Basement Window Specialists
Replace old, leaking basement windows and install code-compliant egress windows that bring light, ventilation, and safety to your below-grade spaces. Serving homeowners across the DMV.
Basement Window Services
From simple replacements to full egress installations with well excavation and permits, we handle every basement window need.
Code-compliant egress windows that meet IRC requirements for basement bedrooms and living spaces.
Old, rotting, or foggy basement windows replaced with modern, energy-efficient units.
Glass block basement windows provide security, privacy, and insulation. Mortared or silicone-set systems with optional venting panels.
Galvanized steel, composite, and stone window wells sized and installed for proper drainage and egress compliance.
Basement windows that keep water out. Proper flashing, sealant, drainage planes, and weep systems installed to prevent leaks -- critical in the DMV where.
Laminated glass, security bars, and reinforced frames that protect your basement from break-ins without sacrificing light or ventilation.
Code Requirements
Basement bedrooms and habitable spaces require egress windows that meet IRC standards. Here are the key requirements we ensure every installation meets.
Minimum Opening Area
5.7 sq ft
Net clear opening when window is fully open
Minimum Opening Height
24 inches
Clear height of the window opening
Minimum Opening Width
20 inches
Clear width of the window opening
Maximum Sill Height
44 inches
From finished floor to bottom of window opening
Window Well Minimum
9 sq ft
With minimum 36-inch projection from wall
Well Ladder Required
Over 44 inches deep
Permanent ladder or steps when well depth exceeds 44 inches
If you are finishing your basement or converting a below-grade space into a bedroom, you almost certainly need egress windows. Call us for a free code assessment -- we will inspect your basement and tell you exactly what is required for your jurisdiction.
The Expert Glass Advantage
We know the IRC egress requirements and local building codes for DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
Modern basement windows with double-pane insulated glass, warm-edge spacers, and low-E coatings dramatically reduce heat loss through your basement.
Proper installation includes waterproof flashing, drainage systems, and sealed window wells.
Transform dark, musty basements into bright, livable spaces. Larger egress windows and properly sized window wells bring in natural light and fresh air.
Warning Signs
Basement windows are often neglected until problems become serious. Watch for these warning signs that indicate replacement is overdue.
Wooden frames that are soft, crumbling, or visibly rotted. Metal frames that are rusted through. Vinyl frames that are cracked or warped.
Staining, mold, or active water seepage around basement window frames is a clear sign that seals have failed.
Feeling cold air around your basement windows means your heating dollars are escaping.
Condensation between double-pane glass layers means the sealed unit has failed. The insulating gas has escaped, and the window is no longer energy efficient.
Basement windows that are painted shut, rusted closed, or swollen with moisture are a safety hazard. In an emergency, every exit matters.
If your basement has bedrooms or living spaces without code-compliant egress windows, you are not just out of code -- you are risking lives.
Basement Window FAQ
Answers for homeowners considering basement window replacement or egress window installation in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland area.
Free basement window assessment including egress code review. We handle permits, installation, and inspections.
Fully Insured -- Serving DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland