Top Egress Window Replacement & Installation in Colorado Springs, Colorado Ranked

Adding an egress window or replacing an existing one is one of the most significant safety and value-adding upgrades you can make to your Colorado Springs home. These specialized emergency escape and rescue openings are legally required for any room classified as a bedroom or habitable space in a basement or attic. Beyond meeting code, a properly installed egress window system transforms dark, confined areas into bright, legal living spaces, enhancing both safety and your home's livable square footage. This guide outlines the critical requirements, process, and considerations for egress window work in Colorado Springs, helping you understand what's involved in finding a qualified professional for the job.

Oros Home Enhancements

6265 Lehman Dr #120, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Oros Home Enhancements is a family-owned and minority-operated window and door company serving Colorado Springs, CO, since 2009. They specialize in window replacement, egress windows, sliding glass door installation, and custom window and door designs for both residential and commercial properties. Their services cover Colorado Springs and nearby communities within about 60 miles, including Monument, Falcon, and Manitou Springs. The company offers energy-efficient and storm-rated windows, including Fibrex® material windows known for durability and insulation. With over 80 years of combined experience, Oros Home Enhancements provides a transferable double lifetime warranty and discounts for military, seniors, and first responders.

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Understanding Egress Window Requirements in Colorado Springs

Egress windows are not just any basement window. They are a life-saving feature designed to provide a clear path of escape for occupants and access for firefighters during an emergency. In Colorado Springs, these installations are governed by strict building codes adopted from the International Residential Code (IRC), with specific local amendments ^{1 2}.

The primary purpose is clear: every sleeping room and habitable basement must have a secondary means of egress in case the primary exit (like a stairway) is blocked by fire or smoke. This isn't a suggestion-it's a mandatory building code for your safety and is strictly enforced during home renovations, basement finishing projects, or when converting a non-conforming space into a legal bedroom ^{3 4}.

Key Code Specifications for Egress Openings

To be compliant, an egress window assembly in Colorado Springs must meet several precise measurements and operational criteria. These are the non-negotiable minimums:

• Minimum Clear Opening: The window must provide a net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet. This opening must be at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high ^{1 5 4}.
• Sill Height: The bottom of the clear opening cannot be more than 44 inches above the finished floor of the room. This ensures occupants, including children and elderly individuals, can easily climb out ^{1 6}.
• Easy Operation: The emergency escape window must be operable from the inside without the use of tools, keys, or special knowledge. It must open fully to the required clear opening size. While locks are allowed for security, they cannot impede quick escape ^{2 7}.
• Window Well Requirements: If the window is below grade (which is typical for basements), a window well is required. The well must have a minimum horizontal area of 9 square feet, with a minimum projection of 36 inches from the exterior wall. If the well depth exceeds 44 inches, permanent steps or a ladder must be installed. This ladder can project up to 6 inches into the required well dimensions ^{1 4 8}.

The Permit Process: A Non-Negotiable Step

Installing or replacing an egress window in Colorado Springs always requires a building permit. This is because the work involves cutting into your home's foundation, which is a structural component. Skipping the permit process can result in fines, forced removal of the work, and serious complications when you try to sell your home ^{9 10}.

Steps to Secure Your Permit

1. Contact the City: Your first call should be to the Colorado Springs Building Department. They can provide the most current application forms, checklists, and clarify any local amendments to the state code ^{1 2}.
2. Prepare Detailed Plans: You or your contractor will need to submit detailed plans showing the proposed location, dimensions of the window and well, structural details of the foundation cut, and the method of support (like a steel lintel). For most egress window projects that involve cutting concrete foundations, the city will require stamped drawings from a licensed structural engineer ^{9 10}.
3. Submit Application and Pay Fees: Submit your completed permit application, engineered plans, and the required fee. Permit fees for egress windows in Colorado Springs typically range from $50 to $500 or more, depending on the project's complexity and valuation ^{9 10}.
4. Schedule Inspections: Once the permit is issued and work begins, you will need to schedule and pass inspections. These usually include a rough-in inspection to verify the structural opening and a final inspection to ensure the installed window, well, and ladder (if needed) meet all code requirements ^{1 10}.

Cost Considerations for Egress Window Projects

The total cost of an egress window project in Colorado Springs varies widely based on the scope. A simple replacement of an existing, non-compliant window with a compliant one in an already dug well will be at the lower end. A brand-new installation in a poured concrete foundation, requiring excavation, cutting, structural support, and a new well, represents a more significant investment ¹¹.

• Permit & Engineering Fees: Budget for the city permit fee ($50-$500+) and structural engineering fees, which can range from $100-$200 per hour or be a fixed cost bundled with a window kit ^{9 10}.
• Materials & Labor: This is the bulk of the cost. For a standard egress window replacement in an existing well, you might expect costs in the range of $2,000 to $4,000. A full new installation for a basement bedroom, involving excavation, concrete cutting, steel lintel installation, window unit, well, drainage, and backfill, can range from $6,500 to $9,000 or more ^{10 11}.
• Factors Influencing Price: The type of foundation (poured concrete vs. block), soil conditions, depth of excavation, choice of window material (vinyl, fiberglass, wood), and the style of the window well (corrugated metal, polymer, masonry) all impact the final price.

Choosing the Right Egress Window Professional

Given the structural and safety-critical nature of this work, selecting the right contractor is paramount. Look for a professional with specific, proven experience in egress window installations in the Colorado Springs area.

• Verify Licensing & Insurance: Ensure the contractor is licensed to work in Colorado Springs and carries both liability insurance and workers' compensation.
• Check for Specialization: Ask how many egress window projects they complete per year. An experienced pro will be deeply familiar with local code, the permit process, and common soil and foundation challenges in the Pikes Peak region.
• Review the Process: A reputable contractor will handle or guide you through the entire process: initial consultation, site measurement, obtaining engineered plans, pulling the permit, performing the excavation and installation, and coordinating the final inspections.
• Get Detailed Quotes: Request written, itemized quotes that break down costs for materials (window, well, lintel, drainage), labor, engineering, and permit fees. This allows for accurate comparisons between providers.

Beyond the Basement: Other Applications

While most commonly associated with basement bedrooms, egress window requirements apply to any "habitable space" used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. This includes finished attics used as bedrooms, certain home offices, or basement family rooms. If you are finishing any below-grade or attic space and want it to be considered legal square footage, an egress window is likely required ^{3 12}.

Installing an emergency escape and rescue opening is a smart investment that prioritizes the safety of your family and guests while adding functional, legal space to your home. By understanding the local Colorado Springs requirements and process, you can confidently plan this important home improvement project.

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