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With basement egress windows, thoughtful planning makes for a precise installation.
We sweat the details before we break ground.
During your free site consultation, we look at:
- Work site accessibility
- Location of landscape features, utility meters, air conditioning compressors and fences
- Drainage issues
- Location of property lines
- Basement ceiling height and load-bearing walls
We measure for:
- Size and placement of egress window
- Location of hinges for window
- Size of window well
Next, you choose a window:
- A wide variety of sizes, materials and colors are available.
- Select a window that slides open or swings out (casement style). Double-hung windows can be installed if space allows.
- Double or triple windows are an option, if space allows.
- Foundation Builders typically uses windows from Precise, Silver Line and Andersen Windows.
We make sure your new window will meet or exceed code requirements.
Now choose your window well:
- Remember, the window well will be your "view." A nice-looking well is a worthwhile investment.
- Foundation Builders typically uses durable, composite wells from Rockwell Inc. that provide a sturdy, textured surface resembling rock.
- Other well options include corrugated metal, wood or concrete.
- To meet code, most wells must provide a step or permanently fixed ladder. Steps can also be created with terracing.
Installation now begins:
Step 1. Excavation
Your new window well may require a 5-by-4-foot hole that's 5 to 6 feet deep. Soil condition, location of utility lines and existing water can make excavation a labor-intensive process. We'll remove about 4 cubic yards of dirt. We can leave this dirt on your property if you need it or we will haul it away.
Before we dig, we contact Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) to mark the location of underground utilities. Let us know about any other buried lines or hazards, such as electrical lines running to a shed or garage, pet fences, downspout drains or cable TV.
Foundation Builders' crew uses a small backhoe for excavating. We use plastic ground cover mats on your lawn to protect it from our equipment.
We excavate to, and connect with, your home's existing foundation drainage system.
Step 2: Cutting the foundation.
Once excavation is complete, it's time to cut your basement wall. Remember we can put a window anywhere in your basement wall: It is not necessary to have an existing window.
Our 14-inch, diamond-blade saws use water to eliminate dust when cutting through the basement wall. All cutting is done from the exterior to keep dust out of your basement interior.
Step 3: Building the window well.
A well keeps dirt away from your window and acts as a retaining wall. Various types and styles of wells are available:
- Composite wells: Foundation Builders uses wells from Rockwell, Inc.
- Metal wells: Typically made from corrugated metal
- Timber wells: Built with landscape timbers
- Block wells: Built with concrete blocks
The well walls are assembled and backfilled with dirt. A layer of loose gravel, about 9 to 18 inches deep, fills the bottom of the well and eliminates pooling of rainwater.
The area surrounding the new window well is graded away from your house.
Step 4: Installing the window frame.
Our crew builds a wood frame for the window. We fasten the frame to the basement walls and seal any gaps with expansion foam.
Step 5: Installing the window.
The window unit is set in place and made level and plumb with shims, if necessary. After the window unit is fastened to the frame, gaps are filled with fiberglass foam to seal out water and insects.
We install low-maintenance composite trim around the outside of the window to complete the seal and create a finished look. We seal the trim to the foundation and to the window to prevent leaking or damage from moisture.
Step 6: Clean up.
Foundation Builders leaves your job site free from debris and dust. Your new window is in place and ready for interior trim.
Installing a basement egress window is a complex process. Foundation Builders has the equipment, experience and expertise to make sure the job is done right. Contact us today for a free site consultation.
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Why Choose Us?
