How to measure egress window wells?

When it comes to ensuring the safety of your family and your home, the first thing you should do is make sure there is adequate egress window well coverage. Egress window wells provide a means for smoke, fire, carbon dioxide, or any other toxic gasses to escape from underneath the home. It’s a simple and inexpensive investment that can pay for itself in the form of reduced fire and smoke damage, as well as potentially life-saving measures.

How to check egress window well opening size?

Inspecting the window well opening size is easy. Just place a tape measure around the top of the window well or use a ruler to measure from the top of the windowsill to the top of the well. Add the window well opening height plus the window well trim level plus another two or three inches. This gives you a good idea of the size of your window well opening needs to be.

How to measure egress window well size?

Typically, a 3/4-in. egress window well can fit a door up to 5 ft. tall, and a 6-in. window well can fit a door up to 6 ft. tall. You can also take into account the depth of the window well in your floor plan when determining the right size for your door. A window well that’s too small for your door will leave little room for the frame and the jamb and might not protect the integrity of your home

How to check an egress window well?

First, you’ll want to look at the exterior of your home for any visible signs of deterioration or damage. If you notice any, it’s best to have an inspector check the area and report their findings. For example, if there is rust forming around the window well, this could indicate that moisture is seeping into your home. The problem could be coming from the ground level or from the window itself.

How to size an egress window well?

The correct width of an egress window well, in floor-to-ceiling measurements, is equal to the width of your windows. The depth of the egress window well should be at least one-half the total window height. For example, if your windows are six feet tall, the egress window well should be at least 3 feet deep.