The nice part about having a home in the Midwest is you can use your basement as livable space. However, some older homes were perhaps built without sufficient egress window wells. To help you meet building code requirements, Streamline Landscaping of Chicago, IL, is here to help with your professional residential or commercial egress window wells project.
Streamline Landscaping is a locally owned Chicago landscaper. Our full scope of residential & commercial landscaping & hardscaping services include: artificial turf, drainage, patios, retaining walls, sod & seeding, outdoor lighting, planting, excavation, pool removal, egress window wells, and permeable pavers.
We serve the greater Chicago area and the bordering communities of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.
An egress window well is an excavated area outside a basement window that allows people to escape in an emergency. It gives the window enough clearance to open fully and provides space to climb out safely.
Egress windows are required by building codes for many basement bedrooms and finished living spaces. They provide a safe exit during emergencies, such as a fire, and allow firefighters to enter. They also bring more natural light into the basement.
Many codes follow International Residential Code standards, which generally require a well with at least 9 square feet of floor area and a minimum 36-inch width and projection. Wells deeper than 44 inches typically need a permanent ladder or steps. Local requirements vary, so they are reviewed for your specific project.
Yes. Proper drainage keeps water from collecting in the well and leaking into your basement. Drainage is especially important in Chicago, where heavy rain and clay soil can cause water to pool. Covers can also help keep out rain, snow, and debris.
Yes. Egress window wells are commonly added when homeowners finish a basement. The project includes excavation, well installation, and drainage. Window cutting and installation may be part of the broader project scope.
Most installations take one to a few days. Timing depends on soil conditions, depth, and site access.
Request a free estimate online. Get your free egress window well estimate.
Or we can get you scheduled for a future project time that works for you. Contact Streamline Landscaping today to request a free no hassles, no obligation project estimate:
