How an egress window install works
Most of the job happens outside and below ground. A typical install looks like this:
- Dig: soil is excavated outside the wall where the window well will go, after underground utilities are marked.
- Cut: the foundation is cut with a concrete saw to make a larger opening, with a header added where the wall needs support.
- Window: a window large enough to meet egress rules is set, sealed and flashed in the new opening.
- Well: a window well is set in front of it with gravel and a drain path at the bottom, plus a ladder or steps if the well is deep.
- Finish: the soil is backfilled and graded, and the inside is trimmed out with drywall returns or a wood or vinyl surround.
Louisville basements
Many Louisville homes, from older houses in the Highlands and Crescent Hill to suburban homes in Fern Creek and Okolona, have basements with only small windows set high on the wall. Those are fine for a storage or utility space, but they usually can’t serve as an emergency exit. Louisville also gets plenty of rain, so a new opening needs a well that drains and grading that sends water away from the house.
See egress window cost in Louisville for what affects the price, and when you need an egress window if you are not sure yet.
Permits and choosing a contractor
Cutting or enlarging an opening in a foundation wall usually needs a building permit. Read egress window permits in Louisville for a plain-English overview, and confirm with the permit office before work begins.
Before you hire anyone, ask for proof of insurance, confirm any local license or registration the job requires, and get a written estimate that spells out the window size and type, the well, drainage, interior finishing and cleanup.