Codes require new homes to have the proper size basement and bedroom egress windows.
Egress bedroom window size.
The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide.
For determining egress window sizes and placement the international building code holds that every bedroom must contain at least one egress window.
This type of window is a bit trickier.
When the sill height of an egress window is located below grade common for egress windows provided for a basement a window well must be provided.
Multiply the width by the height of the opening to determine whether it s the required 5 7 sq.
For basement egress windows there are also codes that regulate the sizes of the window wells which is the area surrounding the window on the home s exterior.
The wells must provide 9 square feet 0 83 square meters of floor space and be a minimum of 36 inches 91 44 cm in width and height.
Since they swing out from the bottom these will not make very suitable basement egress windows.
They may actually trap you in case of a fire.
The area of a window well shall not be less than 9 square feet with a horizontal length width of no less than 36 inches.
But if you live in an older pre owned home open your bedroom windows fully pull out a tape measure and see if the opening meets current egress requirements.
It must be at least 5 7 square feet that is at least 20 inches wide by 24 inches high with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor.
The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5 7 square feet.
The minimum egress window opening height is 24 high.