Top Egress Window Replacement & Installation in Pontiac, Michigan Ranked

Adding an egress window to your Pontiac basement is more than a home improvement project; it's a critical safety upgrade that transforms a dark storage area into a legal, livable bedroom or family space. These specialized windows provide a secondary escape route in case of emergency and are required by Michigan building codes for any basement room used for sleeping or regular living. Understanding the specific requirements for size, installation, and permitting in Pontiac is essential for a successful project that ensures safety, adds value, and passes inspection. This guide will help you navigate the process of finding qualified local professionals for your egress window installation or replacement.

Michigan Egress

27940 Groesbeck Hwy Suite 1A, Roseville, MI 48066

Michigan Egress is a Detroit, MI-based contractor specializing in egress window installations, replacements, maintenance, and custom exit openings. Established in 2006 as a division of Anto Glass Block, they focus on providing safe and compliant egress solutions primarily for residential basements. The family-owned business emphasizes quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

4.9

112 Reviews

Escape Window & Well Llc

28615 Beverly Rd, Romulus, MI 48174

Escape Window & Well Llc is a window repair and replacement company based in Detroit, MI, specializing in custom-made egress windows. They provide complete basement egress window packages designed for safety and compliance with emergency exit requirements, featuring fusion-welded corners for durability and easy swing-in cleaning functionality.

5.0

11 Reviews

Anto Glass Block Inc.

27940 Groesbeck Hwy, Roseville, MI 48066

Anto Glass Block Inc. is an egress window contractor based in Detroit, MI, specializing in glass block installations and egress window solutions. They serve both residential and commercial clients, offering custom glass block walls, showers, and egress wells using mortar and silicone techniques with high-quality materials. The company has been operating since 1993 and provides free consultations with professional designers.

4.5

38 Reviews

Bayshore Construction

20167 Wedgewood Dr, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Bayshore Construction is a family-owned contractor based in Detroit, MI, specializing in basement waterproofing, foundation repair, custom concrete work, and egress window installation. They serve both residential and commercial customers, offering services such as interior and exterior waterproofing, foundation crack repair, and custom patios and driveways. Bayshore Construction provides a 12-year warranty on their waterproofing systems and is licensed, bonded, and insured.

5.0

4 Reviews

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Understanding Egress Window Requirements in Pontiac

An egress window is a large, operable window designed specifically for safe exit from a basement. In Pontiac, as throughout Michigan, these installations are governed by strict codes based on the International Residential Code (IRC). The primary purpose is life safety, ensuring occupants can quickly and easily escape a fire or other emergency and that emergency responders can enter.

For a basement window to qualify as an egress in Pontiac, it must meet several key criteria. The clear opening-the unobstructed space when the window is open-must be at least 5.7 square feet for below-grade installations. This opening must also measure a minimum of 20 inches in width and 24 inches in height^{1 2 3}. The bottom of the opening (the sill) cannot be more than 44 inches above the finished basement floor, allowing most adults and children to climb out^{4 5}. Critically, the window must be fully operable from the inside without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge. Security bars or grates are permitted only if they include a quick-release mechanism operable from inside without tools.

The Role of Window Wells

Since basement windows are often below ground level, a window well is almost always necessary. This metal or masonry structure creates an open area outside the window. Pontiac code requires the well to have a minimum horizontal area of 9 square feet (such as 3 feet by 3 feet) with a minimum projection from the foundation of 36 inches^{1 6}. This provides enough space for a person to stand and climb out.

If the depth of the well exceeds 44 inches, a permanent ladder or steps must be installed. These steps cannot obstruct the window's opening path and must be securely attached^{3 6}. Proper drainage at the bottom of the well is also crucial to prevent water from pooling and leaking into your basement.

The Installation Process: What to Expect

Installing an egress window is a significant construction project that involves multiple skilled trades. Here's a typical breakdown of the steps a professional contractor will follow:

1. Planning and Permitting: The first step is consulting with the Pontiac Building Department to understand local amendments to the state code. Your contractor will then submit detailed plans and apply for the necessary building permit. This step is non-negotiable, as the work involves altering your home's foundation^{2 7 8}.
2. Excavation: The area outside the proposed window location is carefully excavated to the required depth and width for the window well.
3. Foundation Cutting: This is the most complex part. A precise opening is cut into your home's concrete or block foundation wall. For structural integrity, this often requires installing a steel lintel or header above the new opening to support the weight of the house above^{1 8}.
4. Window and Well Installation: The new egress window unit-typically a casement or sliding style that meets the size requirements-is sealed and installed into the new opening. The window well is then placed in the excavated hole and secured to the foundation.
5. Finishing and Inspection: The interior window trim is finished, and the exterior is properly flashed and sealed to prevent water intrusion. The site is graded for drainage. Finally, a city inspector will visit to ensure the installation meets all code requirements before the project is officially signed off⁷.

Key Factors Influencing Cost

The cost for an egress window installation in Pontiac can vary widely, from a few thousand dollars to a much higher sum for complex projects. Several key factors drive the price:

• Foundation Material: Cutting through poured concrete is different than cutting through concrete block, affecting labor time and techniques.
• Excavation Complexity: Easy, accessible soil is less expensive to dig than rocky ground or sites with many buried utilities. The depth required also impacts cost.
• Window and Well Specifications: Larger, high-quality windows and custom-sized or coated steel wells cost more than basic models.
• Structural Reinforcement: If the new opening requires significant steel support or foundation repair, costs will increase.
• Permit Fees: In Pontiac, permit fees can range from around $50 to over $500, depending heavily on the project's valuation and complexity, particularly when it involves cutting the foundation^{7 8 9}.

Choosing the Right Window Style for Egress

Not every window type is suitable for egress. The most common and compliant choices are:

• Casement Windows: These are hinged on the side and crank open outward, often providing the largest clear opening relative to their frame size. They are a top choice for meeting strict size codes.
• Sliding Windows: While they work, it's important to note that only one sliding panel typically opens, so the entire window unit must be sized significantly larger to achieve the required 5.7 sq. ft. clear opening from just one half.

Double-hung windows (which slide up and down) are generally not used for egress because the opening they create is only half the total window height, making it very difficult to achieve the required clear opening size from a basement-level position.

Why Professional Installation is Non-Negotiable

Given the structural, safety, and legal implications, a DIY egress window project is strongly discouraged for homeowners in Pontiac. Professional installers bring essential expertise:

• Code Mastery: They are up-to-date on Michigan and Pontiac-specific requirements, ensuring your project passes inspection the first time.
• Structural Knowledge: They understand how to properly cut and reinforce your foundation without compromising your home's integrity.
• Waterproofing Skills: Proper sealing and drainage are critical to preventing costly basement water damage down the road.
• Permit Navigation: They handle the often-complex permit application process with the local building department.
• Proper Equipment: They have the industrial-grade tools for excavation, concrete cutting, and heavy lifting that most homeowners do not.

Investing in a licensed, insured, and experienced professional for your basement egress window or egress window well installation is an investment in the safety, legality, and long-term value of your home.

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