Egress Windows
Egress windows for legal bedrooms, safer exits, and more daylight downstairs.
Egress Windows in Utah
If your basement has bedrooms, or you’re planning to add them, egress windows aren’t optional. Utah follows the International Residential Code, which requires an egress window in every sleeping room. It’s a life-safety requirement that provides an emergency escape route if the interior stairs are blocked by fire.
Beyond code compliance, egress windows bring in daylight, fresh air, and a safer exit. They can make a basement bedroom feel much less buried.
Plan egress work as a complete scope: existing foundation assessment, any required engineering, excavation, the actual opening and window, well, drainage, finishes and inspections. Confirm the responsibilities in the project proposal.
Window Well Pricing in Utah: Planning Ranges
For homeowners comparing window well pricing in Utah, the useful question is whether you need a well only or a full egress window project. A well-only job is much smaller than cutting the foundation and finishing the opening inside.
| Scenario | Typical planning range | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Existing opening, replace or deepen the well | $1,500-$3,000 | Well depth, cover, drain tie-in, access, landscaping repair |
| New egress window with standard well | $3,500-$5,500 | Concrete cutting, window unit, excavation, drainage, trim |
| Oversized well or premium window | $5,000-$7,500 | Larger excavation, decorative well, better cover, deeper basement |
| Multiple bedroom windows in one project | $3,000-$5,000 each after the first | Setup costs are shared across the project |
For the detailed code and pricing breakdown, read the egress window requirements and window well pricing guide. If the room will be a sleeping room, also review our basement bedrooms page so egress, closets, lighting, and comfort get planned together.
What We Offer
Complete Egress Window Installation
- Foundation cutting - precision diamond-blade cutting through poured concrete or concrete block foundation walls. Clean cuts with no cracking or structural compromise
- Excavation - digging the window well area to proper depth and width, with room for the required well dimensions
- Window well installation - corrugated steel, composite, or precast concrete wells. Standard semicircular or oversized rectangular wells available
- Egress window - vinyl or fiberglass window unit sized to meet IRC minimum opening requirements. Casement-style windows (crank-out) are most popular because they provide maximum opening area
- Window well cover - clear polycarbonate cover that lets in light while keeping out rain, snow, debris, and children. Load-rated to support foot traffic
- Window well drainage - gravel bed at the bottom of the well connected to a French drain or daylight drain. In areas with high water tables, we add a window well drain tied to the perimeter drain system
- Interior finish - drywall returns around the new window, trim, and paint to match the room
- Waterproofing - membrane applied between the window frame and foundation to prevent water intrusion
Code Requirements (IRC)
Every egress window in Utah must meet these minimums:
- Minimum net clear opening area: 5.7 square feet
- Minimum net clear opening width: 20 inches
- Minimum net clear opening height: 24 inches
- Maximum sill height: 44 inches above the finished floor
- Window well: If the bottom of the well is more than 44 inches below grade, the well must have a permanently attached ladder or steps
Most casement windows need to be at least 36” x 24” (opening size, not frame size) to meet the 5.7 square foot requirement. We verify exact dimensions based on the specific window manufacturer’s specs.
Window Well Options
- Standard corrugated steel - galvanized steel, semicircular shape. Most affordable, functional, and code-compliant. Available in various depths (36”, 48”, 60”)
- Composite/fiberglass wells - Rockwell, Monarch, or Bilco brand. More attractive than steel, available in earth tones, won’t rust. Modular design allows custom depths
- Precast concrete block wells - stacked concrete blocks with a natural stone look. Premium option that blends with landscaping
- Oversized wells - wider and deeper than minimum, allowing more light and a less claustrophobic feel. We recommend oversizing whenever lot conditions allow
Egress Window Styles
- Casement (crank-out) - our default recommendation. Single hinge on one side, opens fully for maximum clear opening. Easiest to use in an emergency
- Sliding - two-panel horizontal slider. Requires a larger frame to achieve the same opening area as a casement
- In-swing hopper - hinged at the bottom, opens inward. Works well in tight exterior situations but takes up interior space when open
Our Process
Step 1: Site Assessment
We inspect the foundation wall (thickness, material, condition), check exterior conditions (soil type, grade, landscaping, underground utilities), and verify the proposed location meets code requirements for the interior room.
Step 2: Utility Locate and Permits
We call Blue Stakes (Utah’s 811 service) to mark underground utilities before any digging. We submit for building permits, egress window installation requires a permit in all Utah municipalities.
Step 3: Installation
Exterior excavation → foundation cutting → window frame installation → window well placement → drainage system → waterproofing → backfill → interior finishing. A single egress window installation takes 2-3 days. Multiple windows are typically completed within a week.
Step 4: Inspection
The building inspector verifies window opening dimensions, sill height, well depth, ladder (if required), and drainage. We schedule and attend the inspection.
Cost Range
| Egress Window Installation | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Single egress window (standard well, standard window) | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Single egress window (oversized well, premium window) | $5,000–$7,500 |
| Each additional window (same project) | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Window well only (window opening exists) | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Window well cover (polycarbonate, load-rated) | $150–$400 |
Factors that increase cost:
- Rocky soil - common in bench areas of Sandy, Draper, Cottonwood Heights, and along the Wasatch foothills. Rock excavation adds $500–$2,000 per window
- Deep excavation - deeper wells (for below-grade rooms with low floor-to-grade height) require more digging and larger wells
- Concrete block foundations - cutting through CMU block requires different techniques than poured concrete
- Landscaping restoration - if the well is in a landscaped area, restoring plants, sod, or hardscape adds cost
- Window well drain to daylight - running a drain line to a lower-grade area for drainage adds $500–$1,500
Why Choose Us for Egress Windows
- Site-specific planning - foundation type, excavation access, soil, drainage, and interior finish work should be reviewed before the installation is priced.
- Structural integrity - foundation cutting must be done correctly to avoid compromising the wall. We use engineered headers and proper sizing to maintain structural load paths
- Waterproofing expertise - the junction between a new window and an existing foundation is a potential water intrusion point. We use flashing membranes, sealants, and drainage systems to prevent leaks
- Code knowledge - we know the exact IRC requirements and verify every installation meets them before calling for inspection
- Clean work - foundation cutting generates concrete dust and debris. We contain it with dust barriers and leave your basement clean
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an egress window if the room isn’t a bedroom? Emergency escape and rescue requirements can apply at basement level as well as to sleeping rooms, with project-specific exceptions and conditions. Do not assume that a room without a bedroom label eliminates the basement’s requirements. Confirm the actual adopted provisions, proposed use and opening design with the local authority. Future bedroom use needs its own compliance review.
Can you install an egress window in a concrete block foundation? Yes. We cut through CMU (concrete masonry unit) block foundations regularly. The process involves cutting the block, installing a steel lintel above the opening for structural support, and framing the window within the new opening. Slightly more involved than poured concrete, but a routine installation for us.
What if there’s a utility line where I want the window? We work around utilities. Gas lines, water lines, and electrical conduit can often be rerouted to accommodate a window. Sewer laterals are more difficult to move. During the site assessment, we identify any conflicts and plan accordingly, sometimes shifting the window location by a few feet solves the problem.
How much light does an egress window let in? Significantly more than a standard basement window. A code-minimum egress window is 5.7 square feet of opening, the window frame itself is even larger. Combined with a light-colored well liner and a clear cover, it’s comparable to a small first-floor window. Oversized wells amplify the effect.
Will an egress window affect my foundation’s structural integrity? Cutting a foundation opening changes the wall and needs project-specific assessment. Resolve opening size, reinforcement, loads and any required support before cutting, with engineering and permits where required. A steel lintel is not a universal solution for every foundation.
How do you prevent water from coming in through the window well? Three layers of protection: (1) a gravel drainage bed at the bottom of the well, typically 6-12 inches of washed gravel over a drain pipe; (2) waterproofing membrane between the window frame and foundation wall; and (3) a window well cover that deflects rain and snow. In high-water-table areas, we connect the well drain to the home’s perimeter drainage system or a dedicated sump.
Add light and safety to your basement. Call 801-515-3473 for a free egress window estimate.
Related basement planning pages.
This service is usually one part of a larger basement plan. These pages help compare scope, cost, service areas, and the next estimate step.
Utah Basement Finishing Guide
See how full basement projects are planned, permitted, and built.
Basement Remodeling Utah
Compare finishing raw space with remodeling an existing basement.
Utah Basement Cost Guide
Use current planning ranges before comparing contractor bids.
Basement Cost Calculator
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Basement Finishing Near You
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Common questions about egress windows.
Useful answers before you compare bids or request a measured basement estimate.
How much does an egress window cost in Utah?
Most standard egress window and window well installations in Utah land around $3,500 to $5,500. Oversized wells, rocky soil, premium windows, deep excavation, or complex drainage can push the project higher.
What does window well pricing include?
A complete window well price should account for excavation, the well itself, gravel drainage, cover, backfill, access, and landscape repair. If the opening must also be cut into the foundation, that becomes a full egress window project.
Do I need an egress window if the room isn't a bedroom?
Basement-level and sleeping-room escape/rescue provisions both need review, with applicable exceptions and the actual proposed use. A room label alone does not establish that no opening is required. Daylight and future use are additional planning considerations.
How do you prevent water from coming in through the window well?
The installation should include a gravel drainage bed, proper waterproofing at the frame and foundation, and a window well cover. In higher-risk areas, the well drain can tie into a perimeter drain or sump system.