Egress window installation
A complete egress window job covers the opening, the window, the well and the paperwork. Here's what each piece involves in a La Crosse basement.
Most egress projects in La Crosse County start with a basement that has small, high windows and a room someone wants to sleep in. The installer either enlarges an existing window opening or cuts a new one, then builds a well outside so the window can actually be used as an exit.
Which window style works best?
| Style | How it opens | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Casement | Hinged on one side, cranks outward | Gives the most clear opening for its size; the well has to be wide enough for the sash to swing |
| Horizontal slider | One sash slides sideways | Only about half the unit opens, so the window has to be wider overall |
| Single or double hung | Sash slides up | Needs a tall opening; less common in basements |
Whatever the style, Wisconsin requires the clear opening to be at least 20 by 24 inches with nothing, including stops and crank arms, cutting into that space. The window has to open from inside without tools or removing a sash.
Where should the window go?
The best spot is usually the wall facing a yard with room for a 36-inch-deep well, away from the gas meter, the electric service, the furnace or water heater vents, and the driveway. On corner lots and narrow city lots near downtown, setbacks and neighbors' foundations can limit choices. A walkout or a hillside lot up a coulee may let the window sit closer to grade, which means a shallower well.
What else can change the job?
- Whether the wall is poured concrete, concrete block or stone
- How far below grade the floor is, which sets the depth of the well
- Ductwork, pipes, wiring or a finished wall on the inside
- Patios, sidewalks, landscaping or a downspout in the way outside
- Whether the home was built before 1978, which brings in lead-safe work practices for window work
How long does it take?
A single egress window on an unfinished basement is often a one- or two-day job once the permit and utility locate are done. Finished basements, block or stone walls, and deep wells take longer. Add time for inspections, which your city or village schedules.
The installer prices the job after measuring the room, looking at the wall from both sides and checking what's buried along the foundation. We don't quote prices, and any number you hear over the phone before someone sees the basement is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can an existing basement window be made into an egress window?
Often, yes. The installer cuts the opening down, and sometimes wider, so a code-size window fits, then adds a proper well. The original window location is usually the easiest place to start because the wall already has a header there.
Can egress windows be installed in a La Crosse winter?
Many installers work year-round when the ground can be dug. Frozen soil and heavy snow can slow outside work, so ask how they handle it before you schedule.
Related services
- Foundation cutting and enlarging openings
- Egress window wells
- Window well covers
- Basement bedroom code help
More background: La Crosse egress window guide.
Finishing a basement bedroom, or told your basement window won't pass?
Call now and a local egress window installer will talk through your basement with you.