Egress Windows
- Licensed & Insured
- 5-Star Rated
- Local Business
- Transferable Warranty
Egress Window Installation for Safer, Brighter Basements
A basement can be one of the most useful parts of a home, but only if people can get out of it safely. Egress windows are larger basement windows designed to serve as an emergency exit, giving everyone a second way out if the stairs are blocked. They also bring in daylight and fresh air that most basements lack. Whether you are adding a bedroom, finishing the basement or simply making the space safer, professional egress window installation is the step that makes a lower level truly livable.
Best Buy Waterproofing has served homeowners across Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia since 2017. Our in-house team installs egress windows along with window wells that include integrated steps, proper drainage and covers. Because we also handle basement waterproofing, we pay close attention to how water moves around every new opening. Each project starts with a free inspection, where we look at your foundation, your yard and your plans for the space before recommending anything.
Signs You Need Egress Windows
These are the most common reasons homeowners call us about egress windows or new basement windows.
Adding a Basement Bedroom
Local building codes generally require an egress window in any basement room used for sleeping.
Planning to Finish
You are finishing the basement and want it safe, bright and ready to use.
Only One Way Out
Your basement has a single staircase and no other exit in an emergency.
Dark, Closed-In Space
Small or no windows leave the basement gloomy, especially in short winter days.
Stale, Humid Air
The basement feels stuffy and damp because it has little ventilation.
Old, Failing Windows
Rusted frames, rotted wood, foggy glass or broken locks let in drafts and water.
Our Egress Window and Basement Window Services
Egress Window Installation
Egress window installation turns a small basement opening, or a solid section of foundation wall, into a window large enough for a person to climb through. Our crew plans the location with you, prepares the foundation, creates or enlarges the opening and installs a new egress window sized to help meet local code for bedrooms and other sleeping areas. We then seal the window carefully so the new opening stays weathertight. The result is a safe emergency exit that also lets in daylight and fresh air.
Egress windows work in poured concrete and block foundations. We look at the wall, the grade outside and what is on the other side before choosing a location, so the window fits both your floor plan and your yard.
Window Wells With Steps and Drainage
Most basement egress windows sit below the ground, so they need a window well outside to hold back soil and give a clear path up to the yard. Our window wells include integrated steps, so climbing out is straightforward in an emergency, even for children or older family members. The well also gives the window room to open fully and lets daylight reach the basement, turning a dark corner into a brighter, more inviting room.
Drainage is just as important as the well itself. We build proper drainage into every window well so rain and snowmelt do not collect against the glass. With our waterproofing background, we make sure water has somewhere to go instead of finding its way into your basement.
Window Well Covers
Window well covers keep leaves, debris, rain and snow out of the well while still letting light through to the basement. They help keep the window and drain clear, reduce the chance of small animals getting into the well and add a layer of safety for children and pets playing in the yard. We fit each cover to the well so it stays secure in bad weather.
Covers are designed to be opened from below, so the egress window keeps working as an emergency exit. We walk you through how yours operates before we leave.
Basement Window Replacement
Not every basement needs a new opening. Many simply need better basement windows. Old windows with rusted frames, rotted wood, foggy glass or worn locks let in drafts, water, pests and even intruders. Our basement window replacement service swaps them out for energy-efficient windows that help keep heat in during winter and cool air in during summer. We also repair damaged frames, glass and hardware when replacement is not needed, and we can handle custom configurations and glass block windows.
New windows improve comfort, security and curb appeal at the same time. They also pair well with waterproofing and basement finishing projects.
Egress Windows for Finished Basements
Egress windows are often part of a larger plan to turn the basement into living space. If you want a bedroom, guest suite or home office downstairs, egress windows give it a safe exit, daylight and fresh air. Because our team also handles basement waterproofing and basement finishing, we can make sure the foundation is dry, install the egress window and well, and then finish the room around it as one coordinated project.
Planning the work in the right order protects your new space and keeps the project moving with one team from start to finish.
Our Egress Window Installation Process
Free Inspection
We check your foundation, grade, drainage and plans for the space, then discuss window locations.
Your Recommendation
We walk you through what we found and what we recommend, with a firm price.
Window and Well Installation
Our crew creates the opening, installs the window, well, drainage and cover, then cleans up.
Warranty Protection
Your egress windows are backed by a transferable warranty that stays with the home.
Why Homeowners Choose Best Buy Waterproofing
Egress windows create a new opening in your foundation, so the work has to keep water out as well as let people out. Our waterproofing experience shapes every installation.
- Serving homeowners since 2017: Our team has worked in Mid-Atlantic basements and foundations since 2017.
- Licensed and insured: Licensed in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia, and fully insured.
- One in-house team: Waterproofing, egress windows and basement finishing, all handled by one team.
- Free inspection and financing: Inspections and estimates are free, and financing is available for qualified homeowners.
- Transferable warranty: Your warranty transfers with the home if you sell.
What Affects the Cost of Egress Windows?
We do not quote egress windows from a price list, because every foundation and yard is different. After your free inspection, you get a firm price based on what your home actually needs.
Foundation Type
Poured concrete and block walls are cut and prepared differently for a new opening.
New or Enlarged Opening
Creating a new opening takes more work than enlarging an existing basement window.
Depth Below Grade
Deeper windows need larger wells and more excavation outside the foundation.
Drainage Needs
Soil, grade and water conditions affect how drainage is built into the well.
Number of Windows
Each additional egress window or replacement window adds to the scope of work.
Access and Finishes
Landscaping, decks, walkways or finished interior walls can affect how the work is done.
Egress Windows FAQs
What is an egress window?
An egress window is a basement window large enough for a person to climb through in an emergency. It gives everyone a second way out of the basement if the stairs are blocked. Most egress windows sit below ground and are paired with a window well that has steps, drainage and a cover.
Do I need an egress window for a basement bedroom?
In most cases, yes. Local building codes across the Mid-Atlantic generally require an egress window in any basement room used for sleeping. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so we look at your plans during the free inspection and install egress windows designed to help meet local code for bedrooms.
Will an egress window make my basement leak?
A properly installed egress window should not. Every new opening needs careful sealing, and the window well needs proper drainage so water does not collect against the glass. Our team also handles basement waterproofing, so we plan for water around each egress window from the start.
What are window wells for?
Window wells hold back the soil around a below-grade window, give the window room to open and provide a clear path up to the yard. Our window wells include integrated steps for an easier exit and drainage to keep water away from the window. They also let daylight reach the basement.
Do I need a window well cover?
Covers are strongly recommended. Window well covers keep leaves, rain, snow and small animals out of the well, help protect children and pets, and keep the drain clear. They still let light through, and they are designed to open from below so the egress window keeps working as an exit.
Can you replace my existing basement windows?
Yes. Along with egress windows, we offer basement window replacement with energy-efficient windows, plus repair of damaged frames, glass and hardware. We also work with custom configurations and glass block. Replacing old basement windows can reduce drafts, improve security and make the basement more comfortable.
Can egress windows be added to a finished basement?
Usually, yes. We look at the wall from inside and outside to choose a location that works with your layout. Some interior finishes may need to be opened up around the new window. Because we also handle basement finishing, we can restore the area once the egress window is in.
How long does egress window installation take?
Timing depends on the foundation, how deep the window sits below grade and how many windows you need. Replacing an existing basement window is usually quicker than creating a new opening. You get a clear schedule with your recommendation before work begins.
Related Services
Popular service areas: Baltimore · Washington, DC · Arlington · Alexandria · Columbia · Frederick · Silver Spring · Wilmington · All service areas
Schedule Your Free Egress Window Inspection
Find out where an egress window fits in your basement and what it will take to install it. Book a free inspection for a clear recommendation and firm price, with financing available.