Does an Egress Window Add Value to Your Home?

Key Takeaways: Does An Egress Window Add Home Value?

• Code Compliance: Iowa requires emergency escape and rescue openings in basements and sleeping rooms, with certain exceptions.
• Usable Basement Space: Proper egress may be required when you finish a basement or add a bedroom.
• Home Value: Compliant egress helps make finished basement space usable and more appealing when it's time to sell.
• Below-Grade Value: Appraisers still treat finished basement space separately from above-grade square footage.

If you're finishing your basement or adding a bedroom, you may need an egress window depending on how you plan to use the space. That brings up an important question: does an egress window add home value? Yes, but its value measures well beyond what it adds to an appraisal.

At Anchored Walls, we've worked in Iowa basements since 1978. In this guide, we'll explain where egress is required, how it affects the way you use your basement, and what that can mean for your home's value.

What Is an Egress Window?

Egress windows provide an emergency exit from a basement or sleeping room and give emergency crews access. The opening has to meet specific size and height requirements, including a minimum opening height of 24 inches, a minimum width of 20 inches, and a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor.

Iowa egress window requirements extend to the window well, including ladders or steps in deeper openings.

Egress Windows vs. Standard Basement Windows

The main difference is the opening's size and accessibility. Standard basement windows are often smaller or sit higher on the wall, while an egress window has to provide enough clear space for someone to get out in an emergency.

Installing egress may require enlarging the existing opening. In many Iowa basements, that means excavating outside the foundation, cutting through concrete or block, installing the window and well, and addressing drainage around the new opening.

Does an Egress Window Add Value to a Home?

Yes. An egress window adds value by helping your basement pass inspections when it's time to sell. That's especially important when you're finishing the basement or adding a bedroom. That value doesn't necessarily show up as additional square footage on an appraisal. Appraisers value finished basement space separately from above-grade space, and egress supports the utility and compliance of your finished basement.

How Much Value Does an Egress Window Add?

How much value an egress window adds depends on your home and how you plan to use the basement. Egress windows are a requirement in most states, making your finished space compliant for its intended use. The resale value of that space will still depend on your local market and comparable homes, so a universal ROI figure won't tell the whole story.

Installation Cost vs. Value Added

Installation costs vary based on the foundation, window location, and work needed around the opening. If your basement project requires egress, the installation cost is worth it to create finished space that meets local building codes.

How Iowa Code Affects the Value Calculation

If your basement has a bedroom, Iowa Code requires an emergency escape and rescue opening for that sleeping room. The IRC sets standards for these openings, and Iowa has adopted its own requirements and amendments.

Simply installing a larger basement window isn't enough. It has to meet the applicable egress requirements to provide the required emergency exit for the bedroom.

Des Moines Market Considerations

The local market affects how much finished basement space contributes to your home's value, so a national ROI figure won't tell you what the improvement is worth in Des Moines. If resale is part of your decision, a local real estate agent or licensed appraiser can use comparable homes in your area to give you a better idea of what that space may be worth.

How an Egress Window Adds Value Beyond Appraisal

There are many benefits of a compliant egress window:

• Emergency Access: An egress window gives someone in the basement a way out during an emergency and gives first responders another way in.
• Natural Light: A larger opening brings in more daylight into a basement that previously had a small window.
• Everyday Use: More light and a larger opening make a finished basement feel less closed in and more comfortable to spend time in.
• Buyer Appeal: A compliant basement is one less objection for your future buyer.

When planning egress window installation in Des Moines, we assess your basement and outside conditions before determining project requirements and commencing the work. Our goal is to help you enjoy these benefits, whether you plan to sell or live in your home long term.

Is an Egress Window Worth It for Your Basement?

If you're finishing your basement or adding a bedroom, you may be required to build an egress window.

At Anchored Walls, we've been working in Iowa basements since 1978. Now that we've answered the question, "Does an egress window add home value?", let's assess your space and provide you with a professional project estimate.