that's what it is. And this is from a more conservative township in NJ.
Thanks as always, Eddie.
@@greggnelson9334 wow…that’s why I always say when doubt call your code office. It’s never black and white anymore it seems!🫤
@@BasementFinishingMan Yeah, very disappointing for the area that I live, which I would've expected better from.
If we have a bedroom and a finished basement, do we need an egress window?
Question: I just bought my first home, built in 1964 and the basement was finished sometime in the 1970s. The basement has a den and a bedroom already. Home is in Colorado, El Paso county. The windows do not meet current egress code. As long as I do not renovate the basement further, can I continue to use the bedroom/den there legally? I plan to rent this area of my home for extra income.
I'm finding out that you can't do that legally or safely if the room is intended for sleeping purposes in Fulton County, GA
so each bedroom in the basement has to have the own egress windows
Correct!
Do the math. 20 x 24 doesn't add up to 5.7 feet. 20" and 24 " inches are the minimums. However, the other measurement must be increased to meet code.
net clear opening = 5.7sq feet. High = 2feet x wide = 1.66 foot = 3.32sqft this is not equal of bigger the net clear opening
This was my first thought. I came to the comments for an answer.
Dug the hole with a shovel, cut a 40"x45" hole in 8" cement and installed a specially made egress window and well...by myself. This guy is lazy.
No...this guy has a bad back! Lol!
@@BasementFinishingMan I have had two back surgeries and have titanium rods in by back...hmmm.
You don't need a new one for the kid that is on your last nerves..I'M JUST KIDDING ABOUT THIS