Egress window installation in Montrose, CO

Colorado's residential building code, drawn from the International Residential Code, requires that any habitable basement room used as a sleeping area have at least one egress window meeting specific minimum dimensions. The window must provide a clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet (or 5.0 square feet at grade), with a minimum clear opening height of 24 inches, a minimum clear opening width of 20 inches, and a maximum sill height of 44 inches above the finished floor. The intent is simple: in a fire or emergency, every person in the home needs a viable exit from the room they are sleeping in.

Many finished basements in Montrose and surrounding communities were completed before these requirements were strictly enforced, or were finished without permits at all. When those spaces are used as bedrooms, they are technically non-compliant and present a genuine safety risk. Our team begins every egress project by measuring existing openings against current code requirements and identifying the scope of work needed to bring the space into compliance.

In most cases, the project involves cutting a larger rough opening in the foundation wall, installing the egress window, and adding a properly sized window well with drainage. The work is permitted and inspected, and we coordinate that process on your behalf.

An egress window without a properly sized window well is only part of the solution. The window well must be large enough for a person to escape through: at minimum 36 inches in the projection from the foundation wall, and wide enough to accommodate the window opening. The well bottom must be drained to prevent water pooling, which is especially important in Montrose where spring snowmelt can be substantial.

Window well covers are optional but strongly recommended. They keep debris and small animals out of the well, reduce water intrusion, and prevent accidental falls. Hinged or removable covers that can be pushed open from inside the well satisfy egress requirements while still providing protection. We offer several cover styles to suit different homes and budgets.

If you are planning a broader basement renovation, the egress window is the natural starting point. Once the opening is established and the rough opening is properly flashed and framed, subsequent finish work around the window can proceed correctly. Our basement windows page covers general below-grade window considerations, and our residential windows hub links to all related window types. Contact us to schedule your egress window consultation in Montrose.