Window Wells

If you are hoping to remodel your basement, chances are that you will need to build a window well. Fortunately, these can overlap your property line setbacks, but it is still a lot of work. Ken Shannon of Cascade Concrete Cutting cut the openings for me, and Seth Truby formed up the concrete window well structure on the outside, and he also helped me install the window when it arrived! I actually built two window wells in addition to the new basement entrance door, so my basement doesn't feel like a basement at all anymore... it's very bright and cozy.

Here you can see one basement bedroom with the window installed, and you can also see the concrete window well beyond. There are some important Code requirements to keep in mind on window wells. First, the sill of your new window must be no higher than 44-in. above the finish floor. You are allowed (in the City of Portland) to build a permanent step 12-in. high right under the window if you need to. Second, the window must allow for emergency escape and there are specific dimensions to meet that requirement. Overall, the window must offer a minimum of 5 sf of clear open area. In addition to that, the window must meet certain minimum dimensions - 24-in. tall and 20-in. wide. Also, the window well must have at least 3-ft. clear perpendicular from the window to the concrete.