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Mid-Atlantic Garden Show February
26 - March 1, 2009
Toyota Arena
York Expo Center
York, PA
(more
info) |
What is a Basement Egress?
…and why do I
need one?
As many have said before…
‘if I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked…’ Many people
have inquired and asked the questions; “What is a basement
egress?” Perhaps more often asked is, “Do I need one?”
With these questions being
asked as often as they are, we thought it be best to clearly
state the answer, so as to simplify this issue for as many
people as possible.
Simply put, this issue of
egress all began when the International Building Code was
updated a few years ago, which now states that for any living
space below grade, now must have another way to exit that space,
other than the internal stairs. Now, if you already have a
living space in your basement, and don’t have a source of
egress, don’t panic, you are ‘grandfathered’ in. That said, if
you’d like to add a source of egress, let us know as we can
accommodate the installation into an already finished basement.
However, if you have an unfinished basement, and you are looking
to finish that basement, into a family room, a bedroom, or other
living space, then you will need to consider what type of egress
you will want to include in the planning and completion of that
remodeling project.
In addition, others choose
to add egress by installing a window and well system, for the
simple reason of wanting to add light, (about 80% more) and
ventilation to what traditionally has been a dark, damp, smelly
space. It is also worth mentioning, that recent studies show
that those who choose to invest in creating added living space
along with a basement egress system can actually add 10-15% of a
homes value when selling the property. Considering the current
state of the housing market, many homeowners see the value of
investing in this additional living space, knowing that they
will profit form the investment when they choose to sell the
property.
Many options are available
to meet the newly established code. You can choose from adding a
door, leading to external steps, with a Bilco enclosure. Or, if
the idea of having a beautifully enlightened room, with ample
ventilation appeals to you, you may want to consider the many
options that an egress window and egress window well offer.
Either way, the
professionals at Under Construction are prepared to assist you
in this important decision. Feel free to contact us to schedule
a free consultation to answer any questions you may have. We
know basements, and your basement no longer has to be that dark,
damp place. It can become a newly created living space, adding
value to your home and providing an economical solution to the
need for more space. Give us a call. We look forward to
answering your questions!
For the 11th straight year,
TUFF-N-DRY Waterproofing is the #1 brand of waterproofing
for new construction in North America. According to
the 2006 Builder Brand Study published by Builder
Magazine, TUFF-N-DRY beat all other brands in 'Brand
Familiarity'; 'Recency of Use'; 'Frequency of Use'; and most
important; 'Quality'! Thank you for using and contributing
to this success.
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