Egress Windows in Meridian, ID
We measure, supply and fit egress windows for bedrooms and basements in homes across Meridian, Idaho.
- Quotes in writing
- 16 areas covered
Meridian Window Pros fits egress windows in homes across Meridian. We measure each opening and make the new window to fit it.
The egress windows we fit are big enough for a person to climb out of in a fire, and for a firefighter to climb in. The U.S. Fire Administration says you could have less than 2 minutes to get out of a home fire once the smoke alarm sounds.
How big an egress window has to be
The City of Meridian Fire Department lists the sizes in its checklist for home daycares. It says each sleeping room needs at least one egress window with an opening of at least 5.7 square feet, at least 24 inches high and at least 20 inches wide. It says the bottom of the opening can be no more than 44 inches above the finished floor.
We measure the gap you can climb through with the window fully open, not the glass or the frame, before we tell you a window will pass.
The same checklist says egress windows from sleeping areas must open from the inside without separate tools. The latches on the egress windows we fit work by hand.
The window styles we use
We often suggest a casement window for an egress opening, because the whole window swings open and leaves more room to climb through. ENERGY STAR groups three window types that push out from the wall, often opening with a crank. It says casements open from the side, awning windows from the bottom and hopper windows from the top.
We also fit sliding windows and double-hung windows as egress windows when the opening is wide or tall enough. Only part of these windows opens, so we check the open gap against the sizes above before we order.
We fit egress windows with vinyl frames and with fiberglass frames.
Basement egress windows
If the opening you have now is too small, we tell you before we quote, because it has to be made bigger first.
Where the bottom of the window will sit below the ground outside, we talk with you about the well that has to be dug in front of it, so the window can open all the way.
Glass for a cold basement
Your quote from us lists two numbers for every window.
The first rating, the U-factor, tells you how fast heat passes through a window. The lower the U-factor, the less heat gets through, so you want it low.
The solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, is a rating for how much of the sun's heat gets through the glass. The lower the number, the less heat comes in.
For the Northern part of the U.S., ENERGY STAR recommends windows with a U-factor of 0.22 or less. ENERGY STAR says the cold inside surface of an old window pulls heat from your body, so you can feel chilly in a sweater with the thermostat at 70 degrees. With certified windows, it says, the glass on the inside stays warmer.
What egress windows cost
We price egress windows for your house once we've measured, and you get that quote in writing.
Older homes and lead paint
If your home was built before 1978, ENERGY STAR says the installer will likely have to take precautions because of possible lead paint. Under the EPA's lead paint rule for renovations, window replacement in those homes is always covered, and the firm doing the work must be certified.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The open size of each egress window, in inches, and its sill height from the floor.
- The exact U-factor and SHGC of each window, written into the contract.
- A line saying the windows are ENERGY STAR certified for where you live.
- The product warranty and the installation warranty. ENERGY STAR says a decent product warranty should be at least 10 years, and preferably 20 years or lifetime. It says installation warranties are typically less than 5 years.
On the day we fit them
ENERGY STAR says the installer should keep each window's NFRC label, which it calls basically a big sticker, for you, so you have an exact record of what went in, and we hand those labels over.
Before we leave, open and close every new window with us. ENERGY STAR says to check that no window is twisted or set in unevenly, and that casements should crank open easily.
Questions about egress windows in Meridian
What if my bedroom window sill is too high?
The City of Meridian Fire Department's daycare checklist says an approved piece of furniture or a platform, anchored in place, can be approved to sit in front of a window whose sill is over 44 inches. We can also look at whether a lower window will fit the wall.
Can a door count instead of an egress window?
The same checklist says an approved exit door is acceptable instead of an egress window. If the room already has a door straight to the outside, we tell you whether you still need a new window.
How many ways out should a bedroom have?
The U.S. Fire Administration says to find 2 ways out of every room and to make sure doors and windows are not blocked. We fit basement egress windows so a bedroom has that second way out.
Will new egress windows cut my energy bill?
ENERGY STAR says upgrading to ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by an average of 12%.
How long does it take to get an egress window?
ENERGY STAR says it is typical for high-performance windows to take 6 to 8 weeks, or even 12 weeks, to arrive after ordering, because each one is made to order. We give you a date when you order.
Is it cheaper to replace other windows at the same time?
ENERGY STAR says that to get the best price per window, it helps to plan to buy at least 10 windows to reduce installation costs. If you only need one egress window, we'll still fit it.
Do I need a permit for an egress window in Meridian?
The City of Meridian's handout on residential projects lists window size changes among the jobs that need a permit. The city also says its residential remodel permits cover changes to the inside or outside of an existing home, and can include replacing windows. We tell you before we start if your job changes any opening.
Get a quote for egress windows
Call us, or send the quote form with your ZIP code and how many windows you need. We'll measure, go through frame and glass options with you, and give you a written quote. To see the other windows we fit, go to the Meridian Window Pros home page.
Ready to talk about your window job?
Send the quote form with your ZIP code and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.