Basement and Egress Windows in Pittsburgh

Basement windows take a beating. They sit at or below grade, collect water and leaves in their wells, and in many Pittsburgh homes they are still the original single pane steel or wood units that rust, rot and let cold air pour in. Replacing them makes a basement drier, warmer and more secure. If you are finishing a basement or adding a bedroom down there, an egress window gives that room a safe way out in an emergency.

Our published range for quality vinyl double hung windows is $450 to $1,200 per window installed. Basement replacement windows and egress windows cost more than that standard range, and we price them at your free in home quote so the number reflects your exact openings, glass and trim.

Basement Window Replacement

A standard basement window replacement swaps a worn unit for a new one in the same opening. Common styles include small sliding windows, hopper windows that tilt in from the top, and awning windows that tilt out from the bottom. New basement windows bring:

• A tighter seal. Stops the drafts and the musty air that leak through old frames.
• Better security. Solid frames and working locks in place of rusted latches.
• Less water trouble. A properly sealed frame and a clear, well drained window well keep water from seeping in around the window.
• More light. Clean insulated glass in place of cloudy or painted panes.

Many older basement windows are set directly into masonry or block. We remove the old unit, clean and prepare the opening, set the new window, and seal it to the foundation so it stays dry.

What Is an Egress Window?

An egress window is a window large enough, and low enough from the floor, for a person to climb out of during a fire or other emergency, and for a firefighter to climb in. Building codes require an emergency escape opening in sleeping rooms, and that includes bedrooms in a finished basement. The code sets minimums for the size of the opening and how high the sill can be from the floor, and below grade egress windows also need a window well large enough to climb out of.

Requirements depend on the code your municipality has adopted and on the type of project, so we confirm the local requirements for your home at the quote before anything is ordered. We would rather tell you up front than have a finished basement fail an inspection.

When You Need an Egress Window

• You are finishing a basement and adding a bedroom.
• Someone is already sleeping in a basement room with only a small window.
• You plan to sell and want a basement bedroom to count as a bedroom.
• You want a safer exit and more daylight in a basement family room or office.

What an Egress Project Involves

Adding an egress window usually means enlarging an existing opening or creating a new one in the foundation wall, which is a bigger project than a straight replacement. The work typically includes cutting and finishing the opening, installing a properly sized window, excavating and installing a window well with drainage, and sometimes adding steps or a ladder in the well so it is easy to climb out. We walk through every part of it with you before work begins and tell you if any part of the job needs a specialty trade.

Window Wells and Drainage

Whether you are replacing a basement window or adding egress, the window well matters. A well that is crushed, rusted or packed with debris holds water against the window. A clear well with gravel and drainage, and a cover where appropriate, helps keep the basement dry. We check your wells at the quote and include any work they need in your price. Good gutters and downspouts that move water away from the foundation help too.

Cost of Basement and Egress Windows

A straight basement window replacement is a smaller project, while an egress installation that involves cutting the foundation and excavating a well is a larger one. Both are priced individually at a free in home quote after we see the opening, the wall and the grade outside. If you are replacing the rest of your windows too, the window price estimator gives a starting range for the standard windows.

See every window style we install on our main window replacement page.

Why Homeowners Choose Bella for Windows

Bella Construction has worked on Western Pennsylvania homes since 1995 from our shop in Irwin. We have completed more than 10,000 projects, hold a 4.7 star Google rating and an A+ BBB rating, and we are licensed under PA050898. As a full exterior contractor with Owens Corning Platinum Preferred and James Hardie Master credentials, we handle the window and everything around it: flashing, exterior trim capping and the siding that ties into the opening. You get published pricing, a written quote and no pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an egress window?

An egress window is a window large enough and low enough from the floor for a person to escape during an emergency and for a firefighter to enter. Building codes require one in sleeping rooms, including basement bedrooms.

Do I need an egress window in my basement?

If a basement room is used or will be used as a bedroom, an emergency escape opening is generally required. Requirements depend on your local code, and we confirm them for your home at the quote.

How much do basement windows cost to replace?

Basement window replacements and egress windows are priced individually at a free in home quote because the opening, wall material, window well and grade all affect the work.

Can you replace a basement window set in block or concrete?

Yes. We remove the old window, prepare the masonry opening, set the new window and seal it to the foundation so it stays dry.

Why does water come in around my basement window?

Common causes are a failed seal around the frame, a window well that is clogged or not draining, and gutters or grading that send water toward the foundation. We check all three at your quote.