Make sure your basement egress windows are up to code and meet all requirements.
If you're planning to finish your basement in the South Metro Twin Cities and want to include a bedroom, you're probably going to need an egress window. This isn't just a suggestion—it's a Minnesota building code requirement that protects your family's safety and ensures your basement remodel meets legal standards.
At Country Creek Builders, we've completed over 586 basement finishing projects throughout Lakeville, Apple Valley, Rosemount, and the surrounding South Metro communities. We've helped hundreds of homeowners navigate the egress window requirements, and we're here to guide you through everything you need to know.
An egress window is a window large enough for a person to climb through in case of emergency. Think of it as a second exit route if the primary stairway is blocked by fire or other hazards. While any basement can benefit from the natural light and ventilation an egress window provides, Minnesota law requires them in any basement bedroom.
The word "egress" simply means "exit," and these windows serve as critical escape routes that can save lives during emergencies.
When finishing a basement in Minnesota, you must comply with the Minnesota State Building Code. Here are the specific requirements for egress windows:
Minimum opening dimensions:
These dimensions ensure that firefighters in full gear can enter through the window and that occupants of all sizes can exit quickly during an emergency.
If your egress window is below grade (which most basement windows are), you'll need a properly sized window well:
While meeting building codes is essential, egress windows provide benefits that go far beyond legal requirements:
In a fire, every second counts. Smoke and flames can block stairways within minutes, making a basement bedroom a potential trap. An egress window provides a critical second exit that could save lives. This is especially important if your basement will be used by children, elderly family members, or guests who might be sleeping when an emergency occurs.
Basements without egress windows can feel dark and cave-like. A properly sized egress window floods your basement with natural light, transforming it from a dungeon-like space into a genuine living area. This makes basement bedrooms, home offices, and recreation areas far more pleasant and functional.
Minnesota requires careful attention to radon mitigation when finishing basements, as our state has high radon levels. While egress windows aren't a substitute for proper radon mitigation systems, they do provide valuable ventilation that improves overall air quality and reduces that "basement smell" many homeowners struggle with.
A legally compliant finished basement with proper egress windows adds significant value to your home. Conversely, a basement bedroom without egress windows is a code violation that will be flagged during home inspections, potentially killing a sale or forcing expensive corrections when you're trying to close.
One of the most common questions we hear is: "How much does an egress window cost?" The answer depends on several factors, but here's what South Metro homeowners can typically expect:
$3,500 to $8,000 for a complete egress window installation, including:
Foundation type: Poured concrete is easier to cut than concrete block, affecting labor costs.
Depth of excavation: Deeper window wells require more excavation and larger wells.
Drainage challenges: Poor soil drainage may require more extensive drainage solutions.
Window quality: Basic vs. high-efficiency windows with better insulation.
Interior finishing: Framing, drywall, trim, and painting around the new window.
Landscaping restoration: Costs to restore areas disturbed during excavation.
Consider installing egress windows during your initial basement finishing project rather than as an afterthought. When we're already working on your basement remodeling project, we can coordinate excavation, installation, and finishing more efficiently, potentially saving you money compared to a separate project later.
Understanding what's involved in egress window installation helps you prepare for your basement finishing project. Here's how Country Creek Builders approaches this critical component:
We begin by determining the optimal location for your egress window based on:
We then obtain the necessary building permits from your local municipality. This ensures your installation meets all code requirements and passes inspections.
We carefully excavate the area outside where your window will be installed, creating space for the window well. This involves:
Using specialized equipment, we cut an opening in your foundation wall. This is precision work that requires:
We install your egress window and window well, ensuring:
Critical to preventing water problems, we install:
Interior and exterior finishing includes:
The final step is scheduling the required building inspection to verify code compliance. At Country Creek Builders, we take pride in passing inspections the first time thanks to our attention to detail and 25+ years of experience with Minnesota building codes.
Over our decades of experience with basement remodeling in the South Metro, we've seen these common mistakes that homeowners and inexperienced contractors make:
Some homeowners finish their basement without egress windows, then discover they can't legally use a room as a bedroom. Adding an egress window after finishing is far more expensive and disruptive than including it in your initial plan. You'll need to tear out finished walls, deal with dust and debris in your completed space, and coordinate access through finished areas.
Poor window placement can create furniture layout problems, look awkward from the exterior, or conflict with utilities and structural elements. Professional planning during the design phase prevents these issues.
Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles and heavy rains make proper drainage absolutely critical. Window wells without adequate drainage become ice-filled hazards in winter and water collection points during spring thaws. This water can then seep into your basement, causing the very problems you're trying to avoid.
Cheap windows save money upfront but cost more in the long run through:
At Country Creek Builders, we specify quality windows appropriate for below-grade installation, ensuring they'll perform well for decades.
Cutting into your foundation is not a DIY project. Improper installation can compromise:
Working with experienced professionals like our team ensures your egress window is installed correctly the first time.
Minnesota has some of the highest radon levels in the nation, and the State Building Code requires attention to radon when finishing basements. While egress windows and radon mitigation systems serve different purposes, they're both important considerations for your basement project.
When finishing a basement, Minnesota requires:
Egress windows provide ventilation that can help reduce radon levels, though they're not a substitute for proper radon mitigation systems. The combination of:
Creates the healthiest possible basement environment for your family.
Country Creek Builders coordinates all aspects of code-compliant basement finishing, including both egress windows and radon considerations, so you don't have to worry about whether you're meeting Minnesota's requirements.
The specific egress window strategy depends on your basement design:
If you're creating one basement bedroom, you'll typically need one egress window in that room. We position it to:
Each bedroom requires its own egress window. For basements with multiple bedrooms, we carefully plan window placement to:
Even in open-concept designs, the bedroom area must have its own egress window. We help you design layouts where:
If your basement has a walkout with exterior door access, you may not need egress windows for bedrooms in the walkout area, as the door serves as the emergency exit. However, bedrooms on the opposite side of the basement from the walkout typically still require egress windows. We evaluate your specific layout to determine exact requirements.
No, egress windows are only required for bedrooms under Minnesota code. However, many homeowners choose to install them anyway because:
No, egress windows are designed as emergency exits, not primary entrances. Your basement should have proper stairway access as the main entry and exit route. The egress window serves as a backup escape route.
Rooms that aren't used for sleeping don't require egress windows under building code. However, adding one to your basement family room or home office can:
Basic maintenance includes:
Not if installed properly. Professional installation with appropriate drainage prevents water infiltration. In fact, a well-installed egress window with proper drainage often causes fewer water problems than the alternative of not having adequate ventilation in your basement.
At Country Creek Builders, we understand that navigating building codes, permits, and safety requirements can feel overwhelming when you're trying to create your dream basement. That's why we position ourselves as your guide through every step of the process.
Step 1: We meet with you to understand your vision for your finished basement and discuss how you plan to use the space.
Step 2: Our in-house design team creates a comprehensive plan that includes all code-required elements, including properly positioned egress windows.
Step 3: We handle all permitting and work directly with local building officials to ensure compliance.
Step 4: Our full-time employee team (not subcontractors) completes your project with consistent quality and accountability.
Step 5: We schedule and attend all required inspections, addressing any concerns immediately.
25+ years of experience finishing basements throughout the South Metro Twin Cities
586+ completed projects means we've solved every challenge multiple times
Full-service design-build approach eliminates coordination headaches between designers and contractors
In-house design services ensure your egress windows and all other elements are planned correctly from the start
Full-time employee craftsmen provide consistent quality and accountability
Clear pricing tiers help you understand costs before you commit
Whether you're in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Rosemount, or anywhere else in the South Metro, we're ready to help you create a beautiful, safe, code-compliant finished basement.
Don't let confusion about egress windows and building codes delay your plans for a finished basement. Country Creek Builders handles all the technical details while you focus on enjoying your new space.
Contact us today for a no-pressure consultation. We'll visit your home, discuss your vision, answer all your questions about egress windows and code requirements, and provide you with a clear, detailed plan for your basement remodeling project.
Your satisfaction with our work is our #1 priority, and we don't just talk about accountability—we prove it with every project we complete.
We're based out of the South Metro Twin Cities, and we serve both
