Top Egress Window Replacement & Installation in Waterford, Michigan Ranked

Adding an egress window to your basement is one of the most significant home safety and value upgrades you can make. These specialized windows provide a critical emergency escape route and allow natural light into lower-level living spaces. In Waterford, this process involves navigating specific local building codes and permit requirements. This guide will help you understand the key regulations, costs, and steps for a compliant egress window or basement window installation, connecting you with the information needed to plan your project with confidence.

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

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

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Understanding Egress Window Requirements in Michigan

An egress window is not just any basement window. It is a legally defined emergency exit that must meet strict size and operational standards set by the Michigan Residential Code (IRC) and enforced locally by Waterford Township ¹. These rules are designed to ensure that occupants, including firefighters with equipment, can quickly and easily escape or be rescued from a basement bedroom or living area in an emergency.

The core requirements focus on the window's dimensions, how it opens, and the surrounding area if it's below ground level. Compliance is mandatory for any basement space legally defined as a bedroom, but many homeowners choose to install these safety windows in family rooms or other finished areas for peace of mind and to meet code if they ever decide to convert the space to a bedroom ².

Key Code Specifications for Waterford Homes

Before you start shopping for windows or contacting installers, familiarize yourself with the non-negotiable dimensions and features required by code. Getting these details right from the start is crucial for passing inspection.

Window Opening Size:

• Minimum Width: 20 inches ^{1 3}.
• Minimum Height: 24 inches ^{1 3}.
• Minimum Clear Opening Area: 5.7 square feet (5.0 square feet for windows at grade level) ^{1 3}. This is the net open space when the window is fully opened, not the size of the window frame.

Window Placement and Operation:

• Maximum Sill Height: The bottom of the clear opening cannot be more than 44 inches above the finished floor ^{1 4}.
• Ease of Operation: The window must be openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge. Simple latches or cranks are standard ^{3 5}.

The Critical Role of Window Wells

If your basement window is below the surrounding ground level (below grade), a window well is required to create the accessible escape path. The well itself has its own set of code requirements to ensure it is safe and functional.

Window Well Dimensions and Features:

• Minimum Projection & Area: The well must provide at least 9 square feet of horizontal area (e.g., 3 feet by 3 feet) to allow space for exiting ^{1 6}.
• Ladder or Steps: A permanent ladder or steps are required if the well depth exceeds 44 inches. These steps cannot obstruct the window's opening ^{3 4}.
• Clearance Under Decks: If a window well is located under a deck or porch, there must be a minimum vertical clearance of 48 inches from the top of the well to the bottom of the deck joists to allow a person to climb out ⁴.

Navigating Waterford Township Permits and Inspections

Skipping the permit process for an egress window installation in Waterford is a serious mistake. Unpermitted work can lead to fines, difficulties when selling your home, and, most importantly, may result in an unsafe installation. The permit process ensures your project is reviewed and inspected for compliance with all life-safety codes ^{7 8}.

Steps to Secure Your Permit:

1. Contact Waterford Township: Your first step should be to visit the Waterford Township website or call the Building Department. Confirm you have the latest application forms and understand which specific code editions they are enforcing ⁹.
2. Prepare Your Application: You or your contractor will need to submit detailed plans. These should illustrate the proposed window's size and location, the well design, and the placement of any required ladder ⁷.
3. Pay Permit Fees: Based on the project's complexity, permit fees in the Waterford area typically range from $50 to $500 ⁷.
4. Schedule Inspections: After installation, the township will require inspections-usually a framing inspection before the well is backfilled and a final inspection to approve the completed work ^{7 5}.

What Influences the Cost of Installation?

The total investment for an egress window project can vary widely. It's not just the price of the window itself; it's a complex modification to your home's foundation and landscaping. Understanding the cost components helps in budgeting effectively.

A full egress window installation, including the window unit, labor, excavation, a code-compliant window well, and a ladder, typically ranges from $2,000 to over $6,000 ⁷. The final price depends on:

• Foundation Work: Cutting through poured concrete vs. block foundations can change labor intensity and cost.
• Excavation Depth: Deeper basements require more excavation and taller, more expensive wells and ladders.
• Window Well Material: Options include galvanized steel, polymer, or stone/block masonry.
• Window Quality: The type of egress window (e.g., casement, sliding) and its energy efficiency features.
• Interior Finishing: Costs to repair and finish the interior wall around the new window.

Choosing the Right Window and Well System

Selecting products designed specifically for egress applications will streamline compliance. Look for windows marketed as "egress" models, as they are manufactured to meet the standard size requirements. For the well, prefabricated polymer or steel kits are popular as they are designed to meet the 9 sq. ft. area requirement and often include integrated ladder rungs ⁶.

Consider also how the window opens. Casement-style windows that crank open fully often provide the largest clear opening relative to their frame size. Proper drainage at the bottom of the window well is also a critical installation detail to prevent water intrusion into your basement ^{10 11}.

Why Professional Installation is Recommended

While a highly skilled DIYer might tackle this project, the stakes are high. Mistakes can compromise your home's structural integrity, lead to chronic water leaks, or-most critically-result in a non-compliant and unsafe emergency exit. Professional installers familiar with Waterford codes will handle the precise concrete cutting, structural support, waterproofing, and coordination with the building department for permits and inspections ^{10 11}. Their expertise can prevent costly errors and ensure the safety and legality of your new basement escape route.

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