Ever consider how you might gain safe exit from your home’s basement if there was a fire or other emergency situation? Most homes on Long Island only have the single staircase entry/exit design and were not built with livable space in mind. Most windows in these basements, only measuring 32-by-14 inches, are not suitable for safe exit in case of an emergency. How will you get out safely, even if you were only in the basement temporarily to put Christmas decorations away or put the laundry in the dryer? Egress (exit) window systems are becoming an increasingly popular choice for home renovation, expanding livable space in our Long Island homes and general peace of mind for keeping our families safe.
Glen Dauman and Randy Goldbaum, owners of Long Island Egress Pros are leading the way with this critical home improvement transformation, installing, not only egress window systems in basements across Long Island, but basement walk-outs, Bilco doors, window wells and doggy doors.
Especially during the past two years, people have been spending a lot of time at home, reassessing their living space, making room for everyone to live and play comfortably within the livable space.
“Homeowners are already utilizing as much living space as we can,” Goldbaum said. “They aren’t making more property, so people are expanding into their basements.”
Federal and state codes say your basement must have two areas of egress.
Why should I get an egress window?
An egress opening is designed to be large enough for a firefighter to climb in or a person to climb out of in an emergency. U.S. building codes require each bedroom of a home to have an emergency exit window, with minimum sizes specified.
“We are the only company in New York where all we do is egress,” Goldbaum said. “Other companies do something else who also do egress; one competitor is a waterproofer who also does egress; another does cesspools, but also does egress.”
Installing an egress opening is not a job for your handyman; it is a job for an expert in the field who knows what to do to and how to do it. Long Island Egress Pros are experienced, licensed and insured.
More natural light
Before egress windows, most basements had little access to natural light. An egress window can allow much more light into this space. This in turn can save you in power bills during the day and will make the entire feel of your basement change. Many of our clients state that they feel like they are on any other floor of the home. The light changes the entire feel of a dark, sub-level room.
Safety
More than 6,000 Americans die in fires annually and this should be a major cause for concern for any homeowner or basement living tenants.
“We really care; we really want to make sure your family is safe and that you have a window system that you can enjoy, getting the most out of your living space,” Goldbaum said. “The number one reason people buy egress is safety.”
By adding an egress window, you will be protecting your family by ensuring they can get out in case of a fire or any other emergency.
Property value
Homeowners are always looking for additional features before buying. Egress windows are often sough after by new home buyers and required by code. Homes with egress windows have a higher value according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
“Most people are re-doing their basements so their children have a play area,” Goldbaum said.
Egress windows make your square footage value increase too. More livable square footage equals more value to your home.
“Our team shows up; we hand-dig the (window) well,” Goldbaum said.
Code says the windowsill cannot be lower than 18 inches from the interior floor and cannot exceed 44 inches.
“We dig down by hand to sand and take away all of the waste. We install a dry well, waterproof the area; it is sealed tight,” Goldbaum said. “The whole process is done within one day.”
Visit www.egresspros.com to learn more about egress solutions for your home or business or stop by their showroom at 21A Edison Ave., in West Babylon on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
