What Happens During Egress Window Installation?
Most homeowners don’t mind paying for an egress window. What they hate is uncertainty: How messy is this? How long will my yard be torn up? What happens if it rains mid-project? Will my finished basement survive the process?
Here’s the real play-by-play of a typical egress window installation so you know exactly what to expect — before, during, and after. (If you’re still weighing whether you need one, start with our Ohio egress requirements guide. If cost is the question, see our pricing breakdown.)
What Happens Before Installation Day?
Good egress projects are won or lost in the planning phase. Before any digging happens, your installer should cover all of this:
Confirm the room layout and goals. Are you creating a legal bedroom? Adding light to a finished family room? The window placement depends on how you’ll use the space, where furniture will go, and which wall gives the best exterior access.
Verify code requirements. The window must meet clear opening minimums (typically 5.7 square feet in Ohio), and the sill can’t exceed 44 inches from the finished floor. If you’re planning to add flooring, that changes the sill height calculation — this has to be planned together.
Design the window well. The well needs to satisfy clearance and access requirements for egress compliance. Size, material, and placement are all decided before ordering.
Plan drainage deliberately. This is not optional. The window well is a collection point for rain, runoff, and snowmelt. A drainage plan appropriate to your site conditions is part of the design, not an afterthought.
Pull permits. In most Ohio jurisdictions, you need a permit when cutting or enlarging a foundation opening. We handle all permit applications and inspection scheduling.
What Happens on Installation Day?
Step 1: Protect the home and work area. We lay drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and protection for your flooring and furniture near the work zone. Dust from foundation cutting is real — we contain it.
Step 2: Excavate to the foundation wall. Soil is removed from outside to expose the foundation where the window will go. The dig creates space for the window well. Access conditions (fences, landscaping, patios, utility lines) affect how quickly this goes.
Step 3: Cut or enlarge the foundation opening. This is the loudest part. We use precision cutting equipment to create a clean, square rough opening in the concrete or block wall. The opening is sized to meet code requirements while maintaining structural integrity. If a structural header or lintel is needed, it’s installed now.
Step 4: Install the egress window. The window unit is set, leveled, fastened, and sealed. Proper sealing at this stage is the difference between a dry basement and a future water problem. We use waterproofing methods designed for below-grade conditions — this isn’t the same as sealing an above-grade replacement window.
Step 5: Install the window well. The well is positioned, anchored to the foundation, and aligned to provide the clearances required for emergency exit. If the well depth requires a permanent ladder or steps, those are installed now.
Step 6: Drainage and backfill. This is where long-term performance lives or dies. We install drainage appropriate to your site conditions — the specific approach depends on your home’s existing drainage systems, soil type, and water table. The well is then backfilled and graded.
Step 7: Interior finish work. Inside, we frame out the new window opening, add trim, and work to match your basement’s interior. For unfinished basements this is straightforward. For finished spaces, we patch drywall and do our best to blend with existing walls.
How Long Does Egress Window Installation Take?
Most installations are typically completed in a single day. The real timeline depends on whether you’re enlarging an existing opening or cutting from scratch, access and excavation difficulty, drainage complexity, and whether a building inspection is required before backfill (some jurisdictions require this mid-project).
Complex projects — deep wells, difficult access, highly finished basements — occasionally extend into a second day.
How Should You Prepare for Installation?
Clear the interior area near where the window will be installed. Move furniture, storage, and anything breakable at least 6 feet from the wall. Keep pets and children away from both the interior and exterior work zones. Expect noise during the foundation cutting phase — it’s comparable to a concrete saw and typically lasts under an hour. Ask your installer where excavated soil will be staged and whether removal is included. Confirm the rain contingency plan if weather is uncertain.
What Should You Check After Installation?
After your egress window is installed, verify these things: the window opens and closes smoothly with the full clear opening unobstructed, the window well has visible drainage material at the bottom, the well is securely anchored and doesn’t shift when you push on it, interior trim is sealed and finished to your expectations, and the installer has scheduled any required building inspections.
After the first heavy rain, check the window well. You should see water draining away, not pooling. If water sits in the well, the drainage needs attention — call your installer promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installation damage my landscaping?
There will be disruption in the dig zone — typically a 6-to-8-foot radius from the window. We work carefully to minimize impact, and we backfill and grade the area when finished. Any plants or shrubs directly over the dig zone should be transplanted beforehand.
Can you install egress windows in winter?
Yes. Frozen ground makes excavation harder and slower, but we install year-round across Ohio. Winter installations may take slightly longer due to ground conditions, but we don’t ask customers to wait until spring if they need the work done.
Will I get water in my basement during installation?
We take precautions to prevent this. Any time you open a foundation wall, there’s brief exposure, but we seal the window the same day the opening is cut — we don’t leave open holes overnight. Proper flashing and sealing during installation is a core part of our process.
What if you hit a utility line during excavation?
We call 811 (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) before every project to have underground utilities marked. This is standard procedure and required by law. If unexpected utilities are found, we adjust the plan before digging — not after.
Is the installation process different for a basement walkout?
Yes — a basement walkout is a larger project involving a full door opening, exterior stairs, retaining walls, and more extensive excavation. The core principles (planning, drainage, structural integrity) are the same, but the scope and timeline are bigger.
Note: This article is general information. Code requirements and enforcement can vary by jurisdiction and project conditions. Always confirm requirements with your local building department or a qualified professional.
Related Reading
- Ohio Egress Window Requirements (Full Code Guide)
- Egress Window Cost in Ohio: Real Pricing Breakdown
- Window Wells in Ohio: Types, Covers, and Drainage
- Glass Block vs. Egress Windows: Which Do You Need?
Want a clean install designed to pass inspection and stay dry? Get your free estimate and we’ll walk your specific site conditions before quoting.
Cleveland: (216) 941-5470 | Akron: (330) 449-0513 | Columbus: (614) 852-4608 | Cincinnati: (513) 776-1805